Friday, Sep 17, 2010 at 10:51
William
As a lurker of the websites that you mention I have also noted the frequent attacks of the Euro van style vans such as the Geist. I have also noted that these attacks often originate from people who are either manufacturers or repairers of vans built to the traditional (Australian) method. I admit to being a cynical so and so, and take these claims with a grain of salt given the vested financial interests of these posters.
Given your obvious expertise in these in matters, could you please advise the following:
What is the ball weight of the Geist?
What was the ball weight of the van in question?
What is the recommended ball weight of the tow vehicle?
Where is the centre of gravity of a properly packed Geist?
What was the centre of gravity of the van in question?
What were the circumstances of the accident and why do you attribute this to the construction of the van?
What is your area of expertise for you to make such comments?
What van do you tow?
If you look at the Geist specifications, you would note that the ball weight of vans is between 6 and 8% of the tare weight; the norm for an Australian van is 10%. The van certainly does not have a 50% of the weight behind the wheels (a ball weight of 0 kg or negative ball weight).
I am not in a position to make any comment as to how the van in question was packed and I suggest neither do you.
WDH are an attempt to get the van and car balanced, so that the front wheels can steer, (and drive for front wheel drives) and handle in the manner in which the car was designed; they are effectively a bandaid solution to bring the tow vehicle up to operational norms for which they were designed. They are not the cure for all ills; a badly packed car or van is still a badly packed car or van with or without a WDH.
Rather than making half thought out attacks on a style of van, how about you present us with a fully researched argument on the forces involved in the towing an European and Australian style van on the tow vehicle, the effects of the use of a WDH and how this affects the handling characteristics of the tow vehicle and the van.
Basically, prove your allegations rather than relying on anecdotal evidence culled from other forums where some posters have vested interests in pushing their own opinions
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Follow Up By: Member - MYPRADO - Friday, Sep 17, 2010 at 22:43
Friday, Sep 17, 2010 at 22:43
I agree with you, i do not know any vans and cannot make any judgement as i have not tried these vans. I built many trailers and used them and had a rollover with van and trailer, fell asleep due to carbon dioxide seeping from rubbers coming from back doors, i have seen Australian manufactured vans wrecked by side of road and it was due to avoiding a roo.
Cheers.
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