RVKI - see "Long ago ... "

> I found some trailer hitches for my car at about $150. 
> But the issue I
> have now is looking at the recomendations for speed of the 
> trailers, most
> say no more than 45mph.
>
> I put a bit of weight behind that, as I have seen many 
> trailers bouncing
> about and weaving back and forth behind cars moving at 
> high speed. And
> once I even saw one get so out of control it came loose 
> and smashed
> through a guard rail and down a steep hill.  Oops!

What Jake says BUT if you ever do get bad trailer weaving 
then ACCELERATING seems to help :-).
(If you are trying to brake at the time this may not be an 
option :-). )
Testing the stability and playing with load distribution may 
help.

45 mph may slow you down somewhat BUT on a long trip its 
amazing how much more you can see at a very slow speed. As 
this is a once only occasion for you it may be a worthwhile 
experience going slow.

Long ago we almost ripped the front subframe out of a 
Cortina by bashing it on a rock ledge while descending Mt 
Tarawera - a story in its own right. Frame hung in there by 
the tips of the bush holders. Acted like a grader on gravel 
roads. The local AA man said he had to advise us to get it 
repaired where we were. But then he added soto voce, 'if it 
was mine I'd drive it back,     but slowly'. Which is what 
we did. Under ?200? miles but at 30 mph the whole way. 
Summer. Windows open, laid back, rolling picnic. With our 
children. We deemed that it was safe enough at that speed 
that if the subframe actually fell out it would only be 
'exciting'. My wife is not a vast risk taker and she was 
happy. The trip was an amazing experience as we saw so very 
much more than usual and felt a part of the local scene as 
we travelled through. After a while 30 mph feels almost like 
walking. Well worth doing, once anyway. TransAm at 45 mph 
may be 'a little slow' but if you make it an event in its 
own right it could be worthwhile.


        Russell


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