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Re: Auto Transport Trailers

To: shop-talk@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Auto Transport Trailers
From: Andy Poling <andy@globalauctions.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 22:23:09 -0400 (EDT)
On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, John T. Blair wrote:
> At 01:06 PM 4/12/99 -0400, Art Pfenninger wrote:
> >
> >     In the past I have rented large utility trailers, single axle, no
> >brakes, to haul both MG's and TR3's. You can get as fancy as you want but
> >as long as the trailer will hold the weight why spend the money?
> 
> It can be done, but if you going to get a trailer I really suggest that you
> get a tandom wheel with electric brakes.  I prefer the brake system that 
> is tied to your tow vechile vise the surge brakes.
> 
> I used to have a single axle trailer year ago.  I was towing my
> brother-in-laws
> MGB home (he blew the clutch - about 100 mi from home).  About 1/2 way home
> for no apparent reason - that I could see - it started to wipe.  I was doing
> 60mph at the time!  Getting worse and worse.  When this happens you CAN'T 
> touch the brakes or you're history.  The tow car was a 67 Olds 98 LS.  I 
> punched it and at about 90mph finally managed to pull the trailer back
> inline.  

What John didn't say (but it's between the lines) is that electric trailer
brakes can be used to stabilize the trailer in these situations.  Surge
brakes can't (though I've pulled a trailer with them, and they worked
remarkably well for stopping), and non-existent trailer brakes definitely
can't.

-Andy (don't own a trailer - that's what friends are for! :-)

72 Pantera - Rocky             91 Miata - Steve                 96 A4Q - Rudolf
80 928 - Phantom               97 Miata - Nadia                84 RZ350 - Sting



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