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lambert.the.farmer



Member Since: 11 Apr 2012
Location: harrogate
Posts: 2006
England 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi PU Rutland Red
Tow ball projection beyond back axle.
Hi, I need to get my head round the dynamic effects of the projection of the tow ball beyond the back axle as related to driveability of the combo. If for argument the car and trailer are identical each time and the rig rides level with a suitable nose weight and balanced load, as I understand it with a short distance from the axle to the ball the apparent vertical load on the axle is reduced because of the shorter lever action thus the front axle is not being unweighted as much and vice versa for a longer tow ball projection the rear experiences more load and the front gets lighter and stability is reduced. Correct? When applied to cornering the same longer lever action is equally unsettling on the car as the trailer tries to push on against the turning car. Obviously there's a lot of physics at play here but generally the shorter the rearwards projection of the tow ball the more stable the rig? Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
Post #672599 22nd Dec 2017 6:47am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4218
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
I think that’s about right, certainly I think about in the same way Thumbs Up 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #672601 22nd Dec 2017 7:36am
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lambert.the.farmer



Member Since: 11 Apr 2012
Location: harrogate
Posts: 2006
England 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi PU Rutland Red
Thumbs Up Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
Post #672602 22nd Dec 2017 7:38am
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ARC99



Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1831
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Cairns Blue
You are correct in your thinking except you missed out on the coefficient of friction of the front tyres.

When I swapped the Disco mk1 for the current 110 I found that the caravan could easily cause the front to slide when cornering on roads I have used for over 30 years ,I now have to reduce the cornering speed by approx. 10 M.P.H.

On the subject of levers , a friend with a Disco mk1 and a lighter caravan found the unit totally unstable after his wife and him took up cycling and took them everywhere with them when caravanning. He added a demountable cycle rack to the tow bar with a 2" spacer in between the rack and the tow bar and a 2" spacer between the rack and tow ball the distance totalled 5" which included the rack., this distance made it easier for the weight of the caravan and that of the bikes and rack to remove sufficient weight of the front wheel to make the unit unstable even in a straight line. Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place,
so it doesn't take much to Censored us off.

Richard
Post #672628 22nd Dec 2017 11:07am
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discomog



Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2531
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
I think lambert's logic is correct. However, as we all know there is more to take into consideration for successful and safe towing. Making sure the trailer is level, making sure the nose weight is correct, loading the trailer correctly, making sure the load cannot move, adjusting tyre pressures of the towing vehicle. Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8
Post #672643 22nd Dec 2017 1:07pm
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lambert.the.farmer



Member Since: 11 Apr 2012
Location: harrogate
Posts: 2006
England 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi PU Rutland Red
Towing livestock trailers as I do teaches the merits of having everything as perfect as possible because the sheep will move about even if only a bit they can't not. Hence wanting to make sure I have as neutral a combination as possible and if that means a new towbar with a significantly shorter rear projection then that is what it needs, my prime stock is too valuable to be taking unnecessary risks with. Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
Post #672756 22nd Dec 2017 9:06pm
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