TOWING ADVICE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31123, 28 July 1966, Page 14

TOWING ADVICE

"MANY drivers who have never towed a trailer or caravan worry needlessly when they first contemplate doing so. the Chrysler Corporation says in a list of hints for those planning to tow a trailer on their holiday. The problems are reduced to a minimum when three basic conditions are noted, the corporation says. Install a proper hitch between the trailer and the car. to spread the load evenly over the towing vehicle's length.: Match the trailer or caravan, to a tow-car with an adequate reserve of power, the correct' transmission and rear-axle ratio for the work. Ensure: that the trailer is loaded pro-! perly for even weight distri-i bution, which avoids the com-' bination "snaking" when in! motion. "Any competent motorist will quickly pick up the knack i of parking, turning and back-i ing once his equipment is properly set up. A little quiet | practice on a back road or in a deserted parking lot will add! to the operator’s skills,” says

the corporation. Towing a trailer imposes greater-than-normal strains on a vehicle’s body and transmission components. Because of this, the selection of an appropriate tow car should be governed by the loaded weight of the trailer. “If one is going to all the trouble of turning the family car into a tow car for trailer hauling, the frame-type load equaliser hitch attached to the underbody structure should I always be used. Use of the i rear-axle type hitch is not recommended because of the possible risk resulting from seriously overloading the rearaxle shafts, bearings, wheels and tyres. "The frame-type hitch is usually sold and installed by regular trailer dealers. With their own welding equipment, they are able to fabricate and install the entire unit, tailormade to match the different weight and size of cars selected for towing,” says the cor- ! porati on. With the proper equipment installed, cars usually need

very little special attention. It is best to select the heaviest car possible for the job, and also the largest engine. While the horsepower rating is important, it is the torque rating which counts most for towing. An engine which develops maximum torque at the lowest possible engine speed is best. With a manual-transmission car it is important to learn the driving speed at which the vehicle develops maximum torque in each gear so as to know what gear to use and at what speed to travel for most efficient pulling power. With an automatic transmission the engine runs at its most efficient speed automatically. “Often overlooked is the role that tyres play in easing towing stresses. Whenever possible a size larger than the one specified as original equipment should be fitted to the towing vehicle. When it is not possible to make such a modification, increase the air pressure in all tyres by a minimum of 41b per square inch,” says the corporation.

J3ROBABLY the best way to run in a new car is to plan a trip of 200 or more miles. Where possible choose flat running, and carry a reasonably light load. You will not run in a car correctly if you make it struggle along in top gear at low speed, with a heavy load of friends and relatives aboard. So perhaps just you and your family can get away some week-end and either go for a day trip of 100 miles or more, or maybe something a little more ambitious. For Canterbury residents there are two main choices for such a trip: south towards Invercargill, or north to sunny Nelson. The Invercargill drive involves mainly running on flat land which is best for the new engine: run-