Arch,
The real key to towing something is how well the rig handles and how well
it stops. Unfortunately, you won't really know either until you actually
try a combination yourself or know someone else that has. It seems that
adding braking capability to the toad is a critical part. Many "smallish"
vehicles (Subaru Outback, Chevy S-10 Blazer, etc.) today are rated for
towing 1000-2000 pounds as long as the thing being towed has its own
brakes. It seems as if these vehicles are commonly rated for towing about
1/4 to 1/3 of their own weight. This is a percentage that you should beat
even with a 3000 pound toad. As long as it handles good and you can get it
stopped in about the same distance with the toad on as with the toad off, I
don't think the weight really comes into play. As we found out with our
trailer, weight is not the most important factor. The weight balance is.
It was much more dangerous to drive after taking out 2500-3000 pounds than
it was with the weight because the handling suffered. The gas mileage also
didn't improve (the original reason we took the car and its supports out
for the trip).
On your other comment, I think it is pretty funny how the term "stock"
stays in racing even though the cars are not even close to what you can
buy. In NHRA we have Pro Stock. How many 500 cubic inch powered "stock"
cars are available at your local dealers? I haven't found any by me
. I
also love all the RWD "stock" cars that are derived from FWD street cars.
At least the NHRA sportsman classes of Stock and Super Stock are a little
more strict in what they allow to be changed. Super Stock still lets you
convert a FWD to RWD though. As to the dirt, I thought the good drivers
were the ones that could keep it on the track and out of the dirt
. I
know I'd be pretty upset if our cars went into the sand trap at the end of
the track all the time
.
Zak
>Zak
>
>I keep thinking about your 10,000 pound trailer when someone says
>my little toad at 2700 pounds is to heavy. BTW only built one drag
>machine in my shop. The rest were machines for the ovals. My first
>stock car was a 49 Ford flat head. The stuff they do today on asphalt
>is not stock car racing. Men drive on dirt.
>
>Take Care
>Arch
atri63
