Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

goeduck · Apr 25, 2021

Redlands Okie said:
View attachment 696031

I stopped and offered to help set it back up on the hitch. He mentioned that the guy that hooked it up must have done it wrong. I told him that was to bad, since the driver is always the one responsible and would get the blame. The safety chains were hooked up and other than the hitch not being latched no damage to the trailor. Back of the trucks bumper has a few dents He said he had a mechanic coming who would have the tools to hook it back up correctly.

I bet he did it himself and did not latch it down. A mechanic is going to bring tools to hook it up correctly? Good thing he attached the safety chains

bcp · Apr 25, 2021

European tow ratings are around twice those in the US for the same cars.

Bruce

ptsg · Apr 25, 2021

bcp said:
European tow ratings are around twice those in the US for the same cars.

Bruce

But then again, we're limit to 7700 lbs max and we've only 3 maybe 4 pickup trucks available in the market rated that high. While you guys can tow a looooot more with pickup trucks.

bcp · Apr 25, 2021

Why Tow Ratings are Different in the EU vs. the US

A question that has come up in regards to not just Prius, but other car models as well, is answered in this article. And also concisely by a poster in...

priuschat.com

and

Bruce

ptsg · Apr 25, 2021

bcp said:
Why Tow Ratings are Different in the EU vs. the US

A question that has come up in regards to not just Prius, but other car models as well, is answered in this article. And also concisely by a poster in...

priuschat.com

and

Bruce

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

One thing the guy is wrong in the video is the common use of electric brakes in Europe. That's simply not true. Most trailers will have overrun brakes and not electric brakes. Electric brakes on trailers are actually very hard to find.

The overrun brakes do work pretty good though and when reversing, it will automatically disable the brakes. The only con I've find is that if I'm coming down a mountain with a loaded trailer, that weight will basically push the trailer and drag the brakes the entire time.

5030 · Apr 25, 2021

Called 'surge' brakes here. The master cylinder mounts on a sliding tongue with the ball clamp.

ptsg · Apr 25, 2021

5030 said:
Called 'surge' brakes here. The master cylinder mounts on a sliding tongue with the ball clamp.

We don't use hydraulic brakes here. Just cable operated drum brakes.

I believe hydraulic ones are available but just as rare as the electric ones.

BigBlue1 · Apr 25, 2021

Surge brakes are generally pretty good but they are not very desirable in winter driving conditions, especially hilly/mountainy conditions. If the tow vehicle can't generate much braking force in icy/slippery conditions it isn't enough force against the trailer to activate the trailer's brakes and you end up with a real mess. At least with electric brakes the trailer's brakes will activate as much as you're applying the tow vehicle brakes.

Rob

BackRoad · Apr 25, 2021

Redlands Okie said:
View attachment 696031

I stopped and offered to help set it back up on the hitch. He mentioned that the guy that hooked it up must have done it wrong. I told him that was to bad, since the driver is always the one responsible and would get the blame. The safety chains were hooked up and other than the hitch not being latched no damage to the trailor. Back of the trucks bumper has a few dents He said he had a mechanic coming who would have the tools to hook it back up correctly.

It's people like you who made OK a great state to live in for 22 years!!

Renze · Apr 25, 2021

BigBlue1 said:
Surge brakes are generally pretty good but they are not very desirable in winter driving conditions, especially hilly/mountainy conditions. If the tow vehicle can't generate much braking force in icy/slippery conditions it isn't enough force against the trailer to activate the trailer's brakes and you end up with a real mess. At least with electric brakes the trailer's brakes will activate as much as you're applying the tow vehicle brakes.

Rob

That depends on how you set it up. I put smaller tires on mine, without switching over the eccentric hinge point on the overrun head to use the longer lever, so it brakes hard. Might wear some more pads but i like it braking as hard as my car.