Towing stability studies

>If you can stand the size and poor gas milage, it's hard to go wrong
> with a pickup or commercial van with a solid axle and a factory tow
> package, BTW
>
> My suggestions/opinions only; your milage may vary.
>
> Ray Warshaw
> 1LK

I'm hoping for a solution to trailer sway in the Acura MDX that I am
waiting for delivery next week. The MDX has a Trailer Stability Assist
program included in the Vehicle Stability Assist system. Of course,
TSA doesn't fix whatever is causing the sway in the first place but at
least it should eliminate the effects. I've tried various solutions on
my trailer and the one with the greatest positive effect was inflating
the tires to max rated pressure. I think the fundamental problem on my
trailer is the wimpy torsion bar suspension.
Steve

On 26 Jan, 18:20, smpawl...@ wrote:
> >If you can stand the size and poor gas milage, it's hard to go wrong
> > with a pickup or commercial van with a solid axle and a factory tow
> > package, BTW
>
> > My suggestions/opinions only; your milage may vary.
>
> > Ray Warshaw
> > 1LK
>
> I'm hoping for a solution to trailer sway in the Acura MDX that I am
> waiting for delivery next week. The MDX has a Trailer Stability Assist
> program included in the Vehicle Stability Assist system. Of course,
> TSA doesn't fix whatever is causing the sway in the first place but at
> least it should eliminate the effects. I've tried various solutions on
> my trailer and the one with the greatest positive effect was inflating
> the tires to max rated pressure. I think the fundamental problem on my
> trailer is the wimpy torsion bar suspension.
> Steve

If you have an airfoil shaped fin box on the trailer try fitting a
'spoiler strip' to either side of the finbox!

I had a ventus B Turbo in a Komet II trailer that used to quietly
dance behind what was normally a perfect tow vehicle. The sway was
usually kicked off by a passing car or when overtaking a big rig or
bus on the motorway. Taping 2 25 mm aluminium right angles about 1m
long, vertically about 100mm behind the leading edge of the fin box
killed the horizontal lift on the box and transformed the handling.

I often got some very strange looks from other club members about it
but I swear it worked a treat.

Have you noticed how the boxes on new trailers are now square :)

At 17:48 27 January 2008, Nimbusgb wrote:
>Have you noticed how the boxes on new trailers are
>now square :)

If we're talking Cobra, isn't it just metal top - square,
grp top - curvy?

Indeed Ian

However, I think a lot of swaying trailer diseases is caused by vortex shedding.
Which is why architects tend not to make too symmetrical buildings.

This is usually triggered by a disturbance to the streamline flow - such as
passing a large vehicle.

Having a turbulator about 30% forward of the back of the trailer works very well
on mine. Don't know who fitted it - but there is a little (about 8mm high)
aluminium profile just ahead of the opening section. Probably fitted to deflect
water past the gap. Mine is a 1971 Anschou trailer with the little wing shaped
doghouse for the fin, but it tows very well.

nimbusgb wrote:
> Have you noticed how the boxes on new trailers are now square :)

At 17:48 27 January 2008, Nimbusgb wrote:
>Have you noticed how the boxes on new trailers are
>now square :)

If we're talking Cobra, isn't it just metal top - square,
grp top - curvy?

I did almost the same with my LAK trailer but used pop rivits and
sealer when I was towing with a Chevy Blazer. Without them, the rig
was dicy over 60 mph; after they were added it was rock-steady at
Arizona highway speeds (75 mph). The P/U I replaced the Blazer with
probably wouldn't have needed them, though.

Ray Warshaw
1LK

>
> I had a ventus B Turbo in a Komet II trailer that used to quietly
> dance behind what was normally a perfect tow vehicle. The sway was
> usually kicked off by a passing car or when overtaking a big rig or
> bus on the motorway. Taping 2 25 mm aluminium right angles about 1m
> long, vertically about 100mm behind the leading edge of the fin box
> killed the horizontal lift on the box and transformed the handling.
>
> I often got some very strange looks from other club members about it
> but I swear it worked a treat.

On 27 Jan, 19:20, John Galloway <jpg...@m> wrote:
> At 17:48 27 January 2008, Nimbusgb wrote:
>
> >Have you noticed how the boxes on new trailers are
> >now square :)
>
> If we're talking Cobra, isn't it just metal top - square,
> grp top - curvy?

The latest square finbox I saw was on a GRP top.

..
>
> Do you have any photos of this installation? I'm wondering if it'll
> help settle down my Komet.
>
> Jeremy

All my photos are of the gliders not the trailer ! :)

I taped a couple of pieces piece of angle, parallel to the leading
edge of the finbox, 4 inches or so behind the L/E and about 75% of the
height of the fin box.
I pop-riveted them on once I was convinced it all worked.

I'll sketch something if you want and mail it