So, about that tongue weight thing...

"Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen" (distraxi) 03/20/2020 at 02:55 • Filed to: TRAILERLOPNIK

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Some of you may recall Hammerheadfistpunch explaining in glorious detail the physics of trailer stability a few months back.

Well it turns out that the critical stability speed of a single axle 8x5 trailer with about negative 250lbs tongue weight, when towed behind an unladen 2004 Mitsubishi Pajero..... is about 55mph.

I knew that the C of G position was pretty darn iffy and was keeping the speed down, but let it creep a little high on the freeway. Fortunately a long load like this doesn’t wag the tail overly fast, and I was able to slow it back down and get it straight before it got too exciting. B ut I can certainly see how getting in that situation with a big-ass boat or a load of gravel could get real interesting real quick.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 03/20/2020 at 06:42

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Glad to see the experimental lesson in physics didn’t kill you.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 03/20/2020 at 07:51

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Yep... that’s why I pay $25 extra for delivery by a truck

oldmxer > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 03/20/2020 at 10:32

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the first time i experienced this and finished changing underwear , made it the last time i hope

shop-teacher > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 03/20/2020 at 11:04

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Money well spent.

shop-teacher > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 03/20/2020 at 11:05

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Gadamn dude!

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 03/20/2020 at 14:37

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It’d be more Ike $300 for me - I’m a good hour’s drive from the cheap lumber place. 

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > shop-teacher 03/20/2020 at 15:26

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Aah, it wasn’t that bad, more a “So that’s what it feels like ” moment. Would no doubt have been worse if I didn’t know the correct response is to get on the brakes not (God help us) “power it straight” as I’ve heard people advocating.

The closest I came to injury was actually unhooking it, which I had to do because I needed the Paj for something else before I could unload. I knew it was tail heavy but I hadn’t realized just how tail heavy - e ven with the wife sitting on the front of the load, when I unhooked the tow hitch smacked up into the bottom of the spare wheel before I could get enough o f my body weight on it . Came within an inch or so of a crushed finger.

shop-teacher > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 03/20/2020 at 16:53

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Unhooking that sounds terrifying!

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > shop-teacher 03/20/2020 at 17:26

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Ah well, if some of us didn’t do dumb shit occasionally, we’d all still be sitting up in the trees 

shop-teacher > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 03/20/2020 at 18:39

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How dare you sir! I have never ever done anything stupid! ...

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

Glad you got away with it! :)

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 03/21/2020 at 05:16

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Yeah but I don't buy cheap lumber... everything I use comes from the forest around me. I'm chasing some ironbark posts at the moment...200x200...$75 per metre...