Finally did some real towing!

[BMXPath]

Made a trip from Austin to Houston and back last weekend. Pulled a double axle, 18ft trailer with me. I took the trailer empty, and brought it back with a 24ft long BMX racing starting gate on it.

Here was the trailer, empty.



Here is how it looked after the gate was on it.





380 mile round trip. Interesting fuel consumption results... I reset my trip computer before I left. On the trip out, I stayed around 70 mph. My mpg was 17.4.
It was a slightly unstable load coming back since the gate hung off the back so much. Depending on the road conditions, I had to slow down to about 65 mph. My mpg increased to 18. I did not reset the trip computer on my way back, so it got UP to 18, from the 17.4.

[Gray]

Looks like the truck is sitting kind of low in the rear. I'm still surprised that some states are requiring front plates.

.

[BMXPath]

Texas has always required front plates.

[Fofiddy]

BMX how did the think the path ride was effected with the weight?

When I took mine (before the OME or even the Air Springs) to WV and back with a loaded 6x12 it rode surprizingly well considering it was pushed to this :

Dealing with the winds and rigs was a bit unnerving, especially towards the end of a 800mile shot.

I don't know if you tow that much, ever consider going with airbags (they improve the regular ride as welll, IMO)?

[BMXPath]

Fofiddy,

I hardly ever tow anything so I havent thought about airbags at all. As for the way the towing effected the Pfinder's ride, it wasnt too bad as long as I stayed under 70mph.
I think the only thing that made it awkward was the length of my towing load. Having a 24 foot metal gate on an 18 foot trailer, made it too heavy at the back of the trailer. When I would go over "bumpy" sections of highway, I had to slow down due to the rocking that would start. The rocking would go front to back, creating a "seesaw" between my car and the trailer.

[blink32]

Oh yea, the lovely "porpoise" effect.