Posted by Tim Offutt on April 14, 1999 at 06:24:37:
In Reply to: I'm smarter'n you 'cause I've already done all the dumb things you're about to do posted by David on April 13, 1999 at 22:29:01:
Everything I stated is based on using a quality trailer. The last time I've rented a trailer and had everything go right was two weekends ago. I have never had a problem with a rental trailer. I don't rent trailers from gas stations, ie; Ryder, U-haul etc. I rent from commercial rental houses, the same ones that rent to professional contractors and haulers. Do you think a professional would tolerate renting a piece of equipment and have it break down everytime they use it? The trailer I rent and the trailer I own both have a separate braking systems, complete with breakaway protection. If you read my post I stated only if the trailer had sufficient brakes. I would never haul anything without trailer brakes. I guess I am dumber than you as I've logged thousands of miles towing vehicles and heavy industrial machinery without a mishap. If a person relies on the truck brakes to stop his load he is going to have problems, I agree, but that is not what I said. The big three aoto makers don't publish a tow rating for a given vehicle without extensive testing. If it states that a large Expedition or Suburban type vehicle can tow a set weight it will. That is why they sell tow packages with transmission coolers and other items. The drivetrain is engineered for the specified load. They would not leave themselves open for the liabilty lawsuits from an incorrect statemnet if at all posssible. As a last statement, all this is predicated on having the proper WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION and GOOD BRAKES.