mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Mar 14, 2016 11:45:42 GMT -8
Does do guys think this would make a good tow vehicle? detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/5483061726.html2006 Jeep Liberty V6 4x4 3.7L, I believe the towing capacity is 5000lbs but it could only be 3500. My google search is coming up with both. I did email and ask the owner. I would only be interested in purchasing if it is 5000lbs. They keep coming up in my price range in my tow vehicle search. Just wanted to see what you guys think about towing with it. Or if anyone has any experience towing with one. Also the ball hitch would have to stick out farther because of the spare tire, Does that effect towing at all?
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Post by Ross on Mar 14, 2016 12:47:18 GMT -8
We had one and I believe that ours had a tow capacity of 3500lbs. We pulled our Shasta Compact,at the time and it did fine, just got a lot of wind drag, due to the short wheel base of the Jeep. We did have to get an extended receiver, so we could hook up without interfering with the spare.
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Mar 14, 2016 15:45:05 GMT -8
I have head people talk about a long wheel base being better, but I didnt realize it effects wind drag? How does that work? is wheel base from side to side or do you mean front to back?
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Mar 14, 2016 16:17:57 GMT -8
Our Ford Ranger has a small wheel base and it would swing side to side (towing a Compact) when a truck passed or the wind was moving sideways. Or new truck is silly-big but it's very stable.
Our 3.0L engine was too small for even the Compact. 3.7L is as small as I would go.
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Post by Ross on Mar 15, 2016 3:07:12 GMT -8
I have head people talk about a long wheel base being better, but I didnt realize it effects wind drag? How does that work? is wheel base from side to side or do you mean front to back? I am sure that others will have a better explanation of wind drag, but this is my interpretation. Wind drag, I believe is when the head wind hits the front of the trailer and swirls downward, between the tow vehicle and the trailer and wheel base is from axle to axle. I just remember the wind drag with our Jeep. They do make wide deflectors that attach to the back roof area of the tow vehicle to help push the head winds up and over the trailer. I hear that these work very well. However, we now have a 2009 Toyota 4 Runner, wheel base is just a bit longer than the Jeep and we tow our 17' Starflyte (it is taller, wider and longer) with no real big issues.
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Mar 15, 2016 9:01:02 GMT -8
In general, the longer the trailer/vehicle combo, the smoother the airflow. Like when two race cars draft, the front car goes faster too, like it's now one long car (which was counter-intuitive to me, I mean they're not physically "connected"). Although I doubt it has as much effect on a trailer because that big fat trailer front is like dragging a parachute, and the airflow off the back of most trucks/SUVs/campers is not very aerodynamic, so you get turbulence between the two. These things are claimed to help a lot, by creating vortices that eliminate the turbulence coming off the back of the trailer or between truck and trailer. Seems to make sense, and they're less ugly than putting a big shroud on top like a tractor-trailer: www.airtab.com/
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Post by vikx on Mar 15, 2016 21:00:48 GMT -8
A friend of mine had a diesel Liberty and towed all over the country. (61 16' Terry) It did have some wind issues, but overall, she was very happy with the vehicle. It was rated at 5000lbs. I don't believe the gas rigs have that towing capacity, not sure.
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