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Old 26-07-2007, 04:08   #1
Building a Bateau TW28
 
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Can a Blazer tow a 5th wheel?

Apparently YES! I know it's not boating related but alot of us tow and trailer our boats. I just had to share this one! You have to admire this guys creativity in getting this rig together! I don't see any safety chains though!





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Old 26-07-2007, 07:32   #2
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Wow, I can't call that creative, although a few other words come to mind...
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Old 26-07-2007, 08:58   #3
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A farmers rig

I sure hope he's not taking it off his property. A citation would be in order, let alone the risk to the public!

One speed bump and it'll crush that tailgate, not to memtion the steering capibilities.
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Old 26-07-2007, 09:37   #4
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Accident Waiting to Happen . . .

Is the genius who cobbled this future disaster together named Homer Simpson?

Seriously, that is one of the most dangerous setups I've ever seen. The tongue weight of a fifth wheel is designed to bear on the attachment to the tow vehicle directly over the rear wheels, and should neither lift the rear-end nor elevate the front-end of the vehicle through leverage. It's clear that the tow vehicle in the picture will have lost a great deal of its steering and handling capabilities.

From a towing website, Tips for Safe Trailer Towing - Proper Weight and Balance, I quote the following passage:

"For a fifth-wheel setup, the tongue weight can go up to 15% to 25% of the loaded trailer weight. And what if tongue weights are outside these limits? Less results in a tendency to lift the rear of the tow vehicle resulting in loss of rear wheel traction. Over leads to excessive weight placed on the vehicle which can damage the drivetrain and suspension as well as result in poor handling due to an unfavorable front/rear weight distribution for the tow vehicle."

I hope that isn't your rig, KB!

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Old 26-07-2007, 12:06   #5
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Wow. That is nuts!
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Old 26-07-2007, 12:21   #6
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I doubt he could take it anywhere. I think he will find that out as soon as he goes to turn for the first time. Me thinks that is a straight line vehicle only :-)
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Old 26-07-2007, 12:34   #7
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Wonder what this guy's sailboat looks like....


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Old 26-07-2007, 13:15   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markpj23
Wonder what this guy's sailboat looks like....



Whewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.... Nothing even remotely nautical there until Mark's comment ..... Saved for another day.

Seriously - I'm gonna pull this thread and put it into a circular file ... and then have that guy in the blazer drive it off. (tomorrow).
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Old 26-07-2007, 13:39   #9
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Only IF you're married to your cousin.
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Old 26-07-2007, 19:57   #10
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Thumbs up Let it Be

Isn't this explicitly why we have an off-topic forum?

And, unlike some things that wind up here, there is a tangential connection to sailing: as Rick pointed out, many of us have towed in the past, or still do tow in the course of pursuing our wet dreams.

Actually, TaoJones's discussion of tongue weight & its relation to safe towing (not to mention the link he provided) is very applicable, & could be very helpful to someone who, like our unnamed shadetree engineer whose photo we're laughing at, suffers from an imbalance of enthusiasm over discretion.

Remove it? I'd rather laugh at this than read someone's political rant.

Just my "tow" cents' worth.

P.S.— I'd be just as worried about a tire blowing out as I would trying to steer above 5mph. Sometimes you just wanna be the state trooper that sees things like this roll by you. I bet they carry cameras so their buddies will accept what comes after "You guys won't believe what I wrote up today…" back at the station.
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Old 26-07-2007, 21:53   #11
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Yeah - this one's got something for everyone. Even the wooden boat boys will appreciate that 4x4 supporting the tailgate!
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Old 26-07-2007, 22:13   #12
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It is on topic. There is a Boat. It's connected to the back of the camper. Unfortunatly just out of view of the shot. ;-)
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Old 27-07-2007, 00:18   #13
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Yeah and you should see how the boats hooked on.........
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Old 27-07-2007, 00:35   #14
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I really think that it's not for towing.It looks more like a home made job for placeing it somewhere hard for a bigger rig to fit into.Sorry to poop on the thread.Even someone married to his cousin wouldn't really tow it anywhere.I see the plates are from Utah,the van sure could carry a lot of wives thou.Mudnut.
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