Heavy Towing in Depth: The Applied Physics Deep-dive | Auto Expert John Cadogan

[@stanstevens3783]

“There’s no coming back from it being a hinge”- gotta love it!

[@orangejuicepony6881]

Love the timing of the "save thousands on a new car" card

[@terryheimerl8674]

I am a student of physics (67 yrs old) and the way you presented this video was in realm of great instructors such as Julius Sumner Miller and Neil DeGrass Tysonthe. You made learning interesting and unforgettable. May I say MALS again mate!

[@chrissteer3733]

I would have done so much better at school if shit was explained to me like this

[@tonyr6751]

Perhaps. But don't discount the complimentary value of real world experience that you've gained since in assisting with the comprehension of the theory.

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Wow John that was certainly a different feeling to your normal videos. It was a lot more refined without so much of the piss taking and very well explained. I would like to just make a couple of points. You said that when the airbags go off you won’t remember it and that a crash at over 60km/h is hit and miss as to whether or not you survive. You are so right on both accounts as in April 2020 my wife and I were hit head on by a car with a drug affected driver that crossed onto our side of the road. We were in a 2010 VE ute and he and his mate were in a 1998 Kia Rio , we were travelling at 80km/h and him probably more. I didn’t have time to even get my foot to the brake pedal and he didn’t bother. I remember absolutely nothing of the airbags deploying and yes it was fatal as the two in the Kia were both killed. The two things that saved our lives were physics, our car was bigger than his, and the safety devices built into the car. Looking at photos months later I could see how the safety cell was still in shape even though inside the cabin looked like a bomb had gone off. The impact even creased both rear quarters above the wheel arches. Yes we were smashed up pretty bad and still have a long recovery road ahead but we survived with mainly lots of broken bones. We replaced the VE with a brand new Sahara to improve the odds and chose the Sahara it was the only Cruiser to offer all the safety gear. Most of my friends were surprised when I said no I won’t be getting a bull bar. Like you I don’t like them. I don’t like the look of them and I would hate to hit a pedestrian with one of those on the front. I can’t figure out how they’re still legal when car manufacturers have to design their cars to mitigate pedestrian injuries. I’ve had other Land Cruises over a period of thirty years all fitted with a bull bar and traveled to a lot of remote places yet I’ve never hit anything. Luck has played a part but so has the advice you gave. I tried to always off the road by mid afternoon and never drove at night and I like my sleep to much to be up and away early. Of course I got the same question “what if you hit a kangaroo” and my answer is “that’s what insurance is for”. Lastly one thing caravan owners, me included, can do to reduce the risk of your van getting a dose of the wobbles and throwing you of the road and landing upside down in a ditch is to fit stability control to the van. Most new vans either come with it or it’s optional and there are several brands offering kits that can be retro fitted to older vans. Thanks for an excellent presentation. Cheers Stuart.

[@webmonkey44]

in saying this being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a vehicle that was disabled only because you didnt have a bullbar to keep your living ass trucking until you can get somewhere it can get repaired is nice, especially offroad. i lost windscreen wipers when i really needed them in a remote place without mobile coverage once only because i lacked a bullbar. a bullbar would have made getting home a whole lot safer

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

The lockdown in the Knee of Syd isn't all bad news, especially if it means that John is making more deep-dive beer garden physics content. Yessssssssssssss!

[@TheMelbournelad]

I think cccxccouuugghhhh wwhhheeeeze I agree

[@chrisa4853]

With lockdown now in sheepshagastan, Im thankful for John's channel. Now back to online shopping, just wish there was JC merch.

[@MihaiBaboi1]

So I’m watching the video thinking to myself: “What’s all of this bleeding from the ears, stuff? This doesn’t seem so hard to understand.” And then it hits me: it’s not that this is so simple to understand. It’s the way you manage to put it in terms that a dum-dum like me can understand (at least at the most shallow of levels). Thank you, John. I must say, beer garden physics is hands down my favorite content from this channel :)

[@andrewd7586]

I had a classic, well disturbing situation unfold in front of me today in Maryborough, rural Victoria. Whilst travelling through said town, no lockdown for us rurally, I was behind a small single cab tray ute. The old guy was towing a box trailer with a industrial cube water container holding I’m guessing up to a 1,000L/1000kg. From the outset it was bloody obvious the weight he was towing was too heavy for his vehicle. As he continued in front of me at 60kph, I thought this could turn nasty. As he came to a corner to turn off, I could see he was not only going too fast but also braked too late. As he turned the corner, the laden trailer just unhitched complete from his small tray ute & shot up the road in front of me at speed! Eventually gravity on the trailer steered it to off the sealed road, the chassis submerged into the gravel & launched the water storage container into the air! The trailer bucked a few times before flipping onto its top. The whole time which was maybe 5-10 seconds, the old guy continued down the side street not even realising he’d lost his bloody trailer. I pulled over to assess the situation, & he was nowhere to be seen. Another driver pulled over, & said he’d call the police. Thankfully the trailer & said load were completely off the road.

[@kerrietimms7668]

100% agree!! Was towing my 23” 1/2’ 2.8t van with a Hemi powered Jeep. Plenty of power and comfort it mostly towed with ease. One scary moment descending the snowy mountains at 20- 30kmh and I realised what I really already knew. Also found out what I should have known. It is not a car you can trust to get there. Most unreliable car and terrible after sales. I now have an old F250 that was an off roader’s dream. I’ve had it brought back to a standard lift, got rid of the ridiculous 317 s and sold the Bull bar. Not a great environmental choice and I’ll pay a penalty on fuel and parking I know, but at least the tail won’t wag the dog so much ( I hope 🤞). Keep up the great info and I hope it sinks in a bit. Cheers Mark Mark

[@dennispenascoza1790]

Seeing John explaining a very informative and important topic and not mocking around or saying things that make us laugh, Im not used to it.😁👍

[@bradworthington8594]

Bloody good video John more subdued than normal 😂. This should be compulsory viewing for all who are thinking of getting into towing and get fed bullshit from multiple sources. 👍

[@77gravity]

37:00 Bullbars - the eternal compromise between "animal impact" and "head-on with another vehicle, or a tree". We spent a long time deciding on this one, and I freely admit that I'd prefer the "no bar" option, as most of the time our 4x4 is on-road, in traffic and motorway driving. But recently a skippy lost the argument with the bull-bar, "out bush", and without the bar the damage would have been considerable (disabled the vehicle). As it was, nothing more than some cracked plastic (inspected by installer to be certain of no frame damage).and the number plate took yet another hit. If you never "go bush" then a bullbar is just a wank.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Thanks for that. This has been a debate for me for a while too. As it is, my current tug has a nudge bar, so not sure if this is a good compromise between BB and no BB. Its a standard fitment from the manufacturer and looks like its beefy enough, including the mounting points on the chassis, but like you, I guess time will tell. I figure I can always bend a fender that's been crushed onto the wheel to get me out of a pickle.

[@dougstubbs9637]

Last sentence is gospel. Toorak tractor stuff. When I first met the Child Bride, her ride was an XB Chooktin Wagon, and a bloody big made in and for use around Cunnamulla Alloy Bullbar. Designed to allow you to complete your trip after a roo strike. And no Skippy ever got up again to go back to the Ranger Station to tell Sonny all about the experience. My point is, that bar was a menace, actually annoying in town. But at 120+, out there, needed. BTW, the XB was the last good Ford. Prove me wrong.

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

If you think about it, a kangaroo is just a funny-shaped crash test dummy. It's still a big fleshy animal hitting the front of the vehicle, which engineers have already designed for hitting big fleshy homosapiens.

[@dougstubbs9637]

Skippy was a stinking New South Wales Kangeroo anyway, cause Matt Hammonds’ XW wagon had a Thanks Warra, Tar on the doors. I had the hots for Clancy but.

[@davidvoss1508]

@@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars like a cyclist only more rational and more lovable, right?

[@patrickmaher4909]

Just got home from a 17k km trip towing our 2019 Jayco Silverline with our Ford Everest. The is our second caravan, and we have learn to downsize, not take gear that you never use. We no longer take a generator, only basis tools. The full loaded rig was put over a weight bridge before we left. The vehicle has been left standard, but for a brake controller. We had a great trip, avoiding the winter months in Perth. John's comments about tyres are so true, you end up with a nice ride with lower road noise.

[@drcovell]

Smart man! Your survivors won’t have to try to get your life insurance payment!

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Finally! An episode about towing! 😃

[@carlray7224]

Knows his stuff and even better is a competent communicator. Intelligence on display. Thanks!

[@kenoath5650]

Would be educational to give people an idea of weights and forces of trucks. This could help people drive accordingly around heavy vehicles. A lot of people don't know that a loaded B Double weighs in at around 63 Tonne . I have had people ask questions about trucks at Servo's and when you tell them that it's 6o odd Tonne they're blown away , they have no idea. Good video mate.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

But now we know! Thanks Ken, I knew the buggers were heavy, but no numbers to go by.

[@mmikee407]

That’s one of the must see informative video for everyone who sat or contemplate sitting behind a wheel including D shaped ones to drive a vehicle whether he will ever intend to make the sojourn to Dingo Piss creek or won’t. I haven’t finished viewing the entire video yet but sampling the first few minutes tell you about the whole video.

[@barrythomas6429]

I was once towing a car trailer with a barred out speedway car on it, when it started to fishtail rather violently while going down an incline.. Instinct said accelerate, but self preservation said brake heavily so that when it rolls over , it will be at reduced speed. I chose brake heavily and eventually the wild fishtailing stopped. Lesson learnt..slow down to a sensible speed when towing.

[@myyoutubename152]

Get an electric trailer brake controller! Just grab the manual override and it'll stop sway ;)

[@LZYEYEST0081]

Good work. This will see me through till 11 when Gladys covid bingo starts. Yessssssss! 🤣

[@petercross8620]

Thank you for this excellent video and for explaining a complex topic in a way I could understand. This should be mandatory viewing for anyone towing a trailer that is heavy enough to require trailer brakes.

[@billtimmons7071]

Whenever you have "physics" in the title I'm watching the video. I love this stuff. I kept pausing the video to read your T-shirt .. so many memories! I like some of the electrical symbols .. maybe a parody of us "sparky" types? P.S. I drove the big 18 wheelers in "murica" and I know they dont compare to some of the multi-trailer trucks in Oz, but I had harder times backing boat trailers than the big rigs. They were so "squirrely" compared the big stable tractor-trailer rigs, so take your comments about stability to heart. Well done explanation of the physics .. you should teach if your journalism carrier dries up :)

[@HypocriticYT]

When I draw the engineering theory of towing I draw the actual thing when it goes wrong. A plate of spaghetti shows the directions one goes in once losing control

[@Stefan-mg5gl]

Dear John, applause - even standing ovations to your explanaitions. I studied geology/paläontoöogy with the focus on climatology/claciology. That includes physics, mathamatics an so on. Yet, being more passionized for driving on ice and snow than analizing it I do work as commercial driver. If it comes to of "fanboy-arguments" around the detail "overhang" in tow-discussions in campers', boaters' or even truckers' beergardens, I did notice this: the less knowledge of physics and the less skills in driving somebode actually has, the more the idea of "overhang" is supported with rage and blood. And the reason for that is this: if you put your gear in reverse with a trailer hooked to the towball, then it's going to go more easy to taxi around the longer the "overhang" is and the more fanboy of an as long as possible "overhang" the driver is under all circunstances thinkable while driving. Dunning-Krüger at its best.

[@microulisninjaful]

I can't believe this kind of content is free! John has been teaching me the kind of physics I love for the past three years and I get it served with a great portion of humour and smiling! What more can a man ask for? (Ming moles not considered...)

[@hsvstuff435]

Hi John, Love your videos and educated technical explanation and analysis. I tow a 3200kg caravan behind a 105 series Landcruiser (yes I know) and have long grappled with blue knuckle syndrome due to the inherent instability of the system. I have towed around Australia a couple of time and have come up with a theory as to why my knuckles turn blue. I have an electronic engineering background (not mechanical) so I may be dilutional (for one reason or another). The problem which I have encountered is a fundamental instability in the tow "system" (tow vehicle with attached caravan), primarily at highway speed. I agree that all the elements you have highlighted play a part in this instability, however I suggest the "primary" issue for the instability is that a positive feedback loop exist between the caravan and tow vehicle. The positive feedback exists because the hitch point of the caravan is located behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. A random yaw moment in the caravan causes a yaw moment in the tow vehicle with an opposite angle of rotation. As the tow vehicle corrects itself (naturally or from driver input), with a yaw moment in the opposite direction, this rotation is transferred back to the caravan with an direction of rotation opposite to the initial yaw moment. Hence producing a positive feedback loop with a potential runaway characteristic. This is why you see these videos of a caravan or boat oscillating a couple of times and then swaying so violently that they end up rolling over. If the hitch point was to be located in front of the rear axle the feedback loop would be negative and hence any yaw moment induced into the tow vehicle would produce a self damping affect. I suggest this is also why semi-trailers the "fifth wheeler" configurations are stable. All right I can handle it, dish it out, I am ready for it..... OR If I am right then you must be ..... well ..... ? Regards Eddy

[@indodaemdaka]

I find installing a 5th wheel on double cabs to be quite difficult because as John puts it, the rear axle is practically in the passenger area or very close to it. So getting the vertical loading precisely on the drive axle is not gonna be easy, considering that you must also include the “interference” aspect where the trailer tracks the tow vehicle.

[@royblackburn1163]

Semi trailer's have the axle at the back which eliminates sway.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Your education service John, is exceptional and a community service bar none. Thanks.

[@frednurks8528]

Great episode John. Your example of explaining inertia was brilliant. Just an inclusion of uniform density with the comment on dimensions would make it more complete.

[@mikecaton7550]

John, that was one if the best videos you’ve done. Ive sent it to my caravanning friends I HATE THEM). Too many years of bring stuck behind them between QLD and VIC. Love your content. Michael Caton.

[@attilajuhasz2526]

Johnny! What a coincidence! I was just about to check if I have a YT physics/maths notification...

[@sd3457]

As a Physics teacher, I'm just enjoying watching someone who is really good at my job.

[@AutoExpertJC]

Thank you, S D. Occupational hazard...

[@iandibley2985]

Very informative video many people towing large vans are in denial with regard to weights , recently weighing our LC 200 & van on the Sunshine Coast the guy operating the scales mentioned the towies are directed to bring the car and van to the scales for weighing after a major accident .result over loaded =no insurance. I am more than happy my van weight is 2480 kg fully loaded LC was 3.100 kg.cheers Ian.

[@jukelong3494]

Great video John, thank you for laying it out in a way so that i can make sure our setup is as safe as is possible.

[@supersami7748]

Ok, don’t laugh! I’m a retired shop owner in the US, I ran across John’s channel about 5 years ago and I really enjoy his entertaining presentations. I’ve noticed something in the past and this video really put it in perspective. By all his descriptions of vehicles used for towing can I assume Australia does not import any 4 door long bed 3/4 and 1 ton pickup trucks? If that is the case is it because of size, price economy (or lack thereof) or a combination. Great vid, I’m forwarding this to several old customers who really need some help with this subject!

[@chrissteer3733]

Only just started importing them in big numbers in the last 12 months

[@flipperdick1796]

Probably cause they don't make them in RHD.

[@supersami7748]

@@flipperdick1796 I hadn’t thought of that, you’re probably right. I’ve seen a few Fords with RHD but they were older but never a GM or Chrysler product. That’s probably good for you folks Chrysler product have been a pain in one way or another since the 1960’s. Thanks!

[@elaineandlindsaymchock6718]

I find the US truck type Utes to be too large for our relatively narrow road lanes (and car parks). They truly are a wide vehicle compared to something like a Hilux; even the Dodge RAM (if you must buy a Fiat Chrysler product) is wider. As others have indicated, cost and lack of factory RHD versions appear to be a contributing factor.

[@supersami7748]

@@elaineandlindsaymchock6718 Thank you for your input, I’m getting a quick education on driving conditions in your country. You are so right about Chrysler products, their current reputation goes back to the 1960’s and 1970’s with most of the people I know. Most allDiesel mechanics will tell you the Cummins is by far the best diesel, it’s only issue I our domestic truck market is it’s surrounded by a Chrysler product. Thanks again.

[@paulredfern2252]

Overhang is the most underrated factor. L.Cruiser single cab utes for example

[@Paulman50]

Overhang past the rear axle to the tow hitch is the second most important thing for towing safety. The shorter the better. E.g, tandom axle trucks with turntable, 5th wheelers, SUVs.

[@simonsmith9363]

Public education broadcasting at its finest. You also have a gift for teaching, brilliant video, thank you!

[@doublehelix109]

if you ever decide youve had enough of cars, please become a physics professor, the students from that class would be next level aweseome for sure!!

[@Rockbottomsurf]

You just keep getting better with these videos.

[@deuscartel]

I’m sure your saving people money on their next car, but with content like this you are saving people’s lives! This should be compulsory viewing for anyone buying a towbar…! One point of argument, as a frequent visitor or dingo piss creek, yes mud tyres and all, I have never seen any of these oversized spam vans up there, they are all down at the park comparing the sizes of their ‘vans’ whilst strutting around like overfed flamingos 🦩. The hardest decision is which souvenir stubby cooler to use on the tinnie tonight! Love your work, you should really get a gig with the department of education, this should be in the syllabus!

[@Mark-Aussie1529]

Truly enjoy this topic John. Funny enough I mentioned my liking of your KZbin platform, whilst with a 1st class Truck driving educator, Michael, and he to emphasises, more people need to know the importance of towing with heavy loads.

[@tassieadventurerider4815]

Great video John, as a professional truck driver of 30 years, and with an aviation background……. I’m still amazed that some sort of “basics” towing school is not mandatory as part of any car licence extension , for any muppet who wants to tow stuff to dingo piss creek ect. I’ve seen some really dumb shit on the roads over the years…….. but just when you think you have seen it all….. the humans raise the bar even more. Gotta love those tank slappers that end in tears during the family grizwald vacation. Cheers🍻

[@seanflanigan4508]

Love my MQ Triton. Shortest wheelbase of all the dual cabs (I suspect), great turning circle. Also has a distance between rear axle and tow ball that I, myself (and any Archimedes out there) realise is so long as to create Serious Handling Issues Towing (S.H.I.T.), anything over about two thirds of the Recommended Overall Load Limit Of Vehicle Engineered Requirements (R.O.L.L.O.V.E.R.). Misunderstanding these considerations could well result in discovering that Dingo Piss Creek can sometimes be found in ones underwear!

[@johnsmith-sg2nm]

Moments of Inertia, Radius of Gyration etc etc. I had 50yrs of it and thought I'd do the "auto dump" when I retired, but it's still there, lol. My example - 4x4 wagon, 3T tow, no bull bar - 1800kg ATM single axle van. When I load the 4by for a trip, it weighs around 40kg shy of GVM, the van with its 60lt water tank full, 25 kg shy of ATM. The 4by GCM is 5700kg, my total weight is 4555kg, which is 1145kg below the limit. Goes to show how close some criteria can get when only towing 60% of maximum. P.S. After weighing I did some serious pruning of what I carry. :) Thanks for the memories.

[@dtnicholls1]

Hi John, Rear axle overhang is important from the perspective of stability, less important than trailer loading for sure, but important enough to warrant consideration given the cost of improvement can be really quite low. In resisting the forces applied to the tow vehicle by the trailer, including in pitch and yaw, the trailer acts through that drawbar. That drawbar is a lever. Making it excessively long just gives a longer lever to the trailer to act upon. The downward force required to unload the front axle by a given amount is reduced by 1/3rd by going from 1m of overhang to 1.5m. It's a simple moment arm. Force times distance. Same story with every other force, for example the force applied laterally by the yaw intertia of the van upon the hitch is carried substantially by the grip the rear tyres have on the ground. Make the lever longer and less force will be required to overcome the friction between the tyres and road surface. The relative length of that lever changes depending on what you're actually considering, yaw intertia will act about the centre of mass of the vehicle, downward pitch about the centre of rotation of the rear axle, upward the front axle etc, but in all cases, the shorter the better. As you point out its not going to substantially affect the point about which the vehicle rotates, but it does have a not insubstantial affect on how much force is required to cause it to come unstuck in the first place. It's exactly the same deal as where you want to place loads in the tray. Get them as close to between the axles as possible. The trailer is just another point load placed in nearly the worst possible position. Whatever you can reasonably do to fix that, such as not using an extended drawbar tongue, should be done. Yes, if that change is the difference between stable or not stable, you've already properly fucked up, but it's a simple change that does have a positive effect and it's not something that costs much. Cost v benefit, definitely on the win side of the argument. Edit: I must also say, you've done a bloody good job of describing what can be a rather complicated thing to wrap your head around. Bravo Zulu.

[@StaitlyNatters]

Back in the old days, when your license was issued from the copshop. (Maybe just the farm boy neighbourhood) my instructor/tester, told me to tow safely, vehicle should be around 20% heavier than the trailer load, only because he caught me towing while on my learners, a car trailer loaded with a tractor behind a combi van. He also taught me how to distribute weight over a trailer. They were the year’s before over regulation.

[@alandaddydaycare200]

finally someone speaks publicly about the airbag deployment and bull bar.

[@BlackhawkPilot]

John: Great information. Keep hammering on this subject. Here in the US I see so many pickups (Utes) with 30+ foot trailers and 5th wheelers driving at 70 mph. I will hate to see when one of these is in pieces all over the highway. My experience for safety towing 5500# is to not travel over 55 mph, the speed limit in many US states for three plus axels. Keep up the good work.

[@drcovell]

Amen brother. I’ve towed everything from a travel trailer to a tandem semi and these crashes are when the ratio of the driver idiocy quotient exceeds the mass of the vehicle to be towed.😊

[@Gilly482]

I tow cars all all the time with my 04 F250 and car trailer all the time. Always engine at the front of the trailer, learnt that the hard way. Even it gets wobbly at times, the suspension on the car being towed moves the trailer around a lot.

[@drcovell]

There speaks the voice of *hard* experience!

[@lindsaydonovan6241]

Best towing vehicle for a car licence: Hino 616 Long Wheelbase 4.5T. You can always throw on a Dual Cab or 2T of gravel, for good measure.

[@govshill4557]

I'm here at the end, sitting on my arse, thinking "I'm never going to tow anything heavier than a pair of kayaks on a cut down 6 X 4 trailer behind my BT-50", but I still really enjoyed the engineering lesson. Cheers.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

You never know, those kayaks may some day be made of gold.

[@govshill4557]

@@MiniLuv-1984 Sweet!

[@MiniLuv-1984]

@@govshill4557 That would be a good problem to have..."how can I tow these 2.5 t kayaks on my 6x4?"!

[@adamsimpson2041]

Just be cheap like me and opt not to get the tow bar fitted. "Pfft, I don't even own a trailer I don't need that." The amount of times I could have really used a tow bar.... But hey, at least I don't have to worry about all this shit.

[@calebgriffiths9062]

There is an allowable limit on draw bar down force, so when anyone is weighing the grey nomad combo, please remember to check that too!

[@stevegoodwin5841]

I love the nitty gritty. Cheers!

[@scottlearmont4587]

I get to watch most of your Utube clips understood most of this stuff (non tec) but this clip is really done well

[@billroach2393]

It's great to hear it explained in "proper" terms. For years I've been arguing around the camp fire at DPC (where I visit on a regular basis in my 5 tonne Silverado and 3.5 tonne Bushtracker shitwah)... The basis of my argument was that a box trailer loaded with 3.5t of bricks will handle TOTALLY differently to a theoretical trailer consisting of a 60 foot "I" beam, also weighing 3.5t, despite both of them being well balanced and having a 10% download upon the ball of the tow vehicle. Dumb-arse dudes I was discussing this with refused to understand. So, eventually I just retreated to the shitwah and had my wicked way with my very own ming-mole! hahaha

[@Serehfas]

Appreciate the tech talk as an engineer.

[@andrewrobinson2869]

There are so many people in tbere new utes with the big caravan . Bullbar . Wheels . 2 wheels bolted on the back of the caravan .not to mention the roofrack on the ute that loaded to the hilt. And the back of the ute loaded too .Its a joke. I wish more people towing could watch the your videos. You have a way with words thats unique. Love you show. Thankyou.. i only drive a small pajero i0 no bullbar . No big tyres. Love it tks again. Regards Andy

[@lindseyhatfield9017]

Good pun , the weight distribution is "Pivotal"

[@andyc1175]

You went real deep with this one John.

[@colinboggust2950]

Thanks for that. Really informative, I actually understood all of that. But I am not thinking of towing but I have an 8 ton box body truck that I am loading up with all my stuff as a house truck. That angular velocity really talked me out of putting the really heavy batteries right at the back.

[@philsara1476]

Thanks John, very informative and lots of food for thought, however experience has taught me to stay right away from these types of conversations, I just don’t care for the grief they so often cause. Thanks again.

[@chrisportingale2841]

One of the best videos from you John made a lot of sense thanks again.

[@t0msie]

Thank you for bringing reality to the table

[@Steven_Rowe]

I don't know about doing "The Lap" but getting a Ute and a van and travelling around and taking time to smell the roses is appealing. I have always believed in safety buffers . A lot of the physical s I understand and so my thought is to buy a Triton and buy a van with a tare weight or around 2.1 tonnes Don't carry weight if you don't need to so even 200 litres of water can be filled when you get to where you want to go. Fill the back seat of the Ute and any other stuff over the rear wheels. Finally just because the speed limit says 100Kph it's not a target so travel 10 or so under and be considerate of other motorists so pull over and let them pass.

[@steveclark5719]

Thanks John, was very worthwhile viewing

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

Remember the days when you could go towing? Or driving? Travelling. I once towed a Kingswood with a Jeep Cherokee. Ask me how it went.

[@kennyknackers6084]

I hope the kingswood is ok!

[@ScottMurrayBestFamilyCars]

@@kennyknackers6084 There's a reason JC says, 'Don't buy a demonstrator'. (It was a press vehicle.)

[@bruceparr1678]

I love the physics T shirt. Makes me think of Los Alamos and Eniwetok, where the worlds finest physicists were surprised to find that their exact calcs were out by a factor of 10. Still that is close enough for a physicist. Bloody fantastic explosions though.

[@fredbear2096]

Great information once again John. One aspect missing from your 'deep dive' was the significance of twin axel versus single axel on a caravan. Clearly there will be some influence from a larger road footprint and increased relative weight - but is it significant? Your views would be appreciated.

[@gregholloway2656]

Great episode, John. I have the engineering background to understand all of this, and your explanation was brilliant. It’s a shame that tow capacity seems more in the hands of marketing than it should be. I wish tow ratings were subjected to a manufacturer’s test where a quick lane change is required, and see if the combination retains its composure or not.

[@carolbritton5751]

If you are over weight on your combined vehicle mass, then insurance would also be an issue when the rubber leaves the road, I’d suggest.

[@adamannear]

This stuff is brilliant John! Thanks so much

[@steved2623]

Thanks John, bloody interesting.

[@iekuieku1536]

i wish i watched this video before towing a trailer full (!) of firewood on the german freeway this monday. whether it was the abs/esp/asr or that trailer stability thing they advertised, it did save my arse, overtaking a 40ton lorry when that silly tail waved my dog 0.o. out of ideas what to do i stepped on the breaks and after a second or two of rattling and blocking wheels the tail decided to follow the dog again. needless to say that i drove the rest of that journey behind the lorries. when i am done moving i'll give that borrowed 3 ton trailer back to my friend and use my little 2 ton without thinking i need a bigger one anymore.

[@jean-marcandjoshua-petsjournal]

Just a thought. You say that the load should be between the rear wheels. Would a goose neck fitting help?

[@wuss999]

I actually made it through this video 😲 Great job mate!

[@wobblysauce]

The track width should be a non-issue, as it is almost standardized as you want to fit down all trails. The new US + sized have that issue. A lot of people do not understand the distance...

[@stephengloor8451]

It’s amazing now I have a 4WD how many times I get glazed look when I ask other people with utes that have every possible steel thing fitted to them “how’s your GVM”? It doesn’t seem to matter to them in the quest for steel surrounding “safety” apparently and I’m told frequently it doesn’t matter. I’m limiting my Triton to 2.5t towing as an absolute maximum. There are plenty of lightweight options under this for comfortable trailers and caravans. There’s no need, IMHO, to carry half a suburban house with you when getting away from it all.

[@karlamos3518]

Hiya John, I enjoy watching your videos on all vehicle related products, whether they be good or rubbish, but as I'm from the UK, we only have certain pickup trucks (UTES) here, but somehow, you talk a lot about the mid range UTE, for pulling upto 3.5 ton. But what I would like to know is you never mention the FORD F150, or ASV RAM 1500, or 2500, and whether ASV will be having the ECO DIESEL in the RAM 1500, I have a KIA Sportive, and never had a problem since purchased in 2017, and we don't get certain KIA vehicles like you do in AUSTRALIA, so you keep up the good work, entertaining your public. Karl Amos

[@tomnewham1269]

Hi John. Check out TJM on KZbin as they have some videos on their bullbars and how they work with airbags. No I’m not disagreeing with you on your stance on bullbars but the research they have done on their design does impress me.

[@peterjhhoey7567]

bloody gr8 show bro if u can maybe some more on towing 4 safety reasons please

[@bobndiwyllie2992]

John thanks for your efforts, could you do a show on single axle Dolly car trailer/Gypsy trailers behind RVs. Bob.

[@EFFICIENTSELF]

Great video John and very well explained. 👍🍻

[@manitoublack]

Been towing car trailers for years to race tracks. mostly with FWD vehicles. To this day the amount of people I see towing cars that must have 3-400kg of tow ball down weight by having the tow'd car so far forward on the trailer out right baffles me. We always balance the tow'd vehicle over the trailer axle so that wee have ~50-80kg of down weight, so that the draw-bar is horizontal. The tow vehicle always feels balanced, never had the shakes or the tail wagging the dog. Cruise along at 110km/h no issues at al (aside from a significant reduction in fuel economy.) With any vehicle; (especially FWD) It's important to not overload the toe bar as has the effect of unloading the front wheels.

[@bryanwalker7031]

After 7 decades done, a lot of this I've learned along the way through other means...BUT I wish someone like you had been my physics teacher. How many of us who have watched this video to the end, have endured physics (and other shit) instruction that was designed to kill the will to learn by way of formulas. Teaching isn't formulas...it's motivating to learn...and formulas do not create interest. You have the gift...and most likely endured the drones along the way. Thank you for this very informative video.

[@adamsimpson2041]

I hated physics in school. Turns out I actually really like physics, I just hated doing nothing but memorising formulas.

[@jefffletcher3178]

I have the 2l Ranger and have not experienced any problem with hunting through the gears when towing either. My toy hauler weighs about 2100 kg the Ranger does a much better job of following it than the MUX before it. If I leave it to is own devices when towing it will rarely go into 9th of 10th, so I usually lock those 2 out and it happily sits in 8th, only changing down when the hill gets a bit steep. I think our guy with the 3 tonne Ranger and 3 tonne trailer combo is probably over loading the tow vehicle though as the trailer should impose around 300kgs of is weight on the tow vehicle putting it at about 3.3 tonne. GVM for the Ranger is 3.2 tonne

[@MrTonaluv]

Extra trans oil cooler on the Ranger? They are a good idea

[@robertwhittaker1801]

When I was growing up in the 70's my engineer uncle said your tow vehicle should heavier than the load, so using his beer garden physics the Ranger should tow 2.5 tonnes. For towing the Aluminum shitwa that weighs 3,500 kg they should be using an actual light truck.

[@Texmotodad]

Amen brother! Good info!

[@drcovell]

Wish all the physics teachers were as clear as your presentation! 👏👍👍 For the physics-challenged individual, *please* just walk around your rig and make if it looks like a monkey about to get f@&ked by an elephant, the load is TOO BIG for the towing vehicle. I saw an old 35’ trailer on a ball hitch being towed by 1/4 ton pickup in TX, with a LOT of tongue weight, which fit this definition and he would be lucky to get to his destination alive. (Hint: He was *driving too fast * and damn near went into a jackknife every time he got a bit out of control swaying, which was every time he hit a gust of wind.) I saw him pulled over so I stopped my rig and asked him WHY he was doing such a crazy thing. He said he thought it would be OK for a short run of 25 miles. I gave him the above advice and recommended that he NOT exceed 30 mph or call a friend with *at least* a ¾ ton truck that could handle both the tongue weight and the weight of the following load. I asked if he had brakes on the trailer, to which he replied “Yes,” but weren’t hooked up; I recommended that he get them to work SOMEHOW. If not, call his life insurance agent and make sure that his policy was paid up. PS The trailer had two, full 7-gallon propane tanks in the front. Those getting crushed in an accident would have been the icing on the cake!

[@backyardbandit8193]

Not sure what camp fire's you've been going to, but the integrity of every structural component is critical when determining a vehicles towing capacity or engine size. People a lot smarter than me determine those factors through vigorous testing, firstly from the manufacturers themselves and other independent national standard bodies. A vehicle's towing capacity is the single most important factor when towing in the event of an accident, for insurance purposes etc

[@user-oq5zi6sx2v]

Nice physics. I just want to say overhang does matter. Shortened the goose neck by 50 mm and removed some pitching. Improved horizontal looks of the car. ie less ball weight on the rear axle due to less leverage.

[@dragancrnogorac3851]

The most important thing for stability in trailer stuff is speed. Second most important thing is where is mass in trailer. First if all you gotta have 5-10% load on towing vehicle otherwise when trailer start left right "dance".. you are screwed, because it never stops. Than we can talk about mass, overhang, power, 2x4, 4x4... Endless little things. When you increase speed from 80 to 100 km/h all shit is double. All side forces in corners, stoping distance, collision force in accident... All shit is double in just a bit more speed. You can even overload trailer and to towing vehicle but you gotta drive slow and nothing bad is gonna happen (most of the time 🤣😂).

[@philhealey449]

Totally agree on speed as I discovered myself around 1992 rashly volunteering to move a VERY heavy steam boiler for a museum, towing a rented trailer with my 110 Defender. The probably 5 ton and grossly overweight albeit neutrally positioned load soon had me starting to sway. Fortunately I eased off the power very gently and recovered, adopted a 25mph limit and had no more scary moments. Apart that is from return of the trailer, hoping they didn't see the repaired broken welds where we'd had to repair it as had sagged badly.

[@DanWallis86]

This is the ultimate in deep dive towing. Love these videos John. Thanks very much. Ps. Don’t ease up on the DP creek visitors. The genuine visitors “get it.” I’d suggest it’s only the posers who pretend to be out song the hard yards that get upset.

[@philmenzies2477]

This video could have been 2 minutes had John answered 1 question first. "what's the best tow vehicle taking into account the tow ball overhang past the rear axle"

[@zarajoe1]

I argue with my friends about bullbars all the time using your arguments and all I ever get is fingers in ears. You are right when you say bullbars are a fansion accessory. The shit I cop because I refuse to put a bullbar on my ute

[@garysheppard4028]

A quick question about bullbars if I may: I'm getting a Triton and I notice that Mitsubishi say the following about their Front Protection Bar (i.e. bullbar): "The Genuine Black Powder Coated Front Protection Bar has been designed and engineered to meet Mitsubishi Motors' stringent safety standards. It's fully airbag compatible, and retains Triton's 5 star ANCAP rating when fitted.” Do you think this solves the bullbar-not-as-safe problem or do your read marketing BS into this statement? Thanks.

[@robhemmins4832]

Great video, really clearly explained. Thank you!

[@kwridgway]

Great video ! Who would have thought that blood shooting out my ears could be so educational !

[@zonavarbondagoo4074]

My 29 yr old diesel 80 series has a 2.96 tonne gvm and last time I had it weighed it was about 2.5 tonnes. I've used it to haul loaded car trailers (approx 2 tonnes) and the legal max atm is 2.5 tonnes. I'd never ever try hauling max legal weight with the vehicle being close to it's gvm - ouch!

[@ronalddumpster6168]

I find when im holding 8 inches of wood, I have full control of it, although when i use oil, I find it slipping in my hand. Thanks Physics.

[@charlescamen5225]

Hi John, I really like your videos. but if I may suggest that the rate of change of velocity of the zombie brain, when struck with the flogger, would be based on the conservation of momentum rather than the relationship with force or mass. cheers.:)

[@ADingoTookMyDasco]

"All the beard strokers" 🤣 Being in the market for a new set of tyres & just having watched your "How to buy new tyres and avoid the scams" video, this line gave me the giggles more than usual. I had to force myself to stop thinking about the line from Hot Fuzz while watching it. 😂 It was very helpful, but you might want to consider an update. It is 4 years old after all, and I'd like to hear your thoughts on the current cheap Chinese offerings to see if they've gotten any better. I ended up with a set of Kumho based on your advice btw.

[@brianroberts3575]

Thanks John, had me cracking up about the pollies.HaHaHa Great video👍

[@RealButcher]

Damn, now I want a crash-test with a bulbar. Did I miss something? You're always correct, so now I am confused. Wheelbase as in 3220? What? Isn't it always in cm's? It will be 32 meters long??? Then 322 would be enough. Or do you do the work in mm's? Anyways, glad you work with the metric system. Good talk and explanation John!!!