Mounted search and rescue

["IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN" <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

There are usually two problems with small trailers. They have high centers
of gravity (especially if a tower is mounted on the roof), and they don't
want to stop.  Generally, your tow vehicle should weigh 3 times what the
trailer weighs and expect to go through vehicle brakes rapidly.  Another
problem is the coupler.  They are usually the cheapest kind of ball coupler.
stamped sheet metal, and everything is short-- tongue, wheel base, chains,
cables.  Greater Philadelphia SAR had a "tool box" unit that had the body
above the axle and really didn't like potholes--small wheels.  Behind a
Suburban it shook at 50 and often turned on one wheel. It is still parked at
the county fire academy lot. 
Irv Lichtenstein 

-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Una Smith
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 8:54 AM
To: Mounted search and rescue
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Trailer one brake locking up

Great leads, everyone.  I'll let you know what the problem turns out to
be.