www.iFourWinns.com

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

Well, there you go! That's a good read for all of us who tow.

One thing sadly lacking in modern SUV's is any provision for load leveling. With strut type suspension there is not much you can do. I added simple air bags in the rear coils of my Jeeps they work great for lighter tongue weights or carrying a full load back there. But they both have ancient live axles in the rear like pick up trucks.....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

This is a little misleading. My mid size German built SUV tows the same amount if you're towing in uk or us. When I was looking to buy an SUV for towing, I was appalled at the limits of US built mid size SUVs and the towing differences between models and with or without factory towing package. I wanted Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Ford Explorer. I almost ended up buying Cadillac Escalade because I needed 6,500lb limit. Biggest limitation on US made SUVs seems to be the frame not the regulations. Towing limit is the same on these SUVs in the UK also.

There are different standards and different perceptions of what is safe. On big difference is the fact that inertia brakes are used almost exclusively on Euro trailers, and the advantages of weight distribution hitches appear unknown there as they depend on very low tongue weight to not overload the rear suspension. The issue with this, is potential trailer sway and the fact that sway can result from the air pressure effects from passing large trucks, or being passed by them. I'm not so sure their standards are equal to the level of safety considered reasonable here. Especially with regards to such low tongue weight.
Low tongue weight, only inertia (surge brakes), no focus on weight distribution, no use of electric or electric over hydraulic brakes. Its is all a bit questionable to me...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I guess they figure that if they survive kidney pie, haggis, black pudding, spotted dick, and Marmite, they'll survive anything

You forgot Fags (cigarettes).

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Well, we have issues with fags here as well. In fact, the state in which I live and call home would be considered the fag capital of the US.

The EU European) towing regulations, like many other regulations here are based on legistlation put in place by very stupid unelected beaurocrats; both on an EU wide and local basis. A whole infrastructure of these overpaid, incompetent, unaccountable parasites has built up here. A few years ago they even tried to impose requirements an how much curvature a banana should have, FFS , before public derision caused them to rethink!

It gives rise to situations like I can buy a 45 year old 1.1 litre engine car with 48 hp (on a good day when new) and all round drum brakes and tow over a tonne ( I suppose it'd never get above 40 mph I suppose).

My daughter's 2013 Mazda 2 1.3 litre can tow something.

Yet, a 2006 Ford Mondo Estate like mine ( = station wagon) with a 3.0 litre engine/ >225 HP, self levelling rear suspension etc is not allowed to tow anything as it was not "homologated" for towing ! Yet, the same car, with a less powerful version of the same 3.0 engine as well as the other much lower powered ones including a sparkling 1.6 litre one can tow as they were homologated. As can all the Jaguar versions of that Ford , Bonkers, totally illogical.

My guess is that the bureaucrats are being heavily lobbied (ie paid off) by lobbyists for the recreational towing industry. That is the only logical explanation for those silly and potentially dangerous regs. Here we have the same thing; it's called renewable fuels; good for farmers bad for boats. At least the FAA has enough sense to ban e10 in av gas...

These regulators seem to be trying to make up for the lack of adequate tow vehicles. Let's ask the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy to re-write the laws of physics.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II