Hey Jim and Ron - asbestos,
Your ideas sound familiar. My parents used to say "Yes" to things I wanted to do when
they wanted to
encourage me to explore. They would say "No" to things I wanted to do when they wanted
to discourage
me from getting into trouble or when they wanted to set firm limits for me.
Now that I'm no longer a kid, it's comments like yours (with vintage related examples)
that reminder
me of the need to have clearly defined self-made limits - when towing. <grin>
Thanks for doing that. Next month, we roll out of here for another eight months. Both
of your
comments brought these ideas back into sharp focus. A little of that is always helpful.
Terry
=======================
>One fact that I've read (and you've no doubt witnessed first-hand) is
>that almost all accidents are due to a combination of factors, not
>usually a single item.
>
>A blown tire might be a non-event for a good driver on dry pavement. Add
>in a bit of rain or a less-than-expert (or even tired) driver and you
>have a disaster.
>
>A too-light tow vehicle with a less-than-optimum hitch might not cause
>any problems until the driver decides that he should be out there in the
>left lane, mixing it up with the 18-wheelers at 70MPH.
>
>If you try to keep ALL of your ducks in a row at ALL times, you should
>come out OK. If you are aware that you have one parameter out of line,
>you'd better park it if a second one isn't perfect. IE: you know your
>hitching setup isn't quite what 'the book' says, but elect to go anyway.
>You'll likely get away with it, but be smart enough to sit out rush hour
>traffic, bad weather, or fatigue.
>
>I read some time back (don't remember where) that a vehicle pulling a
>trailer is 4 times as likely to be involved in an accident as a solo
>outfit. It's unwise to push your luck by driving as if you ARE solo.
>
> <<Jim>>
>
>asbestos wrote:
>>
>> I am glad to see everyone concerned about this issue,
>> One thing I would like to say about this subject is this. You can have the
>> biggest most powerful engine, the best suspension, the best hitch, four
>> wheel drive etc. etc. In the end, speed and poor judgment will put in
>> harm's way.
>> as a volunteer firefighter I have seen my share of MVC's The vast majority
>> are caused
>> by just plain going to fast. Sometimes to fast is 10 MPH. Rain, wet leaves,
>> oil film etc etc can all have a huge negative effect on control and
>> stopping distance. All those thousands of pounds are controlled by a few
>> square inches of hard rubber on smooth asphalt or concrete. I figure the
>> best set-up on the best vehicle will not save a poor driver. as well as the
>> best driver can not save a poor set up. If you believe in taking chances
>> that is your business but when you take to the public highways you are
>> forcing everyone else to assume whatever risk you take.
>> Remember there is a difference between 'can' and 'should' just ask all the
>> people who we pull out of there SUV's during the few snowstorms we have each
>> year.
>
Websites useful for restoring/maintaining Airstreams
http://www.vac.airstream.net
http://www.phrannie.org/phredex.html
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/4868/
http://www.escapees.com
http://www.tompatterson.com/Streamline/Airstreamlist/Spares7.html
