You also have to think about the front wheel drive aspect of that lightweight Taurus. With any kind of significant load in back, you may compromise your traction.
Better research this one alot. Adding a second vehicle can also getyy you a multi car discount on your insurance, provide additional write-offs at tax time...etc.
Sounds like it's time to buy an Aerostar from Fran Carango! ( cheep, cheep )

I also have an Aerostar for sale. $3000. It has a lot of miles, but is in excellent shape.
Extended version. 21 mpg. New tires, new brakes, new tie rod ends, etc.
DonM

I got a 1996 Dodge Caravan Sport WHITE 117,000 miles...very good shape FS $1999.00

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-13-2004).]

I always buy extended vans...it has to allow a 4x8 sheets of plywood to be carried with the rear door closed...otherwise they are useless to me...that includes Dave's new one..

Nigel, are you sure you guys put a 'clip' in the trailers hitch area that is made to prevent things like that from happening?

When the trailer is secured to the vehicle's ball hitch, after you lower the trailers hitch handle, then you're suppose to put a 'clip' into it to prevent the trailer from accidentally popping open, separating, and dis-connecting from the hitch and vehicle.

Another thing is you might have not secured the trailer to the hitch properly. The trailer may have been just 'resting' on the hitch's Ball instead of actually secured 'inside' the trailers hitch mount. Any big bump or sharp upward jolt would have sent the trailer flying needless to say because it wasn't secured properly but simply 'resting' on the Ball.

If a Trailer is 'properly' secured to a vehicles hitch and s Pin or 'Clip' was used, then occurences like you experienced should and would have been nil.

>> IMO, I think an enclosed trailer is an excellent way to transport Gear with. You just have to take all necessary precautions and use common sense when you turn corners, park, or back the trailer up, etc. Above all, make sure the trailer is secured properly and the running lights are in working order. And the registration is current.

Best regards,
Mike

My choice is Ferrari ( the white horse car)

Chico

Here,driving for a gig : the white horse car


( Chico - I just edited the link so it didn't widen the thread so much as it was getting hard to read - Nigel )


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 11-14-2004).]

. that poor animal ......
but did the extra 'horsepower' help???
t.

[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 11-13-2004).]

Yes it was clipped on correctly, the problem was due to the suspension springs coming unattatched that then caused the trailer to be launched into the air like a Jack-In-The-Box. It then broke away from the car which was better than lifting the back wheels of the car off the road which would really have been a disaster.

Nigel,
My first experience with a "band" trailer, in 1965, was a similar encounter. We were traveling from our hometown, near Tulsa, OK., and returning from a gig a hundred miles or so into Kansas. All our gear including drums, amps, Bogen P.A. (anybody remember those?} and my Hammond B3 were in the trailer.
Somebody looked out the window to see the trailer passing us on the highway. It as 3 a.m. and there was no traffic. The trailer gradually coasted to a stop some half-mile down the road and gently rolled into a wheat field. It didn't even tip over, and all the gear was secure!
I'm sure we didn't fasten it properly, but that was nearly 40 years ago!
DonM

I have a small Coleman trailer I bought in 1976 and a restored 22' Airstream my youngest son and I use as a DJ booth for car shows.

With small trailers, it's very important to lubricate the wheel bearings once a year. If they freeze up when on the highway, you're in trouble.

Also, keep a spare. My Coleman has 10" wheels, so they're turning much faster than 16" car wheels.

A locking pin is important to prevent theft.

In many ways, a larger trailer is easier to navigate (back up)than a small one.

Of course, when you use a trailer, you have to pre-plan your trip to allow for more time in navigation, ample parking, etc.

Russ