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Date:         Sun, 27 Jun 2004 14:09:54 -0400
Reply-To:     "Daniel L. Katz" <katzd54@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Daniel L. Katz" <katzd54@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Towing a Vanagon with a Vanagon?

list:

point is well taken. accelerating from a stop is certainly mainly a torque issue. and cruising on the flats the tow isn't much of a torque or horsepower issue, as wind resistance is not a lot higher and the extra rolling resistance is not a major factor (and no external force is required to keep the mass moving at constant speed along a straight line). but what about going up a hill, say 10 deg? well, 82 hp = 45,100 ftlb/s. assuming a combined weight of 8,000 lb, dividing power by 8,000 lb x sin(10 deg) = 1389 lb, yields 32 ft/s = 22 mph. in other words, to lift 8,000 lb up a 10 deg slope at 22 mph requires the full rated 82 hp of a 1.9 l. since there are other losses, such as wind resistance and so on, and since it isn't a good idea to run an engine at full horsepower for long periods of time, it would seem prudent to avoid hiils.

dan

>On Jun 23, 2004, at 4:12 PM, Robert Fisher wrote: > >Semi tractor trailer trucks weigh up to 80,000 lbs and have about 300 hp.. > A ratio of 267:1! It's all about torque, not horsepower, when towing >something heavy. > >Ryan


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