V1 Flat Towing

[Gtstorey]

If it was close to level, it should work ok in most circumstances since it can pivot on both ends.

 

[Sebnuts]

Dropped the hitch down to the lowest setting to tow the goblin to the highway patrol today. Made a huge difference. Still some chatter on really tight turns, but not nearly as bad as it was.

 

[SmsDetroit]

I’m going to be flat towing my goblin a lot this year to Autocross around Michigan. I’ve done it a few time with no issues. I’m starting to look at going further distance to more races. I have a lead foot and read that you shouldn’t tow faster than 65MPH. My goblin had the F35 trans. Has anyone towed at 65+ without having any issues.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Is it not better to drive a little slower and arrive intact? Note that towing a 1600 lb Goblin at 65mph is the equivalent of about 226,000 ft.lbs of kinetic energy, but increasing speed by 10 mph to 75mph raises this to about 301,000 ft.lbs of kinetic energy - which is 33% (significantly) higher in effort to control or stop for just a marginal increase in speed and only a 15% reduction in time to distance. Be safe - IMO - we like our Goblin family in one piece.

 

[SmsDetroit]

Is it not better to drive a little slower and arrive intact? Note that towing a 1600 lb Goblin at 65mph is the equivalent of about 226,000 ft.lbs of kinetic energy, but increasing speed by 10 mph to 75mph raises this to about 301,000 ft.lbs of kinetic energy - which is 33% (significantly) higher in effort to control or stop for just a marginal increase in speed and only a 15% reduction in time to distance. Be safe - IMO - we like our Goblin family in one piece.

View attachment 50782

But but but the speed limit is 70MPH

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

I get it! I'm very safety conscious, since it's a big part of my job - safety is in my job subtitle - and I have a habit of quoting things like this. I can be a pain in the tushy sometimes, but safety is paramount when working with things that can explode - like rockets. I due mean well tho...

 

[Ross]

I have flat towed my goblin to most races. If my goblin car can ride comfortably at 80 mph, (ie: I haven't wrecked my wheel alignment doing off road stunts at the autocross event) then it seems to tow just fine at 80 mph. The goblin is about 1/3 the weight of my tow pig, which helps towing..

 

[Scott Geyer]

Towed many times over to ZZP at 70ish the whole way

 

[SmsDetroit]

I have flat towed my goblin to most races. If my goblin car can ride comfortably at 80 mph, (ie: I haven't wrecked my wheel alignment doing off road stunts at the autocross event) then it seems to tow just fine at 80 mph. The goblin is about 1/3 the weight of my tow pig, which helps towing..

See now that’s what wanted to hear. Lol

 

[Robinjo]

I've had no issue towing at 70+ mph. Just be mindful that you have something behind you like anytime you tow.

 

[Ghostknife]

See now that’s what wanted to hear. Lol

Are you going to be flat towing with the Hellcat or the Camaro.

 

[Esstover]

I’m still having issues with my goblin wheels/steering tracking my truck when towing. I have a low drop hitch so I don’t think that’s the issue. Any other thoughts?

 

[SmsDetroit]

I’m still having issues with my goblin wheels/steering tracking my truck when towing. I have a low drop hitch so I don’t think that’s the issue. Any other thoughts?

Can you post a picture of your setup. One from the bumper to your goblin then one from the side the one forward

 

[Esstover]

Can you post a picture of your setup. One from the bumper to your goblin then one from the side the one forward

I will. I am wrapping up installing my NACA ducts in my hood one evening this week, then I will get the tow bar on and take some photos.

 

[Ross]

I notice my goblin's front tires are slow to point in the direction of travel.
When pulling the goblin, any upward angle of the tow bar can easily lift the front wheels, then the caster can't point the wheels in the correct direction.
Once the front of the goblin gets weight back on it (coasting or deceleration) then the caster will point the tires correctly.
The little bit of scrubbing of tires while waiting for them to point forward is minimal, so I don't worry about it, they will correct themselves when there is some weight on them.

Backing up the goblin will cause the caster to point the wheels wrong, so you either scrub the goblin tires, or put a driver in the goblin to steer it correctly.

 

[Esstover]

Finally got my splitter plate and NACA ducts on so I can hook up my tow setup and take some photos (attached).

Front tire pressure is 15psi.
Rear tire pressure is 18psi.

Front alignment -1.5 camber, 7.2 caster, 0.13 total toe
Rear alignment -1.5 camber, 0.2 total toe

I do think the height of the hitch is playing a factor because it does seem to follow steer better if the truck it coming up a hill and dropping the hitch, but I already have a huge drop. Not sure I want to go more. Maybe with the splitter in front it will apply enough force at speed that it will do good a higher speeds. It just depends at slow speeds if it turns much or scoots.

 

[Ross]

That looks pretty good. Don't worry if the front tires are a little slow to turn... as long as they point straight down the road when the road is straight. When the tires are scooting, there isn't even enough weight on them to caster the tires to the correct direction, so they are barely scrubbing the tires.

 

[kurbkilla]

I have done a lot of flat towing (150 miles). However, we are moving cross country (2000 miles) and I was going flat tow. Any steps I need to do that trip?

 

[Ross]

If you can get the tow bar horizontal, that is best. Pump the goblin tires up ~20PSI for less rolling resistance. Avoid backing up, as that scrubs the goblin tires, unless you put a backup driver in the goblin.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Expect rain over a 2000 mile trip - maybe wrap the BCU and dash panel in plastic to keep moisture out.