How fast with a canopy?

Hematite · Aug 29, 2009

roadhawk said:
Thanks for all the replies. I'm feeling better about it now.
For those of you that put the "just in case" straps on it, did the bouncing/rubbing cause any damage to the fiberglass?

Considering the abrasive nature of nylon straps, that is a VERY good question.

KB9UDE · Aug 29, 2009

I never had any problems. I used a 2" nylon rachet strap

roadhawk said:
Thanks for all the replies. I'm feeling better about it now.
For those of you that put the "just in case" straps on it, did the bouncing/rubbing cause any damage to the fiberglass?

Diamondpilot · Aug 29, 2009

Just tow it backwards and be done with it. Keep it simple, it works!

Chris

kthompson · Aug 29, 2009

I had never thought about putting a strap or tieing it to tractor. That sure seems simple. Backing it on makes sense also.

roadhawk · Sep 16, 2009

I've been playing around with the tractor and all the implements on my family's place trying to learn the tricks and techniques they've learned over the years so I haven't taken "the trip" yet. I had to tow it to the dealer for a couple of days and at the low city speeds there wasn't any issues with the top or anything else, and it was good practice learning the new brake controller, balance point for good hitch load, etc.

I asked the dealer about long tows and he too suggested that if I was going to go that far and hit highway speeds, that I back it on to keep the wind from putting all that pressure on the top. So, after all the good comments here, and from the dealer, I'm going to try to do it backward as long as I can fit everything else on the trailer that I need to. If I can't, I suppose I'll just have to go S L O W E R than I was already planning on going.

Hematite · Sep 16, 2009

Frankly, I don't see how there would be the slightest difference in the effects of wind on the canopy whether it faces forward or backward. Maybe I'm not aware of something that is changed by being backwards.

One thing that I will warn you about: the dynamics of tongue weight and where the load is carried on the trailer WILL be changed by putting the tractor on backwards. It's pretty cavalier to think that nothing will be changed by doing so. I would recommend checking how the weight is distributed on the trailer by putting it on backwards before making any high speed trips.

Diamondpilot · Sep 16, 2009

How can you not see there is a benefit for the canopy by towing backwards? When forward the wind can get under the leading edge and fold it back breaking it. Towing in reverse you do not risk this.

Chris

Hematite · Sep 16, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
How can you not see there is a benefit for the canopy by towing backwards? When forward the wind can get under the leading edge and fold it back breaking it. Towing in reverse you do not risk this.

Chris

If you're talking about the very front edge of the canopy, it would have to be made of paper mache to be so weak to bend. So, yes, if you have a VERY poorly made canopy, that COULD happen. In that case, remove it altogether would be the only safe thing to do. Thankfully, mine is very well built, apparently.

skipmarcy · Sep 16, 2009

I agree with Chris, most canopies I've seen, including mine are slightly angled up at the front and can catch the wind easier than if it was reversed. I couldn't load my tractor backwards because of the weight issue but have hauled it much at speeds of 55 - 60 mph for shorter distances. When I loaded it up to haul from Fl. back to Tenn. here I took the canopy off though, I didn't think it would be safe at 75 mph and with gusts from semis it could easily have folded her back. Mine has an excellent angle iron frame and good solid mounts to the ROPS and a heavy gauge steel roof but it's not indestructable.

Builder · Sep 16, 2009

skipmarcy said:
I agree with Chris, most canopies I've seen, including mine are slightly angled up at the front and can catch the wind easier than if it was reversed. I couldn't load my tractor backwards because of the weight issue but have hauled it much at speeds of 55 - 60 mph for shorter distances. When I loaded it up to haul from Fl. back to Tenn. here I took the canopy off though, I didn't think it would be safe at 75 mph and with gusts from semis it could easily have folded her back. Mine has an excellent angle iron frame and good solid mounts to the ROPS and a heavy gauge steel roof but it's not indestructable.

If there was a concern that the canopy was really flimsy and the tractor was reversed onto the truck, the canopy could also "flap" in the wind and be damaged.

Either way, strap it and drive without sweating.