With a tandem, I don't see any good reason to make the tongue any longer then needed to clear the tow vehicle. With a single axle, I have no idea. I would think steering only gets worse when you have a longer tongue.

Luckily we don't have much side area when towing a vehicle on a flat bed trailer. I have towed in HEAVY cross winds, and my trailer does not try to steer me off the road like an enclosed would. But the wind pushing the van around does cause some pendulum effects with the trailer. Still, far less then any other trailers I have towed.

As a side note, I once towed an 18 foot flat bed with a lifted Samurai. The flat bed had another Samurai, and a bunch of junk on it.. That was fun!! Worst tow idea ever!! Luckily it was a short distance on residential streets. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

-Wayne