fj12ryder wrote:
I don't know that you could call this a "catastrophic failure". If your trailer comes apart in a crash is that a "catastrophic failure", or the results of the crash? If the frame of your truck deforms after hitting a tree at 70 mph is that a "catastrophic failure" or the results of hitting a tree at 70 mph?
Personally I think the B&W hitch deformed when subjected to extreme forces in a rollover crash. I don't know that subjecting something to forces way beyond its design parameters should lead to surprise when there are problems. If you drive a 20 ton load over a bride rated for 5 tons you shouldn't be surprised when it collapses.
Yeah, I love my B&W hitch. :)
Catastrophic failure has nothing to do with surprises, design parameters or the strength of the force that created it. Per one dictionary source, "A catastrophic failure is a sudden and total failure from which recovery is impossible."
