truck and trailer total loss due to black ice
So it's been almost 3 weeks since we totaled our truck and fifth wheel. We were an hour from home enroute to Florida from Hamilton, Ontario when we hit black ice, lost control, went down an embankmen...
Forum Discussion
4 wheel drive can be used at any time, on any road conditions, whether the conditions warrant it's use or not. No damage or harm will come to the vehicle for using 4 wheel drive, ever. I have learned that when using 4 wheel drive, it just feel more comfortable to run slower.
I have seen way too many campers and tow vehicles (of all sorts), flying down the road at some astonishing speeds. Even under best conditions, I rarely (if ever) go over 60 mph. I think speed is a big factor. Pushing behind the tow vehicle is another 6,000-15,000 pounds pushing forward, and pulling backwards. Far too often we forget that the shear force of the camper in motion is enough to propel the tow vehicle into oblivion. Basically, too many just don't REALLY understand the potential danger, or they think such things will never happen to them.
Living in a snow state myself, I have learned, with trailer in tow or not, when the temperatures reach freezing, it's time to slow down. Even dew on the ground, or mist in the air can settle on a road when it's freezing temperatures and cause a layer of ice that may not even be noticed. Most autos will handle it with no problem. But it only takes one time to end up having a very bad day.
Rule number 1, and probably the only rule, when temperatures reach freezing, always assume the road has ice. This will instinctive cause you to drive different.
There is the only mistake you made, you did not anticipate the ice. Once you lost control, no matter speed you were traveling, there's not a whole lot you can do on ice. You got out physically unscathed although you did loose truck and trailer. I think you handled it pretty good! Better you probably could not have done, except anticipate the ice and drive accordingly.
I have seen way too many campers and tow vehicles (of all sorts), flying down the road at some astonishing speeds. Even under best conditions, I rarely (if ever) go over 60 mph. I think speed is a big factor. Pushing behind the tow vehicle is another 6,000-15,000 pounds pushing forward, and pulling backwards. Far too often we forget that the shear force of the camper in motion is enough to propel the tow vehicle into oblivion. Basically, too many just don't REALLY understand the potential danger, or they think such things will never happen to them.
Living in a snow state myself, I have learned, with trailer in tow or not, when the temperatures reach freezing, it's time to slow down. Even dew on the ground, or mist in the air can settle on a road when it's freezing temperatures and cause a layer of ice that may not even be noticed. Most autos will handle it with no problem. But it only takes one time to end up having a very bad day.
Rule number 1, and probably the only rule, when temperatures reach freezing, always assume the road has ice. This will instinctive cause you to drive different.
There is the only mistake you made, you did not anticipate the ice. Once you lost control, no matter speed you were traveling, there's not a whole lot you can do on ice. You got out physically unscathed although you did loose truck and trailer. I think you handled it pretty good! Better you probably could not have done, except anticipate the ice and drive accordingly.
