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
If I may throw some discussion in on your question to the group.
You asked if the trailer brake will help snap the trailer back in line: Yes and No,depends on many factors, I drove over the road trucks for a very large national trucking company, they provided driver training quite frequently, The one that I enjoyed the most was the skid pan, they had a 45 foot trailer rigged to be able to lock up any wheel in a skid in any configuration.
The trucks all had slick tires so as to make skidding easy, a very large concrete area was wet down and we were given different scenarios to deal with.
Each one required different throttle and braking applications.
I can tell you that using the trailer brake to correct a loose trailer is very tricky and takes allot of practice to get it right most of the time.
I will say that the common factor leading up to loss of control was speed!!
Using the trailer brakes took quick short applications along with acceleration and foot braking, When the trailer slides out it becomes a full effort in the drivers seat!! both hands and both feet are busy and your heart pounds like crazy! I have a regular pull trailer (bumper pull) and it is very easy loose control on ice and snow, It has only taken one return trip in a snow storm over the Sierra mountains on a push to get home in time, I was allowed to proceed because I had mud and snow tires and 4 wheel drive.Even at slow speed the trailer wanted to do its own thing a few times.
Was I in 4 wheel drive? No, I have my own reasons on that from totally different events, but I will say that the 4wd did NOT help for stopping only in acceleration, and in very slippery conditions lead to loss of steering.
4wd is up to you and your experience with it. Trailer control by means of trailer brake only takes practice and a cool head! short applications can work, but again it all depends on a thousand other factors.
But by far slowing down gives you more time to recover in most situations and sometimes not even entering into questionable weather is prudent.
I am not sure about your region but some states and some counties in the US have defensive driving courses available and are well worth the money some may provide work with trailers but if not you will pick up some useful information and seat time, I highly recommend it!
Glad you were not injured and walked away!!
You asked if the trailer brake will help snap the trailer back in line: Yes and No,depends on many factors, I drove over the road trucks for a very large national trucking company, they provided driver training quite frequently, The one that I enjoyed the most was the skid pan, they had a 45 foot trailer rigged to be able to lock up any wheel in a skid in any configuration.
The trucks all had slick tires so as to make skidding easy, a very large concrete area was wet down and we were given different scenarios to deal with.
Each one required different throttle and braking applications.
I can tell you that using the trailer brake to correct a loose trailer is very tricky and takes allot of practice to get it right most of the time.
I will say that the common factor leading up to loss of control was speed!!
Using the trailer brakes took quick short applications along with acceleration and foot braking, When the trailer slides out it becomes a full effort in the drivers seat!! both hands and both feet are busy and your heart pounds like crazy! I have a regular pull trailer (bumper pull) and it is very easy loose control on ice and snow, It has only taken one return trip in a snow storm over the Sierra mountains on a push to get home in time, I was allowed to proceed because I had mud and snow tires and 4 wheel drive.Even at slow speed the trailer wanted to do its own thing a few times.
Was I in 4 wheel drive? No, I have my own reasons on that from totally different events, but I will say that the 4wd did NOT help for stopping only in acceleration, and in very slippery conditions lead to loss of steering.
4wd is up to you and your experience with it. Trailer control by means of trailer brake only takes practice and a cool head! short applications can work, but again it all depends on a thousand other factors.
But by far slowing down gives you more time to recover in most situations and sometimes not even entering into questionable weather is prudent.
I am not sure about your region but some states and some counties in the US have defensive driving courses available and are well worth the money some may provide work with trailers but if not you will pick up some useful information and seat time, I highly recommend it!
Glad you were not injured and walked away!!
