MH accident in gas station!

When I see things like this, I prefer not to run down the driver for making such a mistake (especially when I know nothing of the specific circumstances around how it happened). I think he has enough 'consequences' to deal with now without us making it worse by running him (or her) down in a public forum.

I just feel sorry for the driver, family. Their beautiful rig, which looks pretty new, is now badly damaged. It may well never be the same again or be worth fixing. Their trip ruined. Not to mention how embarrassing and stressful this was for them.

Before we run down the driver for making this mistake (however it happened)....Think of how easily any one of us could have made a similar mistake like this, and how you'd feel about people talking about you on a public forum like some on here are. Not a one of us are perfect, even though we seem to sometimes think we are.

Just be thankful you've been fortunate enough to not make such a mistake and have your rig tore up like this!

No I to was in Military and My training was tester asked if we drove a stick raise you hands. If you did come out see if you can drive that was it you either did or didn't most did like myself. Sorry Viet Nam Vet. But now saying once people get the paper to drive they lose there mind and drive the way they want.... Yep test goes out the door means nothing look truckers have cdls most drive great then some loose there minds test mean nothing ....

Walaby wrote:
I wonder how many of the folks here clamoring for mandatory training and licensing actually had said training themselves? Some, Im sure, but I bet not all. Of course when they were learning, things were different.

And the bit about getting an attorney? Please... Im guessing you have one on speed dial?

Its amazing all the speculation.

Mike

Well Mike, add me to the list of those trained. Would Military training to drive a wrecker with truck and trailer in tow qualify? Over 70 ft. long.

Richard

As many times as I have entered and exited fueling stations, I had my first oh sh!t incident last trip. The station was tight, so we creeped out looking carefully at the rear and front wheels, but we didnnt notice we got too close to an awning hanging low off the side of the building and hit it with the front windshield. Even though the awning didn’t extend past the curb, there was just enough moho overhang on the passenger top to extend over the curb even though the tire never hit the curb.

Lesson learned was to go even slower and watch the top as well as the bottom when entering and exiting. The service station could have had a low overhang warning since it was considerably lower than the 16 foot roof/awning over the pumps, but still it was my fault for not being careful enough.

I don’t think any additional training on driving an RV would’ve prevented my incident. I’m thinking that I will only frequent Pilots and Loves from here on since there is generally better ingress and egress for gassers to access the pumps.

I wonder how many of the folks here clamoring for mandatory training and licensing actually had said training themselves? Some, Im sure, but I bet not all. Of course when they were learning, things were different.

And the bit about getting an attorney? Please... Im guessing you have one on speed dial?

Its amazing all the speculation.

Mike

Check the video! At some point early on, the tow truck guy stated that the axle was out of position but they could probably loosen the shackle and move it back into position to "make it towable" (His words) Which I took to mean towable from the front. Somewhere along the way this plan was abandoned and they were "forced" to tow from the rear. Without knowing what actually happened to that plan, we should refrain from criticizing the tow driver. It would have been a tough job to move the axle back into position for front towing, and maybe impossible in this circumstance. Give the guy a break. He's the on site expert and has to make difficult decisions on the spot without our benefit of 20-20 hind sight.

Bert Ackerman wrote:

wallynm wrote:
The driver must have been deaf or on the phone to do that much damage without hearing of feeling it and stopping sooner.

Or the fact that some people are simply morons. Maybe the driver was. My brother in law is one. He can break anything or wreck anything. If he wants to borrow a tool or piece of equipment I know I'll be fixing it, sharpening it, or replacing it when returned. He wrote the encyclopedia on cutting dirt and rocks with chainsaws.

A friend of mine who was an auto tech for +30 years had this sign posted in his garage, . . . . . . in big bold letters:

"NO TOOLS LOANED, PLEASE DON'T ASK"

He was VERY particular about his tools. He was more than happy to help most people with just about anything. But, . . . . . just DON'T touch his tools.

Chum lee

wallynm wrote:
The driver must have been deaf or on the phone to do that much damage without hearing of feeling it and stopping sooner.

Or the fact that some people are simply morons. Maybe the driver was. My brother in law is one. He can break anything or wreck anything. If he wants to borrow a tool or piece of equipment I know I'll be fixing it, sharpening it, or replacing it when returned. He wrote the encyclopedia on cutting dirt and rocks with chainsaws.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Sometime stuff just happens. This might have been a momentary lapse in memory of which vehicle he was driving. Luckily it looks like no one was injured, which is the main thing.
I remember at one station where I was filling up and the RV next to me was pulling out to exit after he had filled his tank. He did not exit straight out of his position and caught his rear overhang on the island guard. It ripped his rear cap right off and left it dangling before he stopped. This was a diesel pusher and I guess the damages amounted to $20,000 plus, not to mention the horror of having to listen to his DW about everything he did wrong and how this ruined the trip, gave her "age" lines, etc. I'm sure this guy's significant other will remind him of this incident for decades to come.

silly assessment in your state all would need to do it and horns need to be disconnected

My family has been in the towing business for 60+ years. As far as the tow went the tow truck was to small for the job but he done fine winching it away from the pumps. Even though I suspect he was fine picking it up by the hitch since that was the only thing he could do with that equipment. If he would have had the correct equipment he could have reached clear under and lifted it by the rear axel even though it was out of position, the axel was still attached to the springs but had moved. Would still have been an awkward tow that way. So considering his equipment I think he did the best he could. That business at that mud hole storage lot knocking off the mirror etc left something to be desired.
Owner of motor home didn't seem to be much concerned though.