Lost control when towing?
Purpose of this post is for me to learn something, If you don't have first hand experience with a towing accident and you do respond please extend all the courtesies as if it were you that this happe...
Forum Discussion
I had a steer tire go rapidly flat (didn't blow--just dropped to the rim in a very fast manner after picking up a piece of metal that gouged the tire in that little space between the tread) doing 7o mph in a fully loaded tractor-trailer. I was along for the ride. Yeah, I know ALL THE PROFESSIONALS will tell how you are suppose to react....let me tell you PROS...when that tire dropped, the front started heading to the wall (PA T/P) you WILL react by turning the wheel while you mutter "what the ....". Even after the "what" took in my brain, I still went for a ride as that initial wiggle up front, caused a sway in that trailer that used up both lanes as well as a lot of the shoulders. Luckly I did NOT react by slamming on the brakes. I rode it out using the entire road (thank God no one was beside me), then once the trailer was pulled back under me, I able to limp to the shoulder. Even that scared the #### out of me...just trying to aim at the shoulder on one wheel felt like I was driving on jello.
Finding statistical data on RV accidents is almost impossible, because they are simply reported as car accidents (as compared to bus or tractor-trailer---which have their own category).
However, the industry seems to report that "sway" is the number one reason for accidents (especially the hitch industry---they might be biased). The number one reason for that sway is WIND, followed by improper driving technique and wrong set-up.
In my instance, the blown tire was the start of the problem....but if things had gone south, it would have been because of the sway. Given enough time and space, you can ride out a blown steer tire. It is reacting to the time and space (turning wheel right because you suddenly lurched left) that begins the wiggle, that causes the sway, that results in total loss of control.
Do not believe the bigger TV tales you see on here. Yes, A bigger TV is nice, but look at reality. The average semi CAB pulls a trailer 3 times it's own weight. Even that 15,000 lb day cab manages to keep a 60,000 lbs loaded trailer behind it. A single axel day cab (think fedex, UPS, etc...) manages to pull 2-3 trailers in a relative straigt line. OK, NOT that straight, which is why we refer to them as wiggle-wagons. It is more about proper set-up and good driving habits. Figure I better add that: If by "bigger" the reference is to payload, suspension, etc... than yes Bigger is better. I was just pointing out that a short/light TV can pull a heavy/long trailer when correctly set-up.
Now, what causes that sway under normal driving conditions is sure to be debated. It can all start with that wind, or even by hitting the brakes to hard. Maybe a jerk of the wheel that starts a wiggle, or improper set up that has you fighting the edge of that sway. Speed....of course speed does not help.
Your post is about "loss of control", but I suspect that the number one RV accident is rear-ending followed by side-swipe. Again, that DATA is hard to find...but, the average Joe Camper is not used to pulling that long/heavy object behind them.
Finding statistical data on RV accidents is almost impossible, because they are simply reported as car accidents (as compared to bus or tractor-trailer---which have their own category).
However, the industry seems to report that "sway" is the number one reason for accidents (especially the hitch industry---they might be biased). The number one reason for that sway is WIND, followed by improper driving technique and wrong set-up.
In my instance, the blown tire was the start of the problem....but if things had gone south, it would have been because of the sway. Given enough time and space, you can ride out a blown steer tire. It is reacting to the time and space (turning wheel right because you suddenly lurched left) that begins the wiggle, that causes the sway, that results in total loss of control.
Do not believe the bigger TV tales you see on here. Yes, A bigger TV is nice, but look at reality. The average semi CAB pulls a trailer 3 times it's own weight. Even that 15,000 lb day cab manages to keep a 60,000 lbs loaded trailer behind it. A single axel day cab (think fedex, UPS, etc...) manages to pull 2-3 trailers in a relative straigt line. OK, NOT that straight, which is why we refer to them as wiggle-wagons. It is more about proper set-up and good driving habits. Figure I better add that: If by "bigger" the reference is to payload, suspension, etc... than yes Bigger is better. I was just pointing out that a short/light TV can pull a heavy/long trailer when correctly set-up.
Now, what causes that sway under normal driving conditions is sure to be debated. It can all start with that wind, or even by hitting the brakes to hard. Maybe a jerk of the wheel that starts a wiggle, or improper set up that has you fighting the edge of that sway. Speed....of course speed does not help.
Your post is about "loss of control", but I suspect that the number one RV accident is rear-ending followed by side-swipe. Again, that DATA is hard to find...but, the average Joe Camper is not used to pulling that long/heavy object behind them.
