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 happened My last two years at work before retirement, I interviewed our drivers that were involved in accidents. And some of our best drivers tips came from people involved in accidents.Last couple of weeks in my local news there has been several accidents either 5th wheels or trailers. I realize an RV laying on its side plugging up traffic and blocking the road makes a news story. But here is what I don't understand. These accidents are single vehicle accidents and loss of control. The area where these happened around me I doubt speeding was a factor. How does one loose control? Are we really speaking about texting or daydreaming or looking around or etc. I lost control one time, early 70's when the (new at the time) shiny alum wheels first came out. In a freightliner truck, doing about 60 mph. The right front wheel disintegrated, caused a blow out and I was to.all over my lane and the shoulder, for what seemed like a lifetime before I came to a stop. But that was a mechanical failure. To this day I can remember feeling helpless with a death grip on the steering wheel. If you've ever "lost control" towing something would you please comment. What do you think made you "loose control"? What would you do different? Do you remember it like it happened yesterday? Any advice that you think might help others? Thanks for your time and hopefully others can learn from your experience.

My only experience towing is with smaller trailers. I've never lost control.I don't think speed alone will cause you to lose control. We've all seen trailers of all types being towed at high speeds with no problem.But, I do think speed will increase your problems if you do lose control.Loss of control can result from several factors, blowout, crosswinds, being inattentive and running off the road, not seeing stopped traffic, loading of the trailer, mechanical problems, loose wheels, etc..

I was once driving in the rain and my 27ft TT started hydro planing and sliding into the right lane.i used the trailer brakes tapping and holding but it kept pulling. When it started pulling the back of the truck over I let it until the two were aligned again and then I lightly hit the gas and pulled it straight forward. I used all four lanes of traffic going in the same direction without interfering with traffic in the opposite direction. Fortunately everyone saw what was happening and gave me room. No harm no foul and it has never happened again.

How does one loose control?Several answersHappened to me ONCE, did not roll, recovered but with damage. turns out the lugs on one of the trailer tires was loose and when I cornered (on gravel) there was enough "Flop" to cause it to break free and slide into the ditch.. Thankfully it was a PUP so with the low center of gravity only minor damage (Dent) no roll.Next trailer I had was not stable.. We ended up doning multiple things (re-distribution of weight adding a stablizer (Reese friction sway bar) and it settled down but without mods it was downright scary,, Never lost control, Never hith 55 MPH either. (before mod) Too much trailer, Too litttle tow vehicle.. I see far too many people using an "F-150 class Truck to tow an F-350 class Trailer. Brakes! I don't need no steenking brakes on that trailer.Tire Inflation.. A underinflated tire reduces control (See loose lugs) in the same way my loos lugs did. Many people do not scale and use the inflation level specified on the sticker (Which in my case is too low)Others Inflate to the maximum mentioned on the Tire Sidewall, which in my case is correct. But often is not.. This too reduces control My Wife, driving a JEEP (no towed) wandered off the edge, over corrected getting back on the road (She had a tendency to do that, approached everything as a battle) Zig Zagged a couple times across the road and smacked into a tree at 50 MPH..... (if she had accepted my suggestion of a closer camp;ground she would still be alive today, Oh well). There are many ways to loose control.

....I do think speed will increase your problems if you do lose control.I would say that is an understatement! Speed, even if not the contributing factor, will drastically compound the problem leading to more dire results.There are countless reasons for loosing control, and many cases are beyond the drivers control. But I believe the majority of "accidents" are caused by drivers' inattentiveness or driving while fatigued and drowsy.

Wind.I once spent an extra 2 days at a KOA near Rapid City, South Dakota due to high winds.Finally, we had to get going.Between the campground and the freeway, there was a 53 foot semi on its side.We fueled up at Flying J, taking note of all the trucks and RVs sitting there waiting, wondering if we were doing the right thing by continuing. As it turned out, we were NOT doing the right or the smart thing. We made it, but it was a struggle. Within 5 miles of the Flying J, Westbound, we saw two more semis and a fifth wheel RV laying on their sides. The cross winds almost blew us into one of those, but I managed to keep the coach on the road.Between Big Timber and Livingston on I-90 there are often high cross winds. It is not at all unusual for high-profile RVs and semis to get blown off the road.

Lost control when towing? | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 10, 2016
How does one loose control?

Several answers
Happened to me ONCE, did not roll, recovered but with damage. turns out the lugs on one of the trailer tires was loose and when I cornered (on gravel) there was enough "Flop" to cause it to break free and slide into the ditch.. Thankfully it was a PUP so with the low center of gravity only minor damage (Dent) no roll.

Next trailer I had was not stable.. We ended up doning multiple things (re-distribution of weight adding a stablizer (Reese friction sway bar) and it settled down but without mods it was downright scary,, Never lost control, Never hith 55 MPH either. (before mod)

Too much trailer, Too litttle tow vehicle.. I see far too many people using an "F-150 class Truck to tow an F-350 class Trailer.

Brakes! I don't need no steenking brakes on that trailer.

Tire Inflation.. A underinflated tire reduces control (See loose lugs) in the same way my loos lugs did. Many people do not scale and use the inflation level specified on the sticker (Which in my case is too low)

Others Inflate to the maximum mentioned on the Tire Sidewall, which in my case is correct. But often is not.. This too reduces control

My Wife, driving a JEEP (no towed) wandered off the edge, over corrected getting back on the road (She had a tendency to do that, approached everything as a battle) Zig Zagged a couple times across the road and smacked into a tree at 50 MPH..... (if she had accepted my suggestion of a closer camp;ground she would still be alive today, Oh well).

There are many ways to loose control.
Anmacc2
Explorer
Jul 10, 2016
I was once driving in the rain and my 27ft TT started hydro planing and sliding into the right lane.i used the trailer brakes tapping and holding but it kept pulling. When it started pulling the back of the truck over I let it until the two were aligned again and then I lightly hit the gas and pulled it straight forward. I used all four lanes of traffic going in the same direction without interfering with traffic in the opposite direction. Fortunately everyone saw what was happening and gave me room. No harm no foul and it has never happened again.
gbopp
Explorer
Jul 10, 2016
My only experience towing is with smaller trailers. I've never lost control.

I don't think speed alone will cause you to lose control. We've all seen trailers of all types being towed at high speeds with no problem.
But, I do think speed will increase your problems if you do lose control.

Loss of control can result from several factors, blowout, crosswinds, being inattentive and running off the road, not seeing stopped traffic, loading of the trailer, mechanical problems, loose wheels, etc..

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Lost control when towing?

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