Manslaughter charges for improper towing equipment.

What has this got to do with RVing. ?

I scanned the article and it seemed to be centered about cargo not being secured properly.

downtheroad wrote:
I'm all for seeing the rules enforced.

Yes,but they should enforce them before someone is killed.I see improperly towed vehicles all the time.I don't think most cops know what they are looking at when it comes to trailer hookups.

State Of California requires brakes on two wheels for trailers of 1500 pounds and up, so the unit involved in this incident was definitlly in violation of the law.

navegator

I often see the question "Does my towed need a braking system"

Now in this story it was a cargo trailer... But fact is, when you hook a car behind a motor home it is ... The same as a trailer.. in fact... Reading the definition of "Trailer" in the Michigan vehicle code, it fits 100% (A true trailer does not, but is covered under other language).

(NOTE: Michigan is the only vehicle code I have on hard drive).

Not only is the driver facing possible criminal charges but the wrongful death civil suit can easily make one shudder as well.. Brakes on the trailer.. Important.

D.E.Bishop wrote:
You can say what you want about out CHP being too aggressive but if they were this wouldn't have happened. My point being there are too many folks in California trying to avoid the taxes that pay for the CHP and other safety related services.

I don't know all that went on before and after the accident but I am glad to see something is being done.

bid_time wrote:
I'd bet manslaughter charges against the driver will never be filed. We'll wait and see.

The weight issue is the least important violation listed, No trailer breaks (Break away) and improper safety chains are the real issues here.

How many run simple "S" hooks on your safety chains? The safety chains on my daughters Gooseneck horse trailer are big, and have spring latches.

I'd bet manslaughter charges against the driver will never be filed. We'll wait and see.

You can say what you want about out CHP being too aggressive but if they were this wouldn't have happened. My point being there are too many folks in California trying to avoid the taxes that pay for the CHP and other safety related services.

I don't know all that went on before and after the accident but I am glad to see something is being done.

KMLsquared wrote:
Link

All too typical journalistic integrity.
In one place, they say the hitch on the van did not have the proper capacity. In another, they say the trailer coupler did not have the proper capacity.
From the picture, it looks like the ball on the van is still in place, so I guess it was actually the trailer coupler that failed.
SO, the trailer was inadequate for the job. The safety chains were not (and apparently could not be) hooked up properly. The trailer did not have a breakaway braking system as required by law.
At least two, possibly three (I'm not sure about the weight rating in CA, it would probably not be a violation here), violations of known laws.
IMO, charges are justified.

popeyemth wrote:
I've said before and will repeat here:
It's not the cops one should worry about but the lawsuit for damages.
The judge might give a fine and/or a weekend in jail,tops.
The civil suit jury will devastate this person,and their future.

yep, and juries are very sympathetic to the injured party and they feel it is coming from an insurance company so nobody is hurt with a large settlement, even if insurance ends up covering only a small portion of that.
bumpy