Video of TT flips over on Parkway Monday
Monday July 24,2017 New Jersey Parkway A driver is lucky to be alive after the SUV he was driving overturned while towing a camper on a busy New Jersey highway Monday afternoon. Yup I can tow tha...
Forum Discussion
I think having a larger tow vehicle is just masking the problem. If you're going to be hauling something that big, presumably with family, friends, pets, plus the lives of everyone around you, in YOUR hands - you need to know how to control the thing. I suppose if that's beyond someones capacity, then yes - they should certainly buy a larger tow vehicle, and I guess I don't really have a problem with that mantra in such a situation since they've essentially admitted that they can't safely haul any other way.
I guess the problem with some TT / RV rigs is that for some, it's their ONLY hauling experience of their lives, and in many cases they're doing it for the first time later in their life.
There isn't much instinct involved yet - they've been doing the "gas is go, brake is stop, turn is turn" driving their entire life.
I see the same thing in snows around here. Most of the new neighborhoods and developments in Loudoun County (Northern VA) are almost exclusively IT and medical families of a certain two or three ethnic groups, all moving here within the last few years. Every time it snows, it's a complete disaster - I guess many can say that about any location, but the complete and utter lack of understanding for basic vehicle physics is amazing. Crazy speeds, people slamming on brakes and gas, changing lanes and running one side of axles through the slush and losing control instantly, tailgating with zero traction, cutting ME OFF when I allow correct following distance, etc. Every season there's a new group/ development / neighborhood of people who are seeing snow for the first time.
I've been hauling most of my driving life, and have had some CLOSE calls (biggest with a diesel F350 I might add, not even an SUV). In that situation on a long 7% down-grade, the POS brakes on the '03 just simply lost it. I already had the gain up and the trans had downshifted a while ago, traveling at slow speeds the whole time, but eventually if you even tapped the brake pedal the steering wheel would rip out of your hands. I reached down and grabbed the manual gain lever knowing it was this or the runaway truck ramp, and luckily the trailer brakes saved our a$$. Nothing like putting your life, the kids behind you, and four ponies into the hands of a little $10 trailer plug. Wasn't my rig (and this was probably 10yr ago) but wow, also blew turbo hoses, nearly overheated upon reaching peak of climb grade (fully floored, decreasing speed the entire time down to 20mph, and locked-up clutch fan). Actually that's the same VA-KY run I just did with my 30' TT and LR3 which was far more uneventful. :)
Anyways, this stuff is a dangerous business - lots of physics at play, lots of momentum, and lots of people in the mix. Most first-time drivers don't even know what can happen or what the warning signs are. Again - gas=go, brake=stop, turn=turn. What could go wrong?
I actually see a lot of parallels to general aviation accidents. Good pilots never lose respect for physics and just how quickly things can go down hill. Every stupid routine flight requires professionalism and complete attention. The people that jump in, turn the key, skip checklists, or break rules (especially trying to beat/underestimate weather) don't last too long. Same thing as the SUV vs. truck debate, doesn't matter if you're flying a 1960's 172 or a multi-million turboprop - gotta know what you're doing.
I guess the problem with some TT / RV rigs is that for some, it's their ONLY hauling experience of their lives, and in many cases they're doing it for the first time later in their life.
There isn't much instinct involved yet - they've been doing the "gas is go, brake is stop, turn is turn" driving their entire life.
I see the same thing in snows around here. Most of the new neighborhoods and developments in Loudoun County (Northern VA) are almost exclusively IT and medical families of a certain two or three ethnic groups, all moving here within the last few years. Every time it snows, it's a complete disaster - I guess many can say that about any location, but the complete and utter lack of understanding for basic vehicle physics is amazing. Crazy speeds, people slamming on brakes and gas, changing lanes and running one side of axles through the slush and losing control instantly, tailgating with zero traction, cutting ME OFF when I allow correct following distance, etc. Every season there's a new group/ development / neighborhood of people who are seeing snow for the first time.
I've been hauling most of my driving life, and have had some CLOSE calls (biggest with a diesel F350 I might add, not even an SUV). In that situation on a long 7% down-grade, the POS brakes on the '03 just simply lost it. I already had the gain up and the trans had downshifted a while ago, traveling at slow speeds the whole time, but eventually if you even tapped the brake pedal the steering wheel would rip out of your hands. I reached down and grabbed the manual gain lever knowing it was this or the runaway truck ramp, and luckily the trailer brakes saved our a$$. Nothing like putting your life, the kids behind you, and four ponies into the hands of a little $10 trailer plug. Wasn't my rig (and this was probably 10yr ago) but wow, also blew turbo hoses, nearly overheated upon reaching peak of climb grade (fully floored, decreasing speed the entire time down to 20mph, and locked-up clutch fan). Actually that's the same VA-KY run I just did with my 30' TT and LR3 which was far more uneventful. :)
Anyways, this stuff is a dangerous business - lots of physics at play, lots of momentum, and lots of people in the mix. Most first-time drivers don't even know what can happen or what the warning signs are. Again - gas=go, brake=stop, turn=turn. What could go wrong?
I actually see a lot of parallels to general aviation accidents. Good pilots never lose respect for physics and just how quickly things can go down hill. Every stupid routine flight requires professionalism and complete attention. The people that jump in, turn the key, skip checklists, or break rules (especially trying to beat/underestimate weather) don't last too long. Same thing as the SUV vs. truck debate, doesn't matter if you're flying a 1960's 172 or a multi-million turboprop - gotta know what you're doing.
