RV Accident US 131 in Michigan

E&J push'n wind wrote:

opnspaces wrote:

hddecker wrote:
I let up on the throttle a bit next thing I see in the mirror, backend of the trailer about three feet to the left of center.

Trucks going straight, a little tap to the brake controller switch and the trailer gets back where it belongs.

Sure was happy I had the Hensley Hitch that day.

Did anybody catch this post by hddecker? Not picking on you at all hd, just caught the part that your Hensley let the trailer get out of shape. I thought that supposedly wasn't possible?

I tow with a Hensley too, yeah.., I did catch that but let it go. No, it is not possible unless something is bending or the shear bolts have let go in which case you'll have a mess on your hands. I'd like to hear how that is possible.

I think we should not imply that "hddecker" was seeing things.
It's entirely possible -- especially in a low traction condition as might have happened if you're driving in Canada at Christmas time.

It the trailer tires lose their ability to generate lateral force, there is nothing to prevent the trailer from swinging to the side -- makes no difference whether towing with a HA/PP hitch or a conventional hitch.

When "hddecker" let up on the throttle, the 4-bar linkage might have produced a "bump" event which resulted in the trailer swinging to the side.
Even with no "bump", the trailer still can swing if the tire/pavement friction cannot generate sufficient lateral force.

Ron

opnspaces wrote:

hddecker wrote:
I let up on the throttle a bit next thing I see in the mirror, backend of the trailer about three feet to the left of center.

Trucks going straight, a little tap to the brake controller switch and the trailer gets back where it belongs.

Sure was happy I had the Hensley Hitch that day.

Did anybody catch this post by hddecker? Not picking on you at all hd, just caught the part that your Hensley let the trailer get out of shape. I thought that supposedly wasn't possible?

I tow with a Hensley too, yeah.., I did catch that but let it go. No, it is not possible unless something is bending or the shear bolts have let go in which case you'll have a mess on your hands. I'd like to hear how that is possible.

My top guesses would be:

1. One of those who tow at 80mph the new 65.

2. Judging by rear wheels off the ground, spring bars were WAY too tight.

3. Dealer said it would be fine.

Seriously, I would say the first thing to consider would have to be the size and weight of the TT for that TV.

Maybe a gust of strong wind happened? I can't imagine that Armada being able to handle a strong gust of wind.

We were driving on I-90 in Wa. a few days ago and the wind was strong and gusting. Even though we have a 3/4 ton long wheelbase truck and "only" a 29' TT and a good WDH, I ended up slowing down to 50mph. I thought maybe it was me until we ran into someone at our destination who tows a TT along that same stretch a lot. He said FWs have been known to have been blown over. A semi truck driver told us at a rest stop that even they have trouble there sometimes. That was the only time I've ever had trouble with wind and I can see how an unexpected blast of wind could really catch you off guard. If it doesn't feel right, slow down....

And a few days before that, we had to drive about 10-20 miles on a stretch of highway into Spokane recently repaved with tar & gravel. There were many signs saying DANGER and max 35 mph. I couldn't do more than 40 without feeling like being on ice. Yet everyone else on the road was flying by at high speed, including a few TTs and FWs and were all crossing the center line to pass where the loose gravel still was. I expected to see at least one of the trailers on it's side up ahead, but fortunately didn't.

I don't understand how some say they just reach down to their B/C and snap the trailer back in line. You could be all over the road in the blink of an eye.

gunner65 wrote:
I hope none of the arm-chair quarter backs around here never have an accident we can critique. Hope the family was ok (I only assume from the photo that they were not harmed)

Boy isn't that the truth, the weight police and arm chair quarterbacks are out if full force and not a single one of them has the correct facts. I have to go now and buy a Freightliner to pull my 26ft Bunkhouse. :R

hddecker wrote:
I let up on the throttle a bit next thing I see in the mirror, backend of the trailer about three feet to the left of center.

Trucks going straight, a little tap to the brake controller switch and the trailer gets back where it belongs.

Sure was happy I had the Hensley Hitch that day.

Did anybody catch this post by hddecker? Not picking on you at all hd, just caught the part that your Hensley let the trailer get out of shape. I thought that supposedly wasn't possible?

mileshuff wrote:
A good guess would be that this trailer is a 2010 Keystone Outback. Looks like one of the longer ones. Weight maybe ok as the larger 260FL weighs about 6500lbs dry but thats without options or cargo. My issue would be the length if towing on a windy day or with passing semi's.

The TT has the same roof config of my Outback 301 BQ. TT is 33'+ and 8800lbs max wt. I wouldn't consider towing it with anything less than a 2500. I like the added safety margin of a larger truck because as road conditions change, you never know what is around the next corner. I suppose a properly adjusted Nissan could tow a larger unit like this. It just seems they would be right at the limits of there TV capabilities.

I hope none of the arm-chair quarter backs around here never have an accident we can critique. Hope the family was ok (I only assume from the photo that they were not harmed)

gsmith31 wrote:
ok a one ton dully can do the same thing.http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=rv+rollover+crash+i+40+nm&form=VIRE2&first=1#view=detail&mid=BDA277AF68337514F287BDA277AF68337514F287

click

I had an idea this would come up.

ok a one ton dully can do the same thing.http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=rv+rollover+crash+i+40+nm&form=VIRE2&first=1#view=detail&mid=BDA277AF68337514F287BDA277AF68337514F287

Probably had the fridge on propane too! :S