RV Accident US 131 in Michigan

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?

If you read my OP my truck was going in a straight line. The Hensley did exactly what it was supposed to and not allow the trailers actions to have any effect on the TV. I didn't even know that the trailer was side ways until I looked in the mirror to see who was going to hit us.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if I was still towing with my Reese dual cam we would have been in the ditch along side the rest of the vehicles. Could the trailer have over come the Hensley and put us in the ditch, probably. But the Hensley gave me the ability to save us from that outcome.

Like I said I don't know why I went that route to begin with, the TV show the Highway from Hell has the right name for the Coquihala Hwy.

If he was really speeding that TT would be a pile of trash off the road. My guess,,, he swerved for some reason and the short wheelbase ate his lunch. Perhaps he hit his brakes and the TT brakes did not react for some reason, same end result.

I am thinking that even a Freightliner isn't enough. Isn't that what is pictured here?

At least the Nissan kept it's wheels on the ground.

Well it is the internet and discussion is what we do. I guess it could have been set up correctly and he still lost it.

Wonder if speed, inattentiveness paid a part.

On the way home from camping we saw another accident, looked like an Avion trailer pulled by an Expedition that was also turned around, but going down into the side of runoff along the Xway and the truck was completely turned around while the trailer was like perpendicular to the road, still halfway into the right lane.

Sorry didn't get a pic, my youngest was playing around on my phone and didn't have time to get it and try to take a pic.

bguy wrote:
The only real conclusion here is that the driver lost control. All the rest is conjecture.

Do we? Maybe it was a Google car.

The only real conclusion here is that the driver lost control. All the rest is conjecture.

E&J push'n wind wrote:

Ron Gratz wrote:

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

Ron, I've read many of your posts and I conceed to you as one who is very knowledgeable on the "workings" of these HA's and PP hitches. My appologies to hddecker as my statement kind'a "called him out" on this one. Even with your explanation Ron I'm still kind'a.., baffeled? In the demonstration Hensley gives in their video, it shows that the Hensley at the trailer end cannot move. However, as an owner of a Hensley, I too am familiar with the "bump" and as I've seen it explained, I do understand that. Hensley will have to perhaps explain that one. Anyway, I do see your point on this.

OMG, the bump again. :R

I do believe the discussion was about a slippery road and the proof of that was all the vehicles *off* the road a bit further on.


This is the important point in Ron's post:

Ron wrote:
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.

Although I do believe the word force should be replaced with resistance.


I have seen more than a few tractor trailers jack-knife right in front of me on I-90 here in PA in the winter. Something must have been wrong with their hitches.

thomasmnile wrote:

dspencer wrote:
I have to go now and buy a Freightliner to pull my 26ft Bunkhouse. :R

Are you sure that will be enough truck...........;)

I laughed at this comment....but seriously..I agree with the other posts. Too many unknowns here and I'd hate to make assumptions. Things can happen quickly. I'd like to think with my years of experience with rv's I have a good combo, set up properly and I also drive conservatively. However things can still happen beyond my control.

That is an armada which is titan based and v8 powered. It's a very capable tow rig. But as many have said we don't know what caused this accident. I can't tell if he was using wd or sc from the pics. If not, that's a major issue contributor in my mind. Especially if he was driving too fast. I just hope they are ok.

I also don't feel it has anything to do with weight bars to tight. The rear end of that dulley was also off the ground in that video referenced prior, and in that video there was a shot close enough that I did not see any wd or sc on that rig. I believe the rear tires were simply leveraged off the ground when the trailer went over...I don't believe there is any way to prevent that regardless of tv or set-up when a tt rolls and stays connected to the tv. It would be interesting to know for sure if the armada was using wd/sc or not....but that will likely remain a mystery.

With all that said it does appear to be a very long 30+ foot rig. The armada is roughly the same length as my expy.with similar capabilities...and there is no way I'd want more than my 23' Layton behind my expy....could I pull a trailer that long with the expy? I'm sure I could go down the road with it....but at what safety margin and for how long? There are enough unknowns out there already with knucklehead drivers and changing road conditions..those are variables/limits I don't wish to explore

Just my thoughts...

dspencer wrote:
I have to go now and buy a Freightliner to pull my 26ft Bunkhouse. :R

Are you sure that will be enough truck...........;)

Ron Gratz wrote:

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

Ron, I've read many of your posts and I conceed to you as one who is very knowledgeable on the "workings" of these HA's and PP hitches. My appologies to hddecker as my statement kind'a "called him out" on this one. Even with your explanation Ron I'm still kind'a.., baffeled? In the demonstration Hensley gives in their video, it shows that the Hensley at the trailer end cannot move. However, as an owner of a Hensley, I too am familiar with the "bump" and as I've seen it explained, I do understand that. Hensley will have to perhaps explain that one. Anyway, I do see your point on this.