Passenger in your 5er

[theoldwizard1]

While I know it is illegal (at least in most states) is there any logical reason that passengers should not be allow to ride in a 5er while going down the road ? Sure, they need to be seated in a well designed, bolted down chair with at least a seat belt, but are the odds of the trailer being struck any more than the tow vehicle ?

[fj12ryder]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Comparing motorcycles to riding in a TT or FW??

Is there 'anyone' on this forum that has 'not' seen all the pictures and videos posted of what happens when a TT/FW jack knifes and/or turns over, etc?

They literally explode into pieces. Nothing recognizable remains after most crashes.

THAT in itself should be the reason not to put pets or family IN a RV trailer while it is being towed.

To paraphrase: "Is there 'anyone' on this forum that has 'not' seen all the pictures and videos posted of what happens when an airplane crashes?"

You can't say it's unsafe simply because the aftermath is just pieces. If that were true then it would be totally unsafe to ride in airplanes, buses, and trains. Most of them are reduced to trash after a major crash. But you're safer in any of those than you are in your car/truck. And if you compare the number of RV's involved in accidents, you're probably more likely to be involved in an accident in your car or truck, than to be involved in an accident in your RV.

[rockhillmanor]

Comparing motorcycles to riding in a TT or FW??

Is there 'anyone' on this forum that has 'not' seen all the pictures and videos posted of what happens when a TT/FW jack knifes and/or turns over, etc?

They literally explode into pieces. Nothing recognizable remains after most crashes.

THAT in itself should be the reason not to put pets or family IN a RV trailer while it is being towed.

[Cummins12V98]

It is LEGAL in many states with some sort of communication with the driver. Some no communication required. some simply NO.

My wife has ridden our previous 5ers with no issue.

[JAC1982]

School buses also don't have seatbelts because in the event of an accident or something like a fire, the bus driver has to be able to get the kids out quickly and safely. That process goes much faster if they aren't belted in.

[MFL]

colliehauler wrote:

"I have rode motorcycles for years and avoided lots of potential accidents by defensive driving."

Yes, motorcycles can be dangerous, due to little protection from a collision with a larger vehicle. The good news, like mention, riding a motorcycle for lots of years, makes you a more defensive driver, no matter what you are driving. Road rage, tailgating etc, has made driving anything more risky. I do notice other drivers are more respectful, when I'm driving a truck/trailer.

Jerry

[fj12ryder]

colliehauler wrote:

SugarHillCTD wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Your tow vehicle has airbags, crush zones, seat belts, shoulder harnesses, and more all there to protect the occupants. Trailer has nothing. Couldn't pay me to ride in one.

B.O.

No more dangerous than riding a motorcycle.

Strongly disagree.

On a motorcycle you can see around you and, in many cases, control the situation. Smart riders will wear a helmet and all the proper safety gear.

In a trailer you have almost no vision around you and zero control over the vehicle. You probably aren't wearing anything other than street clothes.

Agree with both of these post's. Most rv's are not designed to be ridden in during transport. I have rode motorcycles for years and avoided lots of potential accidents by defensive driving. While the risk might be low riding in the RV it isn't non-existing. Depends on your tolerance to risk.

For years school busses didn't have seat belts because there was such a low risk of being involved in a accident.

AFAIK, most school buses still don't have seat belts. It all boils down to figuring the odds. The odds are if you are in a trailer when it crashes, you will be hurt. However the chances of you being hurt in your tow vehicle are much higher than you being hurt while traveling in a trailer. Life's a risk.

[colliehauler]

SugarHillCTD wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Your tow vehicle has airbags, crush zones, seat belts, shoulder harnesses, and more all there to protect the occupants. Trailer has nothing. Couldn't pay me to ride in one.

B.O.

No more dangerous than riding a motorcycle.

Strongly disagree.

On a motorcycle you can see around you and, in many cases, control the situation. Smart riders will wear a helmet and all the proper safety gear.

In a trailer you have almost no vision around you and zero control over the vehicle. You probably aren't wearing anything other than street clothes.

Agree with both of these post's. Most rv's are not designed to be ridden in during transport. I have rode motorcycles for years and avoided lots of potential accidents by defensive driving. While the risk might be low riding in the RV it isn't non-existing. Depends on your tolerance to risk.

For years school busses didn't have seat belts because there was such a low risk of being involved in a accident.

[hyattjlbb]

While legal in ND (5th wheel only, with communication) I wouldn't ever do it on the highway. Through a campground or similar, maybe. These things are built out of toothpicks and tin-foil. However, the motorhome comment does bring point up a good point as really, only the cab of the Class C type RV has the same safety mechanisms.

[Gearitis]

I placed a video camera in my 5er a few years back, just to see what was going on back there, thinking about putting the dog in that situation. After I watched the video, I was shocked at how violent it really is, mainly behind the axles. I wish I could find that video and I could link it up to share.

[laknox]

DutchmenSport wrote:
I was watching an rerun on television just a couple days ago. Remember the TV show CHiPS? (California Highway Patrol?) With Ponch and Jon?

In this episode, a truck camper with husband and wife were in the cab of the truck. The two kids, boy and girl, were riding in the truck camper. The truck was in an accident, rolled over an embankment. Camper separated from the truck, truck all smashed up, the dad ended up having a broken back, the mom was thrown out of the truck when flinging over the embankment. (yes, long before the days of seat belts)...

The two kids landed safe. Not even a scratch! They were yelling and screaming because the door of the camper was jammed. Now imagine that, it rolled down an embankment, separated from the truck, flipped over, and landed almost right side up... yea .. television dramatics ... I know.

They finally forced the door of the camper open and the kids were fine, except the girl got hugs and lots of attention.

I know ... Hollywood theatrics. Still, when I saw that, I thought of this thread.

Hell, when that show was made, the TC probably =could= have survived as it was likely built a whole lot better than what's built today.

Lyle

[pyoung47]

Far cheaper than a divorce.

[DutchmenSport]

Wadcutter wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
...has this actually happened? .... Real life examples

... As a LEO it was my job to respond to crashes. They call the police to respond, not someone who posts on the internet.

THIS is the experience I was asking for. I think that settles it ... DON'T let anyone EVER ride in a trailer.

The debate can now be successfully drawn to a conclusion! :B

Thanks Wadcutter!

[Wadcutter]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Just curious, to stir the pot a little more.... does anyone know of, or seen, or actually heard, or even read anywhere where someone was riding in the back of a 5er or a TT and the trailer was involved in an accident? If so, what was the outcome of the passengers in the trailer? In the real world setting, has this actually happened? We can speculate and theorize till the cows come home. Real life examples might be more beneficial to this discussion.

Seen several where people had pets in the 5er and TT involved in a crash. Some were killed, some were injured, some weren't hurt.
Your question is too broad tho. Crashes vary in severity from a fender bender to total destruction. As a LEO it was my job to respond to crashes. They call the police to respond, not someone who posts on the internet.

If no one responds, then I can assume no one has actual first hand knowledge, so pretty much everything discussed here, about how dangerous it is to ride in a trailer is all speculation.

Just because no one responds or hasn't seen it doesn't mean an event hasn't happen. A lot goes on around you in your world that you never know about or haven't any clue something happened. Have you ever picked up bodies from an airplane crash? Picked up pieces of a person who had been hit by a train? Pick up body parts in a 5 gallon bucket and hose of what remains off into a ditch? Ever seen any of those situations up close and in person? Few ever have. If you haven't seen it then guess none of that ever happened.

[DutchmenSport]

I was watching an rerun on television just a couple days ago. Remember the TV show CHiPS? (California Highway Patrol?) With Ponch and Jon?

In this episode, a truck camper with husband and wife were in the cab of the truck. The two kids, boy and girl, were riding in the truck camper. The truck was in an accident, rolled over an embankment. Camper separated from the truck, truck all smashed up, the dad ended up having a broken back, the mom was thrown out of the truck when flinging over the embankment. (yes, long before the days of seat belts)...

The two kids landed safe. Not even a scratch! They were yelling and screaming because the door of the camper was jammed. Now imagine that, it rolled down an embankment, separated from the truck, flipped over, and landed almost right side up... yea .. television dramatics ... I know.

They finally forced the door of the camper open and the kids were fine, except the girl got hugs and lots of attention.

I know ... Hollywood theatrics. Still, when I saw that, I thought of this thread.