Cleanup of 5th wheel accident in California

gitane59 wrote:
You know, I suspect everyone is missing an important factor that caused this accident to be much more damaging to the TV and trailer than needed. The question needs to be asked what forces caused the driver's rear rim to snap? I damaged a OEM aluminium wheel on my truck and seriously considered going to fancy aftermarket wheels. I contacted several dealers of aftermarket wheels and not single one would sell me aftermarket wheels as soon as I told them what I towed.
Everyone dealer stated unequivocally that aftermarket wheels are not strong and would not make a sale to me knowing I towed a large fiver.
I think we all agree he was already overloaded for the truck before the lift and wheel are taken into consideration.
I would be willing to bet that the drivers side rear wheel snapped from either the initial impact or from being forced sideways after the initial impact.
Once the wheel snapped that corner of the truck would have dropped and the hub would then have immediately dug into the pavement creating a severely twisting action causing the truck to flip and the hitch rails to give way.

After seeing this I am glad I took the aftermarket wheel dealers advice and source a replacement OEM wheel for my dually.
Glad everyone was uninjured. Be safe out there.

I went looking for after market rims when I wanted to up grade tires on my truck. While at Discount Tire picking out rims from a book, the tire rep was on the phone with each brands rep to see if they were compatible with towing a 5th wheel. Amazingly several of my 1st choices were denied. The rims I ended up with were the only ones that I liked enough and that the rep said wouldd be fine.

Whether or not the driver got broad sided or how the wreck took place really doesn't grasp the fact that he had a 5+" lift kit and oversize tires on his new truck and at the same time pulling overweight. The 5th wheel had to be running nose high which would cause the tail wagging the dog syndrome. All those factors along with a possible weak rim contributed to the wreck.