| Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Wipe-Out [message #323444 is a reply to message #323241] |
Wed, 06 September 2017 13:02  |
GMC.LES
Messages: 505
Registered: April 2014
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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I totally agree with Kerry's comments, but will add my own.
Often these accidents are the result of poor loading of the trailer, and an in-experienced driver.
I have always done exploratory emergency manoevers at varying speeds when driving a new vehicle configuration to "practice" the vehicle's reaction to adverse situations. It has helped me to react appropriately during sudden surprises.
I have a 21ft travel trailer that weighs in around 5500lbs fully loaded. I have pulled it with both my 2008 F250 crewcab and my 2004 Touareg. The f250 pulls it well without a load distribution hitch, but in a sudden avoidance manoever, the trailer will sway. Sway is affected greatly by how I load the trailer. More tongue weight helps enormously.
With the Touareg, I pull the same trailer using a load distribution hitch and trailer sway is less noticable. Part of that is due to a factory vehicle stability module that will help control trailer braking during detected swaying. Still, with the Touareg being a lighter, shorter vehicle, I have found that I am closer to total loss of control during the most agressive manoevers and I try to drive appropriately.
I believe that special driving lessons should be mandatory for heavy trailer towing AND for larger RVs. The focus should be on emergency manoevers.
Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'
> On Sep 3, 2017, at 7:47 AM, Kerry Pinkerton wrote:
>
> Going way too fast for sure but there were at least three things the driver should have done to prevent the wreck:
>
> 1- Have a hitch with load levelers. Anti-sway bars work well too but make it difficult to back up. The load lever bars level out the tow vehicle and
> toad and dramatically cut down on sway. I pulled a 20' box trailer loaded to capacity (or beyond) 60-70K miles. Passing a semi (or getting passed)
> was usually a bit twitchy until I got the load leveler hitch.
>
> 2- Manually tapped his trailer brake. On every trailer brake controller I've ever has a manual brake switch that, when pushed, will turn on the
> electric trailer brakes on the toad. In my experience, easing on the brakes on a swaying trailer will cause it to straighten out. I've never been in
> a situation where my toad was swaying that much but that would have been the first thing I'd have done. That said, a lot of times, the brake
> controller is mounted where a driver would have to have 4' long arms and an extra elbow to reach it...especially while in panic situation.
>
> 3- Slow the hell down! Even the semi driver knew the guy was in trouble. He is way over on the shoulder trying to get out of this idiot's way.
> --
> Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
>
> Had 5 over the years. Still have the first a 76 that will be rebodied into an art deco car hauler.
>
> http://www.bdub.net/pinkerton/
>
> '03 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
>
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