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09-15-2011, 10:36 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 228
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Watch that wind!
Don't know if this video has been posted before but it is certainly a good reminder of things that can go bad while towing a trailer:
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09-16-2011, 12:07 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,500
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Classic case of the tail wagging the dog.
I've got a 1 ton ! I can tow anything !
It would be very interesting to know the weights involved and why, no sway bars visible in the shot of the hitch.
Trailer appears to be a triple axle park model, and looks like it's 2 1/2 times the length of the truck pulling it, about 50 feet long. I think I hear 45 mentioned in the audio, can't make out if they are refereing to vehicle speed, length or wind speed.
Glad I wasn't coming down the road towards that mess.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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09-16-2011, 08:14 AM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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Does not appear to have any weight distribution or sway control system. Also, I wounder why the people were all following so close ...no reason to. Looks like the folks doing the towing were total morons.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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09-16-2011, 08:56 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 154
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TXiceman
I wounder why the people were all following so close ...no reason to.
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They had to get that great shot!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TXiceman
Looks like the folks doing the towing were total morons.
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As well as the folks following too close.
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09-16-2011, 09:03 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Vintage RV Owners Club Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,951
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They weren't following that close, as proved in the end...
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09-16-2011, 02:22 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 1,833
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They weren't going all that fast either. I suspect a wind gust was the problem.
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09-16-2011, 04:28 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Kitts Hill, OH
Posts: 2,252
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I am not 100% sure that weight dist hitch or a sway control bar would have made that much of a difference in that paticular situation..
__________________
(RVM#26) THE U-RV 94 F-700/24 foot U-haul box home built RV
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09-16-2011, 07:52 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Vintage RV Owners Club Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,951
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Sure looked like a gust.. If you look as it goes over, the dirt and dust is moving pretty darn quick.. They were cresting a hill too...
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09-18-2011, 06:33 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,982
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The dually driver had warnings prior to the micro-burst (high velocity, isolated, short burst of wind that arises suddenly) of wind that overturned the trailer. It is visible in the video and the film-maker was commenting about the trailer swaying in the wind. This is a clear instance of wind force acting against a low weight to surface area, aka RV's or unloaded semi-trailers. I would judge traffic speed at about 35-40 MPH, so speed was not a factor. Since there are is no anti-sway hitch, I assume the trailer was being delivered, as hot-shotters do not use them.
We were in a very similar situation some years ago in IA. I was following a MH towing a Jeep, who was following a semi when short gusts of wind began buffeting everyone. All of a sudden the Jeep was pushed on the outside of the white line at the side of the interstate, the MH swayed severely, as did my 5er. We slowed down even more and crawled into DesMoines. When we stopped at a truck stop to assess any damage, the MH and towed were fine-no damage. I discovered the wind had blown one window out of our 5er. My damage was a pair of shorts.
What I found amazing was -the ball-hitch remained attached.
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2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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09-20-2011, 12:30 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,500
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RayIn, I'll have another look but I think only the chains are attached, and the truck rear tires are off the ground. Got to put my laptop away and look at on the DW's HD monitor. Eyesight ain't what it used to be .
Pause at 1:46>1:52 for a good look !
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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09-20-2011, 08:12 AM
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#11
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RV Mutant #14
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 17,217
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A terrible situation to be sure.
Many "followers" do not understand that the are breaking the resistance (draft) behind the trailer. It then starts to sway even more violently. When I was towing a 15 ft TT laboratory I would have to slow down to stop the sway, and force the person behind me to pass. It was heck coming from CA to TX on I-10, especially in NM. Winds were pretty strong. The load levelers and anti-sway bar helps a lot. Consider then a trailer does not have the load levelers or anti-sway system, loosing "draft" exacerbates any wind coming at the trailer.
Happy trails.
__________________
Wayne MSGT USMC (Ret) & Earlene (CinCHouse) RVM14 (ARS: KE5QG)
Lexi - Goldendoodle
2015 Winnebago Tour 42QD - 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve
It is what it is, and then it is what you make of it.
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09-20-2011, 08:56 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 46
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That is one lucky Family and what a scare that must have been.
We just purchased a 1977 Spartan 34' Travel Trailer, my wife and myself are new to RVing AND will be purchasing sway bars before our first trip.....after seeing that video
Can anyone recommend a name brand and or give some feedback from personal use?
Thanks so much!
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09-20-2011, 03:02 PM
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#13
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RV Mutant #14
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 17,217
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Load Levelers and anti-sway bar. Two different items and two items I highly recommend.
I'm out of touch as to what brands are out there now. Any good Trailer/Hitch place should be able to advise you.
__________________
Wayne MSGT USMC (Ret) & Earlene (CinCHouse) RVM14 (ARS: KE5QG)
Lexi - Goldendoodle
2015 Winnebago Tour 42QD - 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve
It is what it is, and then it is what you make of it.
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09-20-2011, 07:03 PM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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For your Spartan, I'd consider the Reese Dual Cam HP Straightline hitch. Weight distributing and sway control both. It is a well proven design and reasonably priced. There are higher priced hitches like the Hensley Arrow that work great as well.
Not many dealers will take the time to properly install a Dual Cam, so read the instructions and install it yourself. It is not hard, just takes some time.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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