Watch that wind!

[Yellowreef]

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwOqA...e_gdata_player

[Skip426]

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.

[TXiceman]

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

[Stumblefoot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman I wounder why the people were all following so close ...no reason to.

They had to get that great shot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman Looks like the folks doing the towing were total morons.

As well as the folks following too close.

[Midniteoyl]

They weren't following that close, as proved in the end...

[LadyFitz...]

They weren't going all that fast either. I suspect a wind gust was the problem.

[Mekanic]

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..

[Midniteoyl]

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...

[Ray,IN]

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.

[Skip426]

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 !

[Wayne M]

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.

[77 Spartan]

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!

[Wayne M]

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.

[TXiceman]

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