Overloaded, too much speed or just bad luck

[KrankyKoot]

I'm sure there are many similar instances but this one made me think. Fortunately no real serious injuries (except maybe to the bank account). The guy was towing in the outside lane on I95 in north east FL where speed is normally around 80 (limit 70) and lost a wheel on van. Towing with a Ford E350 van that sounds like it might have been a bit over matched.



https://flaglerlive.com/132520/van-t...flips-on-i-95/

[Rhagfo]

Saw this in another forum. Lost drivers side rear wheel, looks like loose lugs, I looked at enlarged pictures and didn’t see any wheel remains on axle.
If one looses a wheel at speed 55mph or better all bets are off!
The speed is a question, as it happened in Florida on I95 so could have been 70 mph. The E350 was also 4X4 conversation, but feel that had little to do with the accident. Considering the TV and trailer are still connected says a lot for the chains and hooks!

[Old-Biscuit]

Whether 'overloaded', 'speed' etc -------LOSE tire/wheel from axle on most ANY single wheel vehicle will in all likelihood end up with SAME result

[BSHGTO]

Maybe but it looks like he was doing just fine till the wheel came off. Not sure how this happens with no prior indication something was up with the van at speed. I`ve had a couple of " What was that? " moments but always stopped immediately to investigate. Personally I never drive near another person towing anything, just have seen to many Cowboy`s with tow haulers trying to match the fast lane speed and people towing to heavy for truck.

[marjoa]

Interesting read and stats. Excerpts from and article
by Michael John Tario
Posted on August 22, 2016 in Automobile Accidents Personal Injury

Recreational vehicles (RV) of all kinds including camper vans, fifth wheels, motor homes and toy haulers are a very popular way to travel and vacation all across North America. RV accidents are a real risk, however, as they are prone to problems such as blind spots, extended braking distance and lack of maneuverability.

There are many common causes of RV accidents
One of the biggest problems is the fact that States do not require that drivers receive special training or permits to drive an RV, although drivers must be 21 years old. Also, 10 percent of RV drivers are senior citizens over the age of 55. This age cohort has increased impediments to driving such as weakening vision and delayed response to driving conditions.

Most common causes of RV accidents
Although some of these common causes of RV accidents overlap with causes of car accidents, they are exacerbated in an RV where sheer size, plus reduced visibility and maneuverability, increase the risk factors for a crash.
• Overloading the RV with too much weight
• Poorly balanced loads
• Speeding
• Inexperienced drivers
• Senior drivers
• High winds
• Overtired drivers
• Runaway trailers
• Rollover caused by higher center of gravity
• Poorly calculated turns
• Miscalculated stopping distances (heavy vehicles require longer stopping distances)
• Failing to see another vehicle in the lane beside the RV due to a blind spot

RV accidents facts and statistics
In 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety administration’s reported 75,000 injuries due to RV accidents.

[Wrktfsh]

If the lug nuts loosen enough to break/ loose an entire wheel Assy it’s pretty certain the driver had a period of severe vibration that should have warned him. Axle broke maybe

[Old-Biscuit]

Look closely.........
Trailer is STILL upright


Missed that at first.
So HOW is it still connected to VAN????

[Woo10-210]

Looks like it has old school aftermarket aluminum wheels. I had a similar problem on an '88 F250HD with aftermarket wheels. The lugs have shoulders and, if they're a bit long, they'll bottom out on the brake drum. The lugs were torqued properly but the wheel isn't actually tight. I was carrying an 11' camper and felt a vibration. Pulled over and inspected the wheels and found the right rear had 4 of 8 studs broken off. After the repair I added additional washers to all of the wheels. All of the newer wheels use tapered lugs.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Look closely.........
Trailer is STILL upright


Missed that at first.
So HOW is it still connected to VAN????

Good safety chains, and by the looks of it, I would say the trailer has been on it's roof. Just happened to end up on it's wheels.

[scrapperjohn]

Hard to tell, but I don't see a WD hitch. That & speed would overload tires & cause blowout...
Maybe I'm wrong..

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by scrapperjohn

Hard to tell, but I don't see a WD hitch. That & speed would overload tires & cause blowout...
Maybe I'm wrong..

On a single wheel 1 ton you dont really need a wd hitch. They lost a wheel, there is no hitch, tires, anything, that could have changed this outcome other than luck.

[redhooker]

No idea if it happened here, but have seen aluminum wheel fail catastrophically cracked completely through following the lug holes just like perforated paper. Not much warning like that sometimes people screw up and sometimes your number is up.

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by scrapperjohn

Hard to tell, but I don't see a WD hitch. That & speed would overload tires & cause blowout...
Maybe I'm wrong..

Here is the local news story, TV and RV both rolled. As I stated before AWESOME safety chains!


https://flaglerlive.com/132520/van-t...flips-on-i-95/

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Look closely.........
Trailer is STILL upright


Missed that at first.
So HOW is it still connected to VAN????

NOT STILL, it ended up on its wheels both TV and Trailer rolled.