Be careful towing this season!

[goducks]

Originally Posted by SOMBATFAMILY

I seen somewhere that wind blew a tractor trailer over Chesapeake Bay bridge. If wind can blow a trailer being pull behind a 26,000lbs semi then 1 ton truck doesn't stand a chance against the wind.

The size of the tow vehicle is not really relevant in a blow over. The trailer blows over because they 12+' tall and as wide as a barn. No matter what size truck you have if the trailer gets up on two wheels it's all but over.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by SOMBATFAMILY

I seen somewhere that wind blew a tractor trailer over Chesapeake Bay bridge. If wind can blow a trailer being pull behind a 26,000lbs semi then 1 ton truck doesn't stand a chance against the wind.

Yes, that happened. Wind can be a powerful source. I look at the picture and it's obviously a Super Duty truck. The trailer shouldn't be beyond his means. Picture is a big gap in the mountains. so I put 2 and 2 together and came up with an assumption. But, who knows? Maybe he was texting!

[SOMBATFAMILY]

My money is on swerving to avoid hitting a squirrel or hot coffee fell into his//her lap.

[goducks]

Should've had a Ram.

[bono]

He...? Maybe she...?

[wags999]

While driving from Arizona to Colorado a few weeks back, not towing, I was doing the speed limit and could not believe all the TT and 5ers doing well over 85 mph . Waggin back and forth and no regard for themselves or anyone else on the road. Guess the old saying Stupid people do stupid things sure applies to many towing.

[NVGun40]

Thanks for the pictures and the reminder. Of course many of us are familiar with the 1/2 ton and other smaller tow vehicle bashing (probably because more people tend to push the limits on those in the first place and try to convince themselves and everyone else that their 1/2 ton is as good as a 3/4 ton).
Though, according to the pictures the natural assumption is that this truck and trailer combination were within towing and cargo specs, wind force or other unknown forces were at play to cause this accident.
The reminder is that this can happen to anyone, and just like there are people who tend to over load their half tons and try to convince of their vehicles higher capabilities. There are many people out there who do the same thing with their 3/4 tons, and 1 tons and 1 1/4 tons. There are also people who think they are more skilled than they are, just as there are people who are completely unaware they are underskilled in towing. Just because one has always done something a certain way for years without a problem doesn't mean it's right or safe. The physics of actual size, surface area, sheer force, and fulcrum force, wheel bases, hitch to trailer axles distances, are things which need to be factored in when towing.

Thank you for the reminder about being safe out there.

[Bassdogs]

Good intent but bad example. Good reminder to tow safely and that means a lot of things, weights, speed, road conditions, tires, etc. If this was high winds then the only thing that could have been done other than pull into a rest area and wait is to slow down. High winds can destabilize a trailer and cause the tow vehicle to loose control. Keep in mind we are towing at speeds of 60 - 65 mph so its side winds or gust that are a potential problem.

[Bookemdanno]

Maybe this TV would have helped? Anyone interested in upgrading your TV?
New 2017 Ram 5500 Chassis For Sale | Sanford FL

[Big1]

Wow, that is a monster, I didn't think that Dodge made anything like that now that would be the truck to have, in towing or hauling.

And yes no matter what setup you have we all should be aware of ours limitation.

[Woodworker]

Doesn't matter what kind of truck it is. The end result is all that counts. You can lose a TT with a dually just as easily as with a 1/2 ton if your not careful

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[bankr63]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

Maybe this TV would have helped? Anyone interested in upgrading your TV?
New 2017 Ram 5500 Chassis For Sale | Sanford FL

Jeeze, the options price on that alone ($21725) would buy another basic RAM 1500.

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by Woodworker

Doesn't matter what kind of truck it is. The end result is all that counts. You can lose a TT with a dually just as easily as with a 1/2 ton if your not careful

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I know...I just thought it was cool.

[Magnolia Tom]

Dan
I'm surprised you didn't get it! It has over 10k pound cargo capacity!!! And it's nice...not a stripped down work truck


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[FeatherFam]

Speed, distracted/inattentive, road conditions, weather

[Dropnaduece]

Here is the news story. After reading all the comments it's funny how we try to figure out what happened based on a few photos. All good answers tho I travel with my trailer through this stretch of highway and I can tell you it gets real windy but the hills are steep and I know people go way to fast down them all the time. This was just a person pushing the limits when it comes to speed and towing a huge trailer

Truck hauling large travel trailer blocking parts of eastbound Interstate 90 near Ellensburg | The Spokesman-Review

[Tommyo]

That's why I chose a used F-150 XL.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Dropnaduece

Here is the news story. After reading all the comments it's funny how we try to figure out what happened based on a few photos. All good answers tho I travel with my trailer through this stretch of highway and I can tell you it gets real windy but the hills are steep and I know people go way to fast down them all the time. This was just a person pushing the limits when it comes to speed and towing a huge trailer

Truck hauling large travel trailer blocking parts of eastbound Interstate 90 near Ellensburg | The Spokesman-Review

We travel this stretch at least a couple of times a season as well as Deadmans Pass on I-84 in Oregon. I have yet to make a trip through these areas where I am not passed like I'm standing still. Last April we got stuck at a complete standstill for over an hour headed down the eastern slope of Deadmans Pass. We assumed a wreck and sure enough as things started moving we passed a small R-Pod being towed by some sort of small SUV. Both the SUV and the R-Pod were flipped over on their tops and facing the opposite direction, still connected. The R-Prod was literally in thousands of pieces. Best we could tell there were no injuries which was pretty amazing given what we saw. Weather was good and very little to no wind so my guess would be speed related.

[Dropnaduece]

Another trailer accident in WA state. This one is a failure to understand towing weights. You cannot put a 4 wheeler in the bed of Toyota Tundra and pull a trailer while still being within the vehicles towing limits. We have some long stretches of hywy on I-90 that people just go way to fast and the cross winds can be ferocious.

Anywho just another reminder to be safe and sane. Taking your time to get to your destination is worth the risk of accident.

Summer is almost here!!!

[Murff]

I agree we need to be safe, DnaD. The photo looks like I-82 or I-84, but both do have cross winds like I-90.

Murff