Fifth Wheel misshap

[DValentine]

It was hardly recognizable inside. There was very little left on the walls. I agree that a dual wheel truck would be better. Simple physics prevail.

 

[DValentine]

Here are some more.

 

[Grizzly]

Can you name any other fifth wheel that will stay together better in a 65mph rollover?



I look at it this way. It rolled,was put back on its wheels and looks that good. Thats actually fairly impressive IMO.

Yes, I can name several, but I won't here. There are some well built 5er's and TT out there. They may cost more, but in the long run, may be worth it. As the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for".

 

[PToombs]

Dave, a little duct tape and some Liquid Nails and she'll be good as new! :-laf

Still glad you're ok.

 

[cojhl2]

I could be wrong, but on a slick road I would never attempt to apply trailer brakes with the controller.



If she's sliding anyway how can stopping the wheels help. (Most brake controllers are about as precise as a log chain)



With big trucks we just keep the brakes adjusted correctly and try to keep the tractor under the trailer.



edit: Could be a different story on dry pavement but then it probley would not have been an issue anyway.

 

[RPelletier]

Yes, I can name several, but I won't here. There are some well built 5er's and TT out there. They may cost more, but in the long run, may be worth it. As the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for".

Why not name them? When someone says they know something,but then refuse to give an answer,they tend to lose credibility IMO.



How do you know they can take the same 65mph rollover and look any better?



Have you had some Secret Squirrel 5th wheel roll over training?:-laf

 

[Grizzly]

I could be wrong, but on a slick road I would never attempt to apply trailer brakes with the controller.

If she's sliding anyway how can stopping the wheels help. (Most brake controllers are about as precise as a log chain)

With big trucks we just keep the brakes adjusted correctly and try to keep the tractor under the trailer.

edit: Could be a different story on dry pavement but then it probley would not have been an issue anyway.

Sounds good in theory, but in a panic situation, no telling what any of us would have done.

 

[RideSlow2004]

Sounds good in theory, but in a panic situation, no telling what any of us would have done.

I take my TT up to the ski area, and stay in it. Have pulled on ice and compacted snow. When I think it is getting ugly, I slow down, way down. Each of you that has posted up your experiences, thank you



Great reminder in case I actually thot it was my driving skill that was keeping me out of trouble, really is just dumb luck.



However, dragging the trailer brake has helped, on occasion.

 

[HBarlow]

These crash stories and photographs are certainly not the result of objective, scientific testing and don't amount to proof or "evidence" but I don't see how anyone could ignore the suggestion that each of the crashes involved single rear wheel trucks. I know, my comment will enrage some. You are entitled to your vehicle choice and I to mine. I do think it is noteworthy, as another member suggested.

I've pulled trailers on snow and ice lots of miles and, although I had a few moments that scared me, I got away with it. I don't claim superior skill. I think the DRW trucks I pulled with made the difference. Increased tread contact with the pavement means greater traction and better control.

I also wonder about the quality of that Forest River fifth wheel. The photos show it simply came apart where the sidewalls attach to the end caps. BHuebner's trailer in another reported fifth wheel roll-over accident here in the TDR threads did not. His remained intact in a similar accident. To me, that is a factor to be considered. I don't mean to anger anyone but when you compare photos of two accidents and one trailer shows it cleanly separated at the end wall joints and the other remained attached I consider that a "clue. "

Anyone can get complacent or surprised and lose control on an icy windswept highway. I consider myself lucky it didn't happen to me. I hope everyone who has generously reported and provided photos of their mishap was treated well by their insurance companies and is fully recovered from their loss.

 

[HBarlow]

RE trailer construction and framing methods:

NuWa, maker of HitchHiker brand trailers, manufactures fifth wheel trailers only and is considered the first or one of a couple of the first manufacturers to build them. They've been building them for more than 30 years.

NuWa builds both wood framed and aluminum framed trailers and I've had the opportunity to discuss the merits of both with one of their regional sales reps who has been with the company a long time.

Interesting to me was the fact tha the top of the line model, by far the most expensive and highest quality HitchHiker, the Champagne, is built with wood framing. The intermediate quality and price point model, the Discover America (that I own) and the entry level model, the HitchHiker II now HitchHiker LS model use aluminum framing.

NuWa considers wood framing the superior method and uses it in their best product. The man I spoke with explained, with some personal emotion about the subject, that a few years ago NuWa felt pressured to use aluminum framing on their less expensive models because the Elkhart trailer manufacturers convinced the buying public that aluminum was better. He strongly disagreed with that argument and NuWa's decision.

The NuWa spokesman felt very strongly that the wood framed trailers were better insulated, stonger, and only a very few pounds heavier than a trailer built with all aluminum framing.

NuWa builds their DAs and HHIIs with aluminum framing but the aluminum framing members have hardwood inside the aluminum frames where attachment to other framing members is required. They consider fasteners attached to aluminum framing too easily pulled out under stress.

 

[CDonaldson]

WOW is all I cans say, I am sure glad you were not hurt, and also that no other vehicle was involved. High winds can be a killer, especially when the vary at every turn or curve in the road. I usually slow down by at least 10mph, and IF the wind situation has too much fluxtuation, I park and sit it out, trying to ride it out is just too risky, and can become life threatening.





I have pulled trailers with SRW and DRW trucks, YES the DRW does FEEL more stable, but when it comes to ice and high wind BOTH can have the same outcome, number of tires on the ground makes no difference in ice, and if the wind gets a little lift on the trailer, well, just call it a flying barn.



Traveling the highways for over 40 years, I have also seen my share of 5th wheels, campers, TT's and Motorhomes on their sides and roofs alongside the road, and I can go further in saying that it probably was right about 50/50 SRW's and DRW's. When TT's came out many moons ago and people were driving CARS pulling them, tons of mishaps, not only ice and wind, but tire blowouts contributed greatly then.



I would never allow passengers in something I was towing, just never. As a kid, I rode in the back of my parents truck camper. NO communications between the two. At some point my Dad did install a 'boot' between the truck and camper, it did make for better communications. There have been MANY deaths over the years, even in truck campers due to monoxide. My Dad was adament that roof vents were cranked open a little. He also extended the tailpipe past the fender some, called it 'pre-vention'. I guess he must have known about the deaths and never said anything or had concerns.



CD