Best RAM crash pics

[QRTRHRS]

Nathan,



Thanks for the explanation. I will tell you about an experiance I had with a fifth wheel once. I had two big coils on a flat. I was on the reciever's lot, getting into position to unload. It was tight and I had the trailer jacked 90 degrees to the tractor when the trailer rolled hard to one side due to the weight of that coil. Nothing happened, I eased out of that position and the trailer leveled out. Scared the daylights out of me for a few minutes though.



DarrellB,



Are you talking about the nylon ratchet straps? I like the ones with a flat steel "J" bar on the ends rather than a hook. On my flatbed, I drop the "J" down through the stake pocket, bring it back up on the outside and hang it on the stake pocket. That way, even if the strap becomes slack, the hook won't be free.

 

[Snow man]

Nathan,that car hauler rolled for one reason. I t was improperly loaded,all the weight was hovering over the goosneck ball,not enough on the rear of trailer where the stable wide wheels were,once in the turn,the weight on top of the trailer wanted to go straight,and pulled the goosneck trailer with it. If one of those cars were over the rear wheels,it never would have happened. I know a 5W would have not rolled because it would have been able to use the truck to keep from going over.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

right on snowman

Yes that is correct. Center of gravity and weight position is very important. Maybe the hauler had tie downs located conveniently there, or perhaps the fellow was going to pick up another car somewhere else and did not want to untie things to scoot them ahead?



Did you also happen to notice that the base of his gooseneck hitch sat about four inches above the bed? Kind of looked like a Firehawk hitch (changeable from gooseneck to fifth), but maybe it was homemade. Add a high ball, plus tall trailer, improper load, and a bad turn, and that added up to a big disaster. Glad he didn't hit a pothole at 55mph or swerve to avoid one, this could have been much worse.



Towing 101: Avoid making mistakes.

Towing 202: Learn from your mistakes and those of others.