destroyed 5er and truck in AZ storm

[231jasonS]

Last wed night on I-40 at exit 283, east bound we were on a family vacation. We were on our third travel day starting from SF bay area. We had passed through many thunder storms in AZ. We were about to the end of our 400 mile day when up ahead just outside of Holbrook AZ I saw a very strong wind coming across the interstate in front of me.



I have seen some 50-60 MPH gust's in the past and knew this was much more. But I could see the storm was clearing up about 3/4 mile ahead. I started to pull to the shoulder to wait out these wind gusts. then the wind lightened up and the down poor of rain stopped blowing sideways. I decided to slow down and push through it. I slowed to about 40 mph and felt the wind pushing the trailer a little bit.



I had (past tense) a 32' 5th 2005 wildcat and it has pulled very straight and never posed any problems under windy conditions. Any way about 10 seconds later the gust of all gusts blew the trailer around to my passenger side, then it started to hydroplane. Next thing I know the truck was sideways going into the center divide. Well the whole truck and trailer rolled one complete revolution and landed back on the wheels. Destroying the truck and the trailer.



Both my 2yr old and 5yr old were in full car seats and came through with out a scratch (thank god every day). My wife and I had some minor bumps and scrapes but were pretty dam good considering. My 12 yr old lab was thrown from the back of the truck and ended up with a minor scratch on her snout.



Now the fun begins..... fight fight with the insurance companies, tow company (who stole from my pile of trash that used to be my property) and thank the gutless SOB AZ patrol man who ticketed me the next day when I went back to the crash sight to look for my wife's wedding ring in the mud.

 

[MMeier]

Damn dude, that really sucks! Seen many a bad storm along I-40 , I travel it a good amount between Kingman and OKC. Good to hear there were no real serious injuries. Yoy guys getting home O. K. ? WTH did the cop give you a ticket for ??!!

 

[231jasonS]

Well since you asked... ... Driving in the median. I stopped in the median with the tow company clean up crew to look for my wife's ring and after about 30 min's of searching they were done with the clean up and said If i wanted to go to the locked yard to recover any personal property i had to go with them. So I made a U-turn and drove across the lanes to the exit and here comes this *$#@%^& AZ DPS officer. After I explained the circumstances he walked back to his car and started writting me a ticket. I could not belive it. This is after I told him I too am an officer in CA.

I asked him if he had a heart to which he replied "Dont cry to me, you should know better"... ... I lost it and went off on him for a good 10 minutes. Used every word I know. I wanted to lay him out right there on the spot. I was driving the only car I could rent in Holbrook AZ a U-Haul.

He is the reason why people hate cops..... actually I cant even call him a cop he's more like AAA with a gun. That kind of heartless inmature use of "officer discression" is why cops get a bad name.

Yea we made it home, put the wife and 2yr old on a plane and the dog and my 5yr old rode back in the U-Haul with me.

 

[BDeMartile]

Well at least you all got out safely and hey a--holes come in all shapes sizes and levels of authority. Good luck with the insurance companies.

 

[Hercules130]

Sorry for your loss there, but i can't believe it is not illegal to tow a fifth wheel without a dually.

 

[AMink]

The whole situation sucks. I'd definately fight the ticket, though. You might have to go back, but chances are this dipsh. . won't show up in court anyway. Keep us up to date on how the insurance company handles it. It sounds like you used due diligence and just got whacked by a big gust. Good luck!

 

[Bob Wagner]

sorry for you loss . I am happy to hear that everyone survived. keep your head up

 

[Bertram65]

Sorry for your loss there, but i can't believe it is not illegal to tow a fifth wheel without a dually.

What do you base that statement on? Have you ever towed a 5th wheel?

 

[RustyJC]

I wondered how long it would take for this :-{} to start.



I'm sorry for your misfortune but glad everyone made it out OK. I hope your insurance takes care of everything promptly and with a minimum of hassle.



Rusty

 

[litespeed]

Jason,



Damn... ..... You guys are really lucky!! :--) Glad you could walk away from that !!



And to have to deal with an @ss pole officer too. Unbelievable!! :-{}



I would certainly be fighting that one.



Best of luck!



Glad everyones OK.

 

[EricBu12]

Hercules,



A dually would have rolled in a gust like that. .



A big rig would have rolled... seen it happen! the wind or the water alone would not have been bad...



Jason, I know you could not have forseen it (the strength of the wind) but I think you should have stopped for lunch and waited. or gone like 20 mph. Heavy rain is bad enough but add a high wind or gusts, and there is trouble... . the fact you hydroplaned from wind and water was a bad combination... Your 32 and my 36' are big sails in the wind and speed hurts the wind situation. I drive truck for a living hauling doubles and tripples and know what can happen... Many a times I would get to below 30 to get past a spot or just pull off to wait it out... A 30 minute stop when you are not in a hurry is better than destroying everything. Hope you have 20/20 vision on the next rig.



Eric



Glad you are all OK! bet the dog went for a wild ride!... .

 

[Big MAK]

Sorry for your loss there, but i can't believe it is not illegal to tow a fifth wheel without a dually.

If the wind hits you strong enough to take you over it doesn't matter how many wheels are down. Four wheels off the ground are just as effective as six. lol.



Jason;



Maybe have your commanding officer call his. What a total moronic worthless excuse of a cop.



Really tough to swallow but everything that matters is ok!

 

[msperos]

A dually is nice but it does not make you immune from good old mother nature. I was pulling my toy hauler across Kansas on 70 last summer and hit a super cell that flipped a big rig in front of me. At that point I pulled into a construction staging yard and waited it out.





Glad to here every one was ok.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

The DPS officers along I-40 in AZ are completely amazing. Earlier this year, two guys I work with were killed in a car accident just to the west of Two Guns. Truck veared off the highway and rolled about 200 yards. About a week after the accident one of the families when to see the crash site. While there, a DPS officer pulled over and asked what they were doing. After he received their story, he wrote them a ticket for littering(because of the mess from the crash) and tampering with evidence(for picking up some of their sons belongings). Can you believe these a-holes?



Like 231jasonS said, it's reasons like this cops get shot.

 

[Alphacowboy]

glad to see your alright! to bad about all that happened though.



ya know it was going to get asked... . but let us know what the buy back on that bad boy is from the insurance co, inquiring minds are wondering! :-laf

 

[DIESELMAN]

Glad to hear you are ok! Wow, I worry about that even with my dually, it makes no difference when the wind can put your trailer beside you though.



As for the DPS cop, post his name, he's probably a well known JA. I will withhold my antiprofiling comments about citing everyone you can that is the reverse of typical profiling to pad the statistics of those being stopped and cited because that is a hot topic so I won't say anything, there.



My recommendation, if you won't be around to appear, pay the ticket with a money order, a photo from the scene, without traffic, and your explanation, including the snart ***** comments by the cop. Tickets there are handled by the JP and would likely be dismissed. Bubba will show up because he lives right here and this is a day off, but then you know that.



DM in Flagstaff - on the Highway 89 Speed Trap... ..... Where you don't dare speed on the last week of the month!

 

[231jasonS]

Im allready planning to buy it back just to get my Turbo (one month old), tranns, AFE, adjustable shocks, Air bags and compresser... ... not to mention the leather seats. Ive got a buddy who wants the motor for his high HP 01. 5 so he can build it stout.



Im sooooooo tempted to drive down for the court apperance just for another chance to tell that rookie POS excuse for an officer what i think of him. JA would not know what to do with a real criminal.



I have a ton of respect for the CHP officers around here. They are still pretty good about being fair, but that sorry arse coward has got some bad carma coming his way.



Any way where can i get the best deal on a Mega cab 2500 auto?????

 

[klenger]

Any way where can i get the best deal on a Mega cab 2500 auto?????

Now the truth comes out. You went looking for a storm so you could risk your family's life and roll the truck and 5er just so you could get a new MC. Pretty shrewd. Glad you're OK, really.

 

[MMeier]

Any way where can i get the best deal on a Mega cab 2500 auto?????

Check with member Tomeygun, he's back east but seems capable of working some pretty good deals worth the trip, also, Dave smith Motors up in Idaho is supposed to be good also1 Lil' off topic, but based on your user name, you must own a hopped up Buick of some sort?!

 

[AMink]

Any way where can i get the best deal on a Mega cab 2500 auto?????

Try Carson Dodge. Ask for Chuck Gilleys. He's a straight shooter and Carson has good deals. 775-883-2020, I think, or www.carsondodge.com

That's pathetic! I know the number of my dealer and my vet, but can't remember the kids' doctor's name! Tell him Andy Mink suggested him. Thanks



Plus, it's only about 4-5 hours from the Bay Area and you can go home past Lake Tahoe!



Edit--there's a toll free number on their website. Also, if you're going big trailer again, maybe a 3500? Only difference is the overloads. It rides like a 2500 until you weigh it down.



I have no stake in suggesting Chuck, just 3 good experiences with him since 1994.