Fifth Wheel misshap

[Jumbo Jet]

Quote from Jumbo Jet " Should have had some dual wheels on that 5'vr and maybe it would not have rolled!!""

Are you a jerk or just trying to be funny? If you are trying to be funny, you're not.

You would have to read some other threads where certain "grizzled" members think that only DRW's should be allowed to carry loads or tow 5th wheel trailers. They seem to think that the SRW of any flavor is only good for grocery getting or a tent popup. To them the SRW is prone to roll over at any moment and cause death, destruction, mayhem, etc.

Some people have a million miles hauling and towing with SRWs all across the country in all weather and road conditions - on, and off pavement - with no adverse effects.

Question: if you are saying I am not funny, you must be calling me a jerk. Why are you resorting to name calling and making things personal?

Anyhow, the pictures were enlightening. I have seen several RV accidents, and the RV always comes out a mess. The only RV I have ever seen hold together in a rollover was a slide-in truck camper, which was just amazing.

 

[WyoJim]

You would have to read some other threads where certain "grizzled" members think that only DRW's should be allowed to carry loads or tow 5th wheel trailers. They seem to think that the SRW of any flavor is only good for grocery getting or a tent popup. To them the SRW is prone to roll over at any moment and cause death, destruction, mayhem, etc.



Some people have a million miles hauling and towing with SRWs all across the country in all weather and road conditions - on, and off pavement - with no adverse effects.



Question: if you are saying I am not funny, you must be calling me a jerk. Why are you resorting to name calling and making things personal?



Anyhow, the pictures were enlightening. I have seen several RV accidents, and the RV always comes out a mess. The only RV I have ever seen hold together in a rollover was a slide-in truck camper, which was just amazing.

Well said Jumbo Jet!!

 

[CSkal]

Not trying to start anything, but I was under the impression (maybe mistakenly) that it was illegal to have passengers in the trailer while the truck/trailer combo is moving? Yeah I know "illegal" doesn't amount to a hill of beans unless you get caught, but this thread illustrates the reasons why such a law does (could) exist.

 

[Spooled-up]

I don't know which states, but I heard it is legal in a few states to have passengers in the back of a 5th wheel trailer.

 

[Grizzly]

I don't know which states, but I heard it is legal in a few states to have passengers in the back of a 5th wheel trailer.

I've heard the same. New Mexico is not one of them.

 

[BrianJ]

It is legal in Colorado in a 5th wheel or slide in camper. You do need to have radio communication between the passengers in the trailer and tow vehicle. That being said I will never allow anyone to ride in my 5er while driving.



I pull a few times a year through Wyoming and it can be a "white-knuckleing" experience for sure. Glad to hear everyone is ok, it definately could have been much worse.

 

[Jefff929]

Not trying to start anything, but I was under the impression (maybe mistakenly) that it was illegal to have passengers in the trailer while the truck/trailer combo is moving? Yeah I know "illegal" doesn't amount to a hill of beans unless you get caught, but this thread illustrates the reasons why such a law does (could) exist.

IMO there are to many situations where folks say there ought to be a law and there is, but if folks put any forethought into it the law isn't needed.



A helpful link that has been posted many times http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

 

[THoltz]

You would have to read some other threads where certain "grizzled" members think that only DRW's should be allowed to carry loads or tow 5th wheel trailers. They seem to think that the SRW of any flavor is only good for grocery getting or a tent popup. To them the SRW is prone to roll over at any moment and cause death, destruction, mayhem, etc.



Some people have a million miles hauling and towing with SRWs all across the country in all weather and road conditions - on, and off pavement - with no adverse effects.



Question: if you are saying I am not funny, you must be calling me a jerk. Why are you resorting to name calling and making things personal?



Anyhow, the pictures were enlightening. I have seen several RV accidents, and the RV always comes out a mess. The only RV I have ever seen hold together in a rollover was a slide-in truck camper, which was just amazing.

Nothing personal. I thought your joke was highly inappropriate being that a devastating accident was the butt of your joke.

 

[MZahn]

Dangers also include carbon monoxide fumes. A friend of a friend lost 2 boys that were in the trailer on a 2 hour trip.

 

[DValentine]

MZahn, another good point. What a horrible way to learn a lesson.

 

[DValentine]

Here are the pictures.

 

[Grizzly]

You were very lucky to walk away from that. Doesn't speak highly for Wildcat. I hope other Forest River 5er are put together better than that.

 

[DValentine]

It did roll 3/4 of a revolution.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Seems to me like aluminum would do better but I don't have first hand knowledge. I know my trailer (crossroads) is not welded for the very reason stated about the metal being brital next to the welds. Crossroads uses "L" brackets that are screwed and glued in place on every joint. I think this design would stand up quite well depending on the type of crash.

I transported RVs for 2. 5 years and I saw my share of wind and its amazing how fast it can hit you. I never got blown away but had my hands full MANY a day and shut down for the day a few times.

I also did the fish tail number one night in WI with a really small TT in tow. I thought I was a goner and I agree it happens so fast and you are so busy with the wheel you don't have time to even think about grabbing the trailer brakes but wished I had tried it after it was over.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Dv dv dv

Sorry about your accident and that thank GOD you are OK.



Being on the serious side. RV accidents are probably more common that we hear. Near misses are probably occur more. I will say this about SRW trucks. I have owned several and towed heavy with one . I have owned two DRW trucks. In your case having a dually would probably not have helped with the skid. But I will say this for all the millions of miles driven towing heavy with a SRW (they are lucky). No matter what brand SRW if they allow a set of RV tires or the rear tire of the truck to creep off the road... The RV WILL wag your tail. With a dually you have a 300% better chance to survive.

 

[231jasonS]

Those are pretty bad, mine was a wildcat as well. But mine was just pile of ruble. At least you have some sort of a shell left. I had not one wall standing.

 

[Grizzly]

Sorry about your accident and that thank GOD you are OK.



Being on the serious side. RV accidents are probably more common that we hear. Near misses are probably occur more. I will say this about SRW trucks. I have owned several and towed heavy with one . I have owned two DRW trucks. In your case having a dually would probably not have helped with the skid. But I will say this for all the millions of miles driven towing heavy with a SRW (they are lucky). No matter what brand SRW if they allow a set of RV tires or the rear tire of the truck to creep off the road... The RV WILL wag your tail. With a dually you have a 300% better chance to survive.

Jumbo Jet are you reading this?



Mr. Jet likes to argue with me that SRW trucks are better in everyway than DRW.

 

[DonTX]

You know it IS noteworthy that all of these mishaps happened to SRW trucks, even though a majority of rigs are DRW. Not to imply that on ice a dually does anything much differently than a SRW.

Jumbo Jet are you reading this?



Mr. Jet likes to argue with me that SRW trucks are better in everyway than DRW.

 

[RPelletier]

Doesn't speak highly for Wildcat. I hope other Forest River 5er are put together better than that.

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.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Having towed 5'vers with both single and duals for many thousands of miles I have to say the drw setups were more stable. Much less "tail wag".