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Post by vikx on Jul 21, 2018 19:04:57 GMT -8
Looks like the jeep survived pretty well. Mine is rated at 6200lbs with the V8 and tow package. Of course all those floor logs didn't help anything. If the PO replaced the floor, makes a person wonder if it didn't come apart a little higher up. Lack of knowledge on how a trailer is built, etc...
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jul 24, 2018 12:25:54 GMT -8
Many factors played a roll in this disaster. I'm happy that no one was hurt. But when something like this happens we all need to learn as much as we can about it in order to be as safe as possible when towing.
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Post by bigbill on Jul 25, 2018 18:48:20 GMT -8
IMHO it's less about the tow vehicle and more about questionable modifications, namely adding a lumberyard's worth of pressure treated 2xs. When I go to tow something I generally have a reasonably accurate idea of what it weighs, and I choose the tow vehicle accordingly. This guy may well have done the same, unaware that there was an extra gazillion pounds of lumber along for the ride. Just to play devil's advocate, there's no shortage of examples of towing disasters behind sizeable trucks, either. If the tongue weight is screwy or the driver's an idiot the difference between that Jeep and a 3/4 truck isn't going to save the day. I totally agree if the driver is an idiot they can still get in trouble. BUT a longer wheelbase tow vehicle with greater weight is much more forgiving. The first clue to the above operators trailer knowledge is if they would have looked at the bottom of the trailer before buying it the would have seem the different floor and it's fasteners. It would be interesting to know hitch information, was brakes even hooked up which could have been used to help regain control. There are many stupid things that could have contributed to the accident. I have been towing trailers for more years than most on this board are old, plus I am certified to teach safe driving courses to truck drivers and am personally licensed to drive dbles, triples, and tankers. I have towed with every thing from a 1300 VW bug to Class 8 trucks and I'm convinced that towing with a small, light vehicle is more dangerous than towing with a larger vehicle. I also am a retired police officer and a ASE master tech on heavy duty trucks. I have seem many people killed because they were stupid. |
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