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Post by bigbill on Aug 13, 2015 11:10:23 GMT -8
I and others have bored you for a long time about towing safety. Here is some information you might wish to consider.
"It all comes down to safety. Towing can be dangerous,per the NHTSA . In 2012 nearly 400 people were killed when mobile home, boat, or cargo trailers became unattached or caused other accidents. They went on to say that about 4,500 people died in towing related crashes between 2002 and 2012.
PLEASE read what we say and make certain that your tow vehicle and trailer are properly matched and equipment is in good repair and properly setup. The lives of you and your loved ones depend on it.
Keep this in mind as you select vehicles, hitches, tires, and brakes. One weak link could spell out a short unhappy future.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Aug 13, 2015 15:52:54 GMT -8
Great reminder, Bill. My son and I were amazed at how many trailers we saw overturned on the side of the road in our cross country travels. Most of them were U-haul trailers and I can only imagine that the people towing did not know what they were doing. Besides being setup correctly, your driving plays a big part, too.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 13, 2015 16:00:19 GMT -8
Great reminder, Bill. My son and I were amazed at how many trailers we saw overturned on the side of the road in our cross country travels. Most of them were U-haul trailers and I can only imagine that the people towing did not know what they were doing. Besides being setup correctly, your driving plays a big part, too. Driving plays a large part, but we can't do much about that it is not that people are bad drivers some are just stupid. But we can at least tell people how to have safer equipment to use. |
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Aug 13, 2015 16:44:19 GMT -8
Great reminder, Bill. My son and I were amazed at how many trailers we saw overturned on the side of the road in our cross country travels. Most of them were U-haul trailers and I can only imagine that the people towing did not know what they were doing. Besides being setup correctly, your driving plays a big part, too. Driving plays a large part, but we can't do much about that it is not that people are bad drivers some are just stupid. But we can at least tell people how to have safer equipment to use. Maybe we should pray the stupid ones don't pull trailers. I do think owners of travel trailers should do some research about towing/driving. Speed, wind factor, changing lanes and braking distance should all be factored into the safety issue once we are hitched up correctly. |
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Aug 13, 2015 16:50:03 GMT -8
We aren't normally ones for lots of regulations, but maybe it'd not be a totally bad idea to have people who tow (anything) do an online class and have a certificate that they completed at least that much.
Years ago, when Mercedes offered its first SUV in the US, they provided every new owner with a day of off-road driving experience. Yes, in their own brand new Mercedes. When we had our first 4wd, we took a class at a local community college to learn how to use it safely. Maybe something for towing would save some lives.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Aug 13, 2015 17:11:02 GMT -8
I don't like having extra regulations either, Hamlet but I have to agree with you. Even an online course so that people are educated about the factors involved.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 14, 2015 7:04:20 GMT -8
That is why we try to talk about it here, hopefully some of it will help a little. If it saves one person it is worth it. The problem is a lot of people don't realize how easy a trailer can take control of a tow vehicle.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 16, 2015 14:40:41 GMT -8
Just heard about another trailer coming unhooked and crossing the center line. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt but it brought a nice vacation to a screaming halt. My guess is they forgot to latch and secure the coupler.
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