A little adventure into a big one - Page 4

Fyrzowt · 10-24-2006, 11:54 PM

Is anyone aware of an anti-lock option for trailers, whether A/S or SOB? May have helped here, maybe not either. Just curious.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 10-25-2006, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

Is anyone aware of an anti-lock option for trailers, whether A/S or SOB? May have helped here, maybe not either. Just curious.

Hi, tire chains on the tow vehicle and tire cables on the trailer might have helped? Ford's factory installed trailer brake controller is supposed to transferr ABS signal from the truck to the trailer, but only when ABS is activated on the truck. I plan to buy cables and chains for my set up, when I retire, and do some real traveling. So far we have only been "fair weather" campers. [motorcycle term]

Bob

warbler5 · 10-25-2006, 12:30 AM

Michelle,

Thanks so much for sharing your difficult *adventure*. It is DEFINITELY an Airstreamer's worst nightmare! Thankfully, you are okay....

I am asking myself....what could you have done differently to prevent this! And, I have no answers...other than wait until a little more traffic had traveled the road. Hindsight is usually 100%

If you have the option, I think I would take Buttercup to the factory for repair. Considering all the slipping and sliding she did, she really doesn't look that bad....but, I would want to be sure!

thecatsandi · 10-25-2006, 03:32 AM

Chains may have helped but I never touched the brakes. I was on hidden ice. Not much is useful.
I have the prodigy. It is supposed to be very good if you use the brakes.

thecatsandi · 10-25-2006, 03:39 AM

THere is nothing I could have done other than not gone. I have towed in the snow before and had no problems. That was strait snow. I had no reason to be concerned about ice is was cold the night before, about 15F. Ice on the roads is usually a product of about the freezing mark.

There were three accidents on this stretch of road in 20 minutes, one fatal.
I was the first. They closed the road until it could be treated.

dieterdog · 10-25-2006, 08:28 AM

to all,, black ice is invisible,,, therefore no advance notice,,, and it is also sheer,,, and flat,,, so,,, looks like a regular black top surface,,, a very dangerous problem for us in the Northwest,,, donna

**Stefrobrts** · 10-25-2006, 09:05 AM

Am amazing story, glad you're ok. Hope they total your truck, there's no way that should be repaired.

We totalled our little Geo Tracker 4wd on black ice about ten years ago, ended up upside down in the ditch. Very scary, because the road just looked wet, and you know around here we drive on wet all the time, but suddenly there was no traction at all. Since then I have told the story to many peple who don't think black ice exists, thinks it's just a story people tell as an excuse for why they slid off the road. But really there's no way to recover once that tiny contact patch on the bottom of your tires loses it's grip. You just go where's you're going to go.

I will tell you that mentally, it has taken me a long time to trust that my car is going to keep it's grip when driving on roads that might be slick, even just from rain. People think I'm paranoid about it, but they haven't hit black ice and ended up upside down off the side of the road!

Good luck with your recovery! I think staying on dry clear roads is a good idea!

thecatsandi · 10-25-2006, 10:55 PM

I will be driving (a car) that same stretch of road tomorrow morning. It snowed today and melted. It is below freezing right now. It is going to a careful tenative ride until I get down the hill into Idaho.

klattu · 10-26-2006, 05:48 AM

As I was reading, countersteering, no brakes, busting glass to get out, the whole way you handled it...impressive.
Anyone of us would be shaken up after being shaken up...
But dang...then I find out your a woman...(purse)
Very Impressive!
Well done and quick thinking.

steelbird312 · 10-26-2006, 07:38 AM

Curiosity is what makes the world continue to improve, yet I will not qualify mine in that vein, yet update us, if you will, as to the outcome on your TV and how your insurance company treats you in the totallity of your claim. I am seeking a new insurance company, even as we speak, and would love to find a decent one. I've had no accidents since 17 years of age until a tree stepped over and tore off one end of my awning.

The dramatic increase of principle astounded me! That was the Good Sams approved GMAC underwritten insurance. My two cars, TV, Airstream TT and Airstream MH are with them. Gosh, I can only drive one at a time!, yet the principle in a year approaches $4500!!!!!!!!!!!
How can this be real.
Hope your drive went well this morning.

3Ms75Argosy · 10-26-2006, 08:41 AM

Forgot to ask, are they doing ok? Drive safely... but remember, lighting RARELY strikes twice. You should have good Karma for awhile now!

Good luck with the truck!
Marc

5cats · 10-26-2006, 10:31 AM

Hi Michelle,
So glad you fared well through your adventure! Do you have a replacement truck in mind, if the insurance company totals your F250?

Cheers.
-jd.

warbler5 · 10-26-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klattu

As I was reading, countersteering, no brakes, busting glass to get out, the whole way you handled it...impressive.
Anyone of us would be shaken up after being shaken up...
But dang...then I find out your a woman...(purse)
Very Impressive!
Well done and quick thinking.

I would thoroughly expect such a performance from a woman (or man...) who tows a 31' Classic Airstream on their own!

thecatsandi · 10-26-2006, 09:15 PM

My cats were not with me at the time. They are with friends and family right now until I settle down. Good thing because I suspect they would hot have survived. I may have been able to save one of them but not both.