Safety: Learning from Incidents, Accidents & Crashes

[switz]

After parking our trailer in a difficult spotting exercise after driving 330 miles, I moved the truck forward and heard a loud mechanical pop/bang noise from the front. I looked and could not see anything. We drove out for some supplies and the steering wheel suddenly shifter 45 degrees clockwise with a noise. I looked once again and could see nothing. We went back to the park (about a half mile) at the posted 25 mph and parked the truck until the next morning when an alignment shop opened.

We found an attachment bolt must have NOT been torqued properly on the new alignment bar, but because the tie rod the connected both front wheel steering arms was in place, the bolt could not fall out.

If this had happened earlier as we were driving 55 on a secondary highway and the bolt had been able to completely escape, there would have been total loss of steering. Not an event one wishes to contemplate.

The local shop took the front end apart, cleaned the threads, and put lock rite on the bolt and reassembled the front end. I had a nice "chat" with the original installer. We will replace the original unique design bolt when I can get to the original installer next week.

I thought some more about the possibilities of such an event and the process of stopping in the event of loss of steering would probably be full application of the trailer brakes along with the diesel engine braking to bring the unit to a stop (we have disc brakes on the trailer) as any brake effort on the front wheels could be problematic.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by switz

I thought some more about the possibilities of such an event and the process of stopping in the event of loss of steering would probably be full application of the trailer brakes along with the diesel engine braking to bring the unit to a stop (we have disc brakes on the trailer) as any brake effort on the front wheels could be problematic.

Don't forget the parking brake in your scenario. That sort of event may not be what the parking brake is designed for, but it's better than no tow vehicle brakes at all. And hopefully the parking brake is activated by a foot pedal and not a hand lever so you can leave both hands on the wheel for what little steering effect you'll have with only one front wheel still connected to the steering wheel.

[Len n Jeanne]

Thanks, everyone, for your expressions of concern about our recent accident.
Fortunately we are fine, just getting antsy now waiting to hear from the insurance adjuster. I just heard from one located in the Vancouver area-- we're located just north of the tip of the Idaho panhandle, so apparently the front office didn't get that BC is a huge province.

We heard back from the two dealerships I contacted, after we sent them photos. Doug at Airstream of Spokane wrote that the damage would probably cost about $25K to repair, and our unit would retail for about $20K Write-off. The folks at Midtown RV in Penticton, BC have also been really helpful, also assessing it as a write-off, and noting that their sales people were standing by.

Paula, you've got great advice about belongings. Fortunately we weren't far from home when the accident happened, and we were able to drive home and park the Bambi along the road. It has become sort of a local sight-seeing attraction in the neighbourhood, with all sorts of people stopping to ask what happened. Ironically, the accident wrecked the Bambi but left most of our personal belongings completely intact.

We do hope to be back on the road with another "little guy" as soon as this one gets handled.

Here are some photos.

[polarlyse]

Since PRO mentioned the parking brake. It used to be called " emergency brake" and that was it's OTHER function. In the old days they were either foot operated or a pull handle under the dash. Later many became a pull handle in the center console. Some newer cars now have electronically applied PARKING brake that are applied by a button on the dash and only a indicator light to show application. These new fangled parking brakes CANNOT be applied while in motion so the can no longer function as an emergency brake.

[tvketchum]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

I consider my trailer marginally safer with my HA, to me the hitch was worth what I paid for it and more for the ease in driving alone.

There are some folks who are content to travel at 55 on the interstate, (and that is fine!), I am not one of these, never have been, doubt I ever will be.

My Hensley is the better option for my F150. I don't set speed records, though. I leave more room between my combo and the vehicle ahead. There are , I'm sure, other combos for various trailers and TVs. The biggest factor in any crash is driving too fast for conditions. Conditions can vary, by weather, by traffic volumes, by time of day, time of the year. What is safe and prudent today may be wreck less and dangerous tomorrow on any given stretch of road, regardless of hitch used.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Tom
TVKetchum

[J. Morgan]

Agreed. Reasonable and prudent have A LOT to do with conditions, equipment, and traffic.

Driving is about considering and weighing risks and keeping them reasonable and slight.

It might be argued by some that if 55 is safe, 45 is even safer, I don't think that this is always true, and at the same time with regard to interstate/highway driving, 55 is not always safer than 65.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

Thanks, everyone, for your expressions of concern about our recent accident.
Fortunately we are fine, just getting antsy now waiting to hear from the insurance adjuster. I just heard from one located in the Vancouver area-- we're located just north of the tip of the Idaho panhandle, so apparently the front office didn't get that BC is a huge province.

We heard back from the two dealerships I contacted, after we sent them photos. Doug at Airstream of Spokane wrote that the damage would probably cost about $25K to repair, and our unit would retail for about $20K Write-off. The folks at Midtown RV in Penticton, BC have also been really helpful, also assessing it as a write-off, and noting that their sales people were standing by.

Paula, you've got great advice about belongings. Fortunately we weren't far from home when the accident happened, and we were able to drive home and park the Bambi along the road. It has become sort of a local sight-seeing attraction in the neighbourhood, with all sorts of people stopping to ask what happened. Ironically, the accident wrecked the Bambi but left most of our personal belongings completely intact.

We do hope to be back on the road with another "little guy" as soon as this one gets handled.

Here are some photos.

Thanks for posting, painful as it is (for you and us!). Your accident really was one of those that you just can't legislate for; half a pole on wires? However do you plan for that?

Anyway, let's hope that you're back on the road soon one way or another.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Agreed. Reasonable and prudent have A LOT to do with conditions, equipment, and traffic.

Driving is about considering and weighing risks and keeping them reasonable and slight.

It might be argued by some that if 55 is safe, 45 is even safer, I don't think that this is always true, and at the same time with regard to interstate/highway driving, 55 is not always safer than 65.

I've never been a fan of the idea that you have to keep up with the bulk of the traffic on a highway. Yes, driving slowly on a fast road can be considered dangerous and certainly irritating for people in a hurry, but for me there's a balance to be struck. I'm comfortable at around 100 kilometers an hour, that's 62 mph, on a good and dry road; slower in the wet, of course. My TV likes it and my Airstream behaves very well, too. I can go faster but the gas mileage begins to get silly and I also need more room around me to allow for for reaction time. Also, even an additional 5 mph makes the stopping distance of TV and trailer quite a bit longer. That there are people flying past me at speeds above 80 mph is immaterial really. There are two, three or more lanes to be used on a highway and I really don't see how my maintaining a reasonably safe 60-65 mph in the right-hand lane is causing anyone any major inconvenience. Some vehicles move more slowly than others, get used to it.

There are a few highways with minimum speeds posted, and I'm happy with that. Also, just so you know, I wouldn't drive at 45 mph on a highway, either. As I said, it's a matter of balance.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

...However do you plan for that?

Side air-bags?

[Chuck]

On further review, the reason that there is such a large dent in the trailer is that it was unable to yield to the lateral force of the swinging half-pole. The trapezoidal linkage of a Hensley would have allowed the trailer to shift gently to the side, thereby avoiding damage.

[xrvr]

What? Jim

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Chuck

On further review, the reason that there is such a large dent in the trailer is that it was unable to yield to the lateral force of the swinging half-pole. The trapezoidal linkage of a Hensley would have allowed the trailer to shift gently to the side, thereby avoiding damage.

He said, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

[J. Morgan]

We really are not that far apart, you drive at 62 a lot, and I drive at 65 a lot...

[switz]

We were driving south on highway 191 in Arizona south of I-40. The first 50 miles were smooth as glass and I eased up to 60 with 65 posted. Then it became an undulating nightmare and at times 30 was fast. Got to drive to the road conditions.

[Len n Jeanne]

We'll consider that Hensley option for Bambi II. Possibly.

Getting hit by a snapped telephone pole may be a freak accident; but being right behind a driver who loses control of her car, endangering the vehicles behind her, not so much.

Reflecting back on the accident, and now well into Insurance Land, there are just a couple of recommendations to forward. I hadn't been in an accident since 1988, so was a bit fuzzy on the need to:

1. Know some emergency first aid.

Our accident happened in a settled area of lakeside cottages, but it took the volunteer paramedics about 25 minutes to arrive from a little town to the north, the ambulance (from the bigger town to the south) about 45 minutes to arrive, and the RCMP nearly an hour. The utility crew showed up to fix the power lines about 1.5 hours later. Had these been live and falling on the road, we could have had a bigger problem.

Our cell phone service was marginal, in-and-out, in the crash site. Especially in the rural West, your cell phone may not work for you to dial 911.

Even someone who appears uninjured can go into shock.

2. Keep a few emergency orange triangles in the back of your vehicle, to alert oncoming traffic of a problem and to steer them into the open lane, if any.

3. If the other driver involved is lucid, see if you can get the name of his insurance company. We honestly didn't think of this. Our insurance company did, and now the process will take longer while they track it. Also the plate and driver's license number. The latter two go on the police report, but deciphering a fuzzy carbon copy with illegible handwriting can slow things down.

4. The more expensive insurance plan that will allow you to buy a new AS if yours is totaled is worth it.

5. If you can walk away from a crash, count your blessings.

[John&Vicki]

Thanks for sharing this with us Len and Jeanne. You've reinforced some things I've been thinking about. As many others do here, my wife and I enjoy traveling in remote areas. I took a first aide course years ago and I think I'm going to do a refresher. It also occurs to me that we don't carry orange triangles - might be a good idea to have a bright jacket also. I recently obtained an agreed value insurance policy for my 25 year trailer and you reinforce the wisdom of that decision.

Again, I'm very glad you two are OK. It can sound almost cavalier at times when you're still a little stunned from an accident, but as others say here, stuff can be replaced. The important thing is that our fellow Streamers are OK.

John

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by John-aka-Poppy

It also occurs to me that we don't carry orange triangles - might be a good idea to have a bright jacket also.

Here's what I use:
Lighted collapsible safety cones, three in each vehicle: Amazon.com : 28 Inch Lighted, Collapsible Traffic Safety Cone : Sports Cones : Sports & Outdoors
Class II three-color safety vest, one in each vehicle (I'm a solo traveler, but families should have one per person):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Signal wand flashlight, one in my car, two in my Airstream Interstate (so I can use them to give backing-up signals to late arrivals at a campground):
http://www.amazon.com/Dorcy-41-1061-...productDetails

[AWCHIEF]

That reminds me. I left my triangles in the Bambi when I sold it. Need a new set.

[Len n Jeanne]

Thanks, John and Protagonist.

We actually had some emergency road triangles in the back of our truck, but they were pushed so far forward behind all our camping gear-- with a smashed-in truck & topper back-end under live wires attached to a broken power pole-- that ours were useless. Fortunately someone else stopped at the crash scene got out his triangles. The moral being that if you carry emergency equipment, make sure it is immediately accessible.

Beefier accident safety equipment sounds even better, as other people stopped at the scene had to direct traffic through the one open lane till the paramedics and some type of highway crew showed up with flagman (flag person?) stop & slow signs and walkie-talkies. (A lot of RVers carry these, also, but we didn't.)

We meet with the insurance adjuster on Tuesday, so we'll see what he says, but we hope to back on the road with some type of small AS prior to going to southern Utah in October.

Thanks, John/Poppy-- you are absolutely right. People first, and thankfully we walked away without a scratch, and the woman who ran into the pole didn't seem to be seriously injured.

[BoldAdventure]

I keep road flares in my Ramboxes along with the triangles and safety vest. Personally, I like flares best, because there is almost no missing road flares. Especially at night on a long stretch of highway. They do expire after some time, so check them and light a camp fire with one every now and then.