Safety: Learning from Incidents, Accidents & Crashes

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I can see the same thing happening with these new "lane departure" warnings and such, people becoming such slaves to them that they fail to pay attention to the traffic around them the old-fashioned way— exactly like the driver in the commercial. How exactly does this work, keeping people safer by making them worse drivers?

This is probably complete BS, because a car dealer told us this, but when we were shopping for our Flex they were trying to talk us into buying a newer one because it had all these gadgets - lane awareness, front impact awareness, self parking, and of course rear sensors and backup cameras, traction control, etc, etc. They said one of their salesmen had driven from Portland to Eugene down I5, without his hands on the wheel, letting the flex keep an eye on the lanes and correct as necessary, slowing down and speeding up as necessary using the cruise control and front sensors. And of course when he got where he was going it could parallel park itself. Probably BS, but that was more frightening than inspirational as far as I was concerned.

We took the oldest, lowest feature model we could get. I still prefer to DRIVE when I'm driving.

[John&Vicki]

Switz...

That's really sophisticated technology. Can you give us an idea of what vehicles it could be installed on and what kind of costs are involved?

Thanks,
Poppy

[xrvr]

ABS was always advertised showing a vehicle stopping more quickly in a straight line, no mention of turning. It actually allows the vehicle to go farther before stopping than one without ABS. If irpt would allow some steering, then that would also increase the distance. Perhaps some aren't old enough to have driven non ABS cars, some with good brakes, some without. But what I said in my previous post, I stand behind. ABS is for the average driver, it helps them stop, it helps me stop, but it may not be the panacea that some believe. Do I think cars should have it, absolutely, because the vast majority of us need it! Jim

[switz]

In my opinion, disc brakes should be on all Airstream trailers as they are supposed to be technology leaders.

Their costs would be under $600 for a single axle and under $1,200 for dual axle trailers for the Kodiak 12" Dacromet Finish rotors. They already prefer and use the Dexter hydraulic brake pump on their conversions (sub $700).

We went with the Titan brand BrakeRite II SD hydraulic pump system because the electronics module is separate from the actual pump and is field (on the road) replaceable (I have a spare electronics module in the truck). The pump is in the $750 class. It took about 12 man hours for the conversion with a person who has done dozens of these conversions doing the work.

BrakeRite II SD overview:

BrakeRite II SD Kit Electric / Hydraulic Actuator 4835700 by Titan

The Tuson DirecLink NE hydraulic brake controller was around $395. We ran a dedicated #10 wire from the battery positive post to a 30 amp circuit breaker and then to the 7 way plug on the back of the truck. We ran a dedicated #10 wire from the negative post to the 7 way plug on the back of the truck. We ran a dedicated "blue" wire from the battery positive post to a 30 amp circuit breaker and then the Tuson DirecLink controller power to brake lead. We took #10 wire from the DirecLink to the brake pin 7 way plug on the back of the truck. We disconnected the factory wires going to those three posts on the 7 way plug.

The DirecLink information:

Tuson RV Brakes - Trailer Brake Controllers, Sway Control, Brake Actuators, Hydraulic ABS

If I knew then what I know now, I would have installed ABS style rotors and the Tuson ActuLink ABS pump and would not have that expense to replace what we did install.

The factory price is around $3,000 to convert to disc brakes, exclusive of the truck side. I think I am close to $3,000 for the complete brake system modification.

This link gives a great overview of disc brakes performance over drum brakes:

DirecLink from Tuson RV Brakes has Finally ABS Trailer Brakes for fast smooth safer stops, Anti-Lock-Brakes for trailers,ABS brakes for horse trailers, DirecLink trailer brake controller networks with trucks computer for faster braking and diagnosis.

[xrvr]

Question. ABS or disc brakes. Which was the greatest improvement in safety for auto? Together they are great, but which was the greater improvement. I swear, hitting the drum brakes on some old autos and you felt like you sped up. Sorry if I hijacked the thread. Jim

[tvketchum]

Automatic transmission made the need for antilock brakes. With a clutch, the engine idles, the brakes are the same on all wheels in almost all conditions , because nothing is making one pair turn while the other locks up and renders steering useless. I always preferred sticks, but now you hardly can't get a manual with more than 2000 or 3000 lbs tow rating. In a stick, I could control braking and steering, and avoided many situations where automatics would crash.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Tom
TVKetchum

[J. Morgan]

Hyd disk brakes are nice on trailers. I have specced several work trailers to be built with them, I really really like them, but I didn't feel I needed them on my A/S, it stops well.

If money was no object and I didnt need to prioritize my trailer would have em.

[J. Morgan]

Disk brakes are better than antilock in my book, although adequately sized drums can work very well.

Virtually all 18 wheelers have very good drum brakes.

[John&Vicki]

I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it:

http://youtu.be/vZFCHk1XCDY

Unbelievable.

Poppy

[cwf]

Disproval of "Darwin"... they still keep showing up!!!

[J. Morgan]

Fifteen minutes before the video was recorded, just as they left the rest area at the tail end of a particularly difficult trip, the fellows wife told him she was divorcing him, and as soon as they got home she was taking the Nissan and leaving..

On his final pre departure walk around he quietly slipped the transmission into park....

[J. Morgan]

Here is my theory of what really happened.....

I think the truck was not an automatic but had a manual transmission....

At about 8:00 AM that morning he had mistakenly left the transmission in reverse after hitching up.

He pulled the poor little truck for several hours with the poor engine turning backward.... and really fast considering the gearing, until the engine seized from lack of oil, which in spite of the engine turning 6,800 rpm backwards took some time. Oil pumps don't work turning backwards....

He was too embarrassed at this point to throw the tranny into neutral, because he has a big ego, so he acted like Pee Wee Herman when he crashed his bicycle,,, "I meant to do that"....

[John&Vicki]

As we all know, hitches are a big factor when it comes to safety. But it can frequently be difficult to research them here because it's an almost religious issue and the discussions often end up in a quagmire if personal opinion and emotion.

Most have probably seen these, but there are two threads on-going right now that are the best I've seen on the topic of hitches. Heavily centered on discussing off the ball hitches, Hensley Arrows and ProPrides, but highly informed with lots of facts. Here are the links:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...ns-124331.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ng-124322.html

Cheers,
John

[polarlyse]

Even if the trans was in reverse the engine still will turn forward. Think about every time we drive in reverse. Still not good. If that is what happened ?

[Gearheart]

Originally Posted by polarlyse

Even if the trans was in reverse the engine still will turn forward. Think about every time we drive in reverse. Still not good. If that is what happened ?

Not so. With the trans in reverse and wheels going forward, it drives everything else backward.
When you drive in reverse you are going backwards.

[xrvr]

What?? Jim

[Gearheart]

Originally Posted by tvketchum

Automatic transmission made the need for antilock brakes. With a clutch, the engine idles, the brakes are the same on all wheels in almost all conditions , because nothing is making one pair turn while the other locks up and renders steering useless. I always preferred sticks, but now you hardly can't get a manual with more than 2000 or 3000 lbs tow rating. In a stick, I could control braking and steering, and avoided many situations where automatics would crash.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Tom
TVKetchum

Automatics and front wheel drive. There are too many forces influencing the wheels you want to steer with. Front wheel drive basically makes ABS necessary.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by Gearheart

Not so. With the trans in reverse and wheels going forward, it drives everything else backward.
When you drive in reverse you are going backwards.

Right.

[polarlyse]

OOOPs. Thanks for straightening me out on that one. I was only thinking in 1 direction.

[John&Vicki]

Airstream accident today:

RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Towing: Jackknife with Hensley

WBCCI members - anyone know these folks? Hope everyone is OK.

John