Travel trailer and a semi

[Croaker]

Glad everybody is unharmed. You sure he didn't just sideswipe you ?? Your statement of being "sucked in" may work against you in a claim.

We lost a claim when my wife was asked by the other insurance company "how far were you from the line in the road" when my wife answered that she did not know how far she was from the center line, the insurance company quoted my wife as saying that she "did not know if she was driving on the other side of the line".

Be very careful of the statements you make....just sayin'

[kendive]

Originally Posted by DAISY BOYKIN

I use to tow a travel trailer, got rid of it for the very same reason and went to a fifth wheel.

When I towed the TT and arrived at my destination, as I would get out of the truck, you could see where I gripped the steering wheel and the leather seat had a huge pucker where I sat.

Like said before a few posts above fifth wheels do the same thing. If you were white knuckled towing all the time something was setup improperly.

I tow our camper and use just one hand on the steering wheel. I also have extended tow mirrors and a camera on the back of the TT. I know what is coming from behind and just expect it to suck over a little... I have never been white knuckled though.

[CaptnJohn]

Ken --- I pulled TTs for decades with only one really white knuckle/pucker experience. There were the tugs from passing semis always which is expected. In the 1980s I started leaving a window open on both sides of the TT which may be my imagination but seemed to help. As for pulling 5ers the same forces apply but I have yet had a noticeable tug. Could be that I'm always towing with a more than capable for the load. Hope that tug never materializes

[DocGTO]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

OK gotcha. I wasn't criticizing. I can see the possibility.

Just........this is so bizarre that I am curious about it all. (You ain't helping my considerable pucker factor, I'll tell ya..........LOL)

You are not getting sucked into anything with that 3500 dually and fiver. You ar solid.

[DocGTO]

Originally Posted by kendive

Like said before a few posts above fifth wheels do the same thing. If you were white knuckled towing all the time something was setup improperly.

I tow our camper and use just one hand on the steering wheel. I also have extended tow mirrors and a camera on the back of the TT. I know what is coming from behind and just expect it to suck over a little... I have never been white knuckled though.

Two years with my fiver and zero push pull from anything. I'm sure the dually helps but even in my 3/4 ton it was never noticeable. With my tag trailers? Yes, all the time.

[Chpusmc]

Good job on making it to camp without injuries. It's funny how many truckers pass so they can drive 1-2 MPH faster. Makes no sense. Hopefully the insurance claim will be painless.

[kendive]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Ken --- I pulled TTs for decades with only one really white knuckle/pucker experience. There were the tugs from passing semis always which is expected. In the 1980s I started leaving a window open on both sides of the TT which may be my imagination but seemed to help. As for pulling 5ers the same forces apply but I have yet had a noticeable tug. Could be that I'm always towing with a more than capable for the load. Hope that tug never materializes

Sounded like you always were towing with white knuckles.

I use to keep windows open on the camper hoping it would help keep it cooler. LOL Now I just leave a vent open on top.

[txkreddog]

Agree completely with the dashcam. Glad everyone is OK, really scary.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by kendive

Sounded like you always were towing with white knuckles.

I use to keep windows open on the camper hoping it would help keep it cooler. LOL Now I just leave a vent open on top.

No, only one white knuckle experience. That was in 1974, possibly before you were born. It was towing a 28' TT with a Plymouth Fury. Many changes have come about since then in TTs, TVs, and hitches. Best thing I found is 1 ton TVs and 5ers.

[jgourlie]

It's sad to see a 312qbud in that kind of shape. So glad that everyone is ok!!

[D_B Travelers]

WOW! Tom, you are very, very fortunate to have survived this! I am really hoping the 18 wheeler paid for everything. ? Dang...that scares me and I am just looking at your photo!

[dcheatwood]

Felt the pull many times but always managed to avoid collision. So glad you're all ok.

[EXGMTech]

Originally Posted by DocGTO

Two years with my fiver and zero push pull from anything. I'm sure the dually helps but even in my 3/4 ton it was never noticeable. With my tag trailers? Yes, all the time.

Me too.....with my dually/5er combo I feel nothing when semi's pass. I think the dually factor is the biggest factor.

[325BH]

Keep in mind, WD hitches with "built in" sway control have minimal sway control.

An actual anti-sway bar provides a substantial amount of sway control. Also, they can be used in conjunction with the WD systems.


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[doc73]

Not according to the info from equalizer..

In my experience the WD without built in control is not as stable as those with..

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7

[windsurfdog]

I need to call major BS on a lot of posts trashing BO lack of sway control. It appears obvious that those who have not used a SwayPro are doing the most barking with the least experience/knowledge.

The well tuned SwayPro, like other well tuned WDH's, will create a single unit between your TT and TV. If the trailer gets sucked in, so will the truck and vice versa.

I'll bet those who contend otherwise would not even think of doing such factless bashing if OP were utilizing the WDH of their choice.

And if OP is tainted against BO because of this experience, so be it...buy something else. But know that any other well tuned...and I emphasize well tuned...WDH would not react differently IMHO.

Flame on...

[happyttowner]

The pull of a semi when they pass is crazy freaky. I try to stay as close to the shoulder as I can but my father in law who likes to stay close to the center line has had some close calls. I have seen him get sucked in and hit once and I have tried to tell him to stay as close to the shoulder as he can but to this day he still likes that center line. I watch from my side mirror as one passes him and tighten my butt cheeks every time. And plus those semi drivers don't care, they are full throttle all the time.

[D_B Travelers]

HappyTTowner,
I see lots of folks that shy away from the side of the road, especially when there are concrete barriers there. I think part of that is because we can't see how much space is between us and the barrier (or shoulder drop off) on the right side as well as we can see the space out our left window. I keep an eye on my rear view mirrors to help insure I am traveling down the center of my lane. Don't know that your father's driving habits though, good luck with that!

[mrpep]

Originally Posted by tomrob1161

Trying again to attach the picture of our accident. I'm glad you folks were safe. We can always replace trucks and trailers. We survived our encounter with an 18 wheeler when he passed us on a no passing bridge, 18' wide. We have replaced the truck and trailer and are still enjoying camping.

Tom & Robbie

What exactly happened? Please tell , it could serve us all as advice of what not to do.


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[dwayneb236]

Have not ever felt anything when semis pass me with my 41 ft fiver and F350 dually. Rock solid.
I also had never felt any of the pull mentioned here with my previous 35 ft bumper pull and F250. Guess I was lucky with that one.