Be careful out there

[Anders]

Just a quick note to wish you all safe travels!

We had a very close call on the 8th of this month. We were heading out from our place here in British Columbia on a two week trip to the prairies (Alberta and Saskatchewan) to visit family.

We got on the inland Island Highway (divided hwy) and were cruising at 90 km / 55 mph. An opposing logging truck blew a tire and dived in to the concrete meridian, concrete flying everywhere. The chains snapped and logs went flying, two in our direction.

By the time the two logs hit us we were stopped, however the logs were still travelling at about 40 mph.

We sustained a fair amount of damage to the driver side front end of the truck and to the driver side axels of the 5th wheel trailer. Both are in the sick bay for a week or so.

We both are fine, my wife a bit soar and are getting massage and physio treatments. The logging truck driver even walked out of his unit. That no one was hurt is a miracle.

Here is a clip showing the severity from our local news Logging truck crash closes part of Inland Island highway | CHEK

What are your opinons on the integrity of the hitch (Hijacker Autoslide) and the Glide Ride Pinbox after a blow like this?

Sometimes it does not matter how slow and safe one drives. We will be back on the road once our unit comes out of sick bay, heading for Baja, Mexico.

Wishing you all safe travels.

Here are some images from my FB page: hope they come through.


https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...78&oe=5661E2B4

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...e1&oe=56A96679

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...bb&oe=56A83EE6

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...85&oe=56A7E8FA

[Mrs Evans]

You really do have so much to be grateful for. What a scary experience! I'm so glad no one was hurt and I hope the damage to your vehicle and rv are minimal.

[nducker23]

Yea those close calls are scary. We had tanker truck run a stop sign on a exit ramp and we were lucky enough to be on inside lane. Could have been worse cause we had just picked up Our camper from dealership getting work done on It

[LandJ]

Wow! Thank goodness everyone is okay.

[Phil57]

So very glad that you are all ok. Everything else is replaceable but you. I guess the vacation is done but more to come.
You did a nice job on TV also.

[NoviBill]

So glad you are OK!

[ependydad]

Glad that you're OK. But this completely unexpected is what makes me shake my head when people say, "I'm a safe driver and will never be in an accident."

[purduepete97]

Re: your question about the hitch and pin box, I'd want/demand insurance pay for both to be replaced. I have no idea what a log traveling at 40 MPH could do, but I'm sure it wouldn't be good. Also be sure they check the integrity of the frame in the pin box area for cracked welds/bends.
Glad you're safe!
Brian

[Big Vic]

Reminds me of a similar experience...I was driving on Interstate 80 near SF on the way to the airport. Someone pulled in front of a logging truck which was in an adjacent lane, and then slammed on the brakes. I was right next to the truck, which then slammed on his brakes and the log filled trailer started to jackknife towards the rear of my vehicle. I saw the logs coming at me in my rear view and sped up, just got away in time. The jackknife and log spilling closed down the hwy for a while.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Big Vic

Reminds me of a similar experience...I was driving on Interstate 80 near SF on the way to the airport. Someone pulled in front of a logging truck which was in an adjacent lane, and then slammed on the brakes. I was right next to the truck, which then slammed on his brakes and the log filled trailer started to jackknife towards the rear of my vehicle. I saw the logs coming at me in my rear view and sped up, just got away in time. The jackknife and log spilling closed down the hwy for a while.

5 or 6 years ago, that's almost exactly how an accident occurred on I-70 - traffic was backed up on one side of the highway, so someone made a u-turn at one of the "authorized vehicles only" cut throughs. They pulled in front of a truck carrying something big and heavy. It slammed its brakes and swerved to avoid them and ended up losing its load. The load hit another set of cars- one of which the occupants died. The car that cut through and caused it wasn't involved and didn't stop.

[scootingranny]

WOW! Glad no major damages and no injuries. Hope you are back on the road soon

[jkoenig24]

You DID buy a lottery ticket later that day, didn't you?


Glad you came through that "adventure" intact!

[mtnlvr]

I'm so glad you are both ok. Many years ago I had a relative who was killed by a log falling off a logging truck.
Personally, I'm alive now because of being in heavy safe vehicles after being hit a few times " by the OTHER drivers." You can be a great driver and it doesn't make a difference.
I hope your ins. Co. Will pay for the new parts. In one head on accident my new car was only three months old. The frame was welded and State Farm refused to total it. Four months in the shop and $17,000 later, I had to make payments on a worthless MBZ.

[Steeljag]

You just never know! Glad everyone is alright!

[vminchew]

So glad to hear that you are relative ok. I know you must be in shock! You are right we all need to be carful they are called accidents, because no one does it on purpose.

[Anders]

Thanks everyone for your kind wishes. We are back on the road, with our car while the Truck and trailer are in sick bay.

We will have to stay in hotels and insurance company have agreed to pay for trip and all repairs.

Cheers,

[elchilero53]

Good heavens! I'm mighty glad y'all are OK! By all means have everything thoroughly checked. A large tractor-trailer rig jackknifed on the Interstate near our house while avoiding an idiot driving recklessly in a pickup. A couple in a Dodge Ram 3500 pulling a 30' 5r had to jam on the brakes. They hit the big rig and the 5r they were towing sheared its pin and smashed into the back of the TV cab. Fortunately, they were still on the highway and didn't jackknife themselves. The fool who caused the wreck didn't fare so well; his truck was totaled and they were loading him into an ambulance when I went past on the opposite side.

[tenttotrailer]

I am glad all is well. Truck and trailer can be fixed. That was certainly not a 2x4 falling off the back of a pickup. Take care.

Kevin

[Terier]

That had to be extremely scary to go through. I'm glad to hear that everyone is safe.

[silverback 35ts]

Sure glad no one was hurt hope the rest of your trip goes as planned, Happy Camping