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Old 01-28-2021, 12:30 AM   #1
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Did I see something weird this evening?

We were driving up the freeway this evening, and passed a Jeep Wrangler driving at ~50mph in the right lane (in a 70 zone). It was just after dark, so I couldn't tell what the issue was until we got close.

He was towing an A-Frame trailer - with its roof up.

I have never had that style of trailer, but.... I thought you were supposed to stow the roof before moving? Especially at freeway(ish) speeds?
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Old 01-28-2021, 01:49 AM   #2
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Maybe the mechanism for operating the top failed. There is also the remote possibility that the A frame was stolen and they didn't know how or take the time to put it down.
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Old 01-28-2021, 11:52 AM   #3
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Maybe the mechanism for operating the top failed. There is also the remote possibility that the A frame was stolen and they didn't know how or take the time to put it down.
But ordinarily, the top *should* be down before pulling it down the freeway?
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Old 01-28-2021, 11:53 AM   #4
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But ordinarily, the top *should* be down before pulling it down the freeway?
Yes. You definitely saw something weird.
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Old 01-28-2021, 03:41 PM   #5
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We were driving up the freeway this evening, and passed a Jeep Wrangler driving at ~50mph in the right lane (in a 70 zone). It was just after dark, so I couldn't tell what the issue was until we got close.

He was towing an A-Frame trailer - with its roof up.

I have never had that style of trailer, but.... I thought you were supposed to stow the roof before moving? Especially at freeway(ish) speeds?

Big question is, Did you call the 911 to report the issue?


Maybe the driver needed some assistance or like someone said maybe it was stolen. Either way it should be reported for his safety and the safety of others.
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Old 01-28-2021, 04:08 PM   #6
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Big question is, Did you call the 911 to report the issue?


Maybe the driver needed some assistance or like someone said maybe it was stolen. Either way it should be reported for his safety and the safety of others.
Not sure if this is serious or not, but no, I didn't. I have never had or used an A-frame camper and wasn't positive that it wasn't supposed to be towed that way.

Thus my question.
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Old 01-28-2021, 06:08 PM   #7
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Not sure if this is serious or not, but no, I didn't. I have never had or used an A-frame camper and wasn't positive that it wasn't supposed to be towed that way.

Thus my question.

Sorry, I was serious with my question as you stated he was doing 50 in a 70.

That in itself in my opinion would be reason enough to make someone aware of what looked to be a bad situation.



No harm no foul.
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Old 01-28-2021, 06:56 PM   #8
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Sorry, I was serious with my question as you stated he was doing 50 in a 70.

That in itself in my opinion would be reason enough to make someone aware of what looked to be a bad situation.



No harm no foul.
Fair enough. But the minimum legal speed on the Interstate in Washington is something like 40, so I am not likely to call 911 for someone going faster than that.
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Old 01-28-2021, 11:44 PM   #9
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Fair enough. But the minimum legal speed on the Interstate in Washington is something like 40, so I am not likely to call 911 for someone going faster than that.
Looked it up because I haven't seen a minimum speed sign in like forever.

Back in about 1977 they changed law to just say you can't impede traffic. Local authorities can mandate minimum speeds on roads in their jurisdictions though.

Right hand lane? Not causing traffic jam? No violation.

Back in the 60's when our freeways were just opening I saw minimum speed signs and also minimum Horsepower signs that were meant to keep scooters and mopeds off the freeway but they went away.
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Old 01-29-2021, 07:29 PM   #10
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Looked it up because I haven't seen a minimum speed sign in like forever.

Back in about 1977 they changed law to just say you can't impede traffic. Local authorities can mandate minimum speeds on roads in their jurisdictions though.

Right hand lane? Not causing traffic jam? No violation.

Back in the 60's when our freeways were just opening I saw minimum speed signs and also minimum Horsepower signs that were meant to keep scooters and mopeds off the freeway but they went away.
I-10 in Metairie, LA. Minimum speed 40.
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Old 01-29-2021, 07:36 PM   #11
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I-10 in Metairie, LA. Minimum speed 40.

Gorilla looking through the fence??
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Old 01-29-2021, 07:40 PM   #12
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Gorilla looking through the fence??
I did not notice that. I'll have to look for it next time I take that route.
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Old 01-29-2021, 07:50 PM   #13
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I-10 in Metairie, LA. Minimum speed 40.
No argument there and I've seen it in other states too.

However----

I was responding to a post where the very first sentence said "40 mph in Washington".





As a side note to "impeding traffic" have you ever noticed how slow traffic can get when several police officers are sitting alongside (many times way off) the road with their flashing lights on, especially at night.

I get the safety aspect but does it take ALL the lights? How about just the car in the rear? Most of the time I see something like this it involves someone in handcuffs and that too causes a lot of "Rubber-Necking" and traffic slowdowns.
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Old 01-29-2021, 07:52 PM   #14
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No argument there and I've seen it in other states too.

However----

I was responding to a post where the very first sentence said "40 mph in Washington".

Can't argue with that.
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Old 01-30-2021, 08:53 AM   #15
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Perhaps the A-Frame was still up because his DW was still asleep in the back and he didn’t want to disturb her.
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Old 02-04-2021, 09:03 PM   #16
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TitanMike

The police have on ALL of their lights because they regularly get struck in the rear by stupid drivers who have their heads no clue how to drive. And unfortunately you just can't fix stupid.
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Old 02-04-2021, 09:34 PM   #17
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Gorilla looking through the fence??

Sasquatch!
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Old 02-04-2021, 09:50 PM   #18
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Gorilla looking through the fence??
nah, scorch mark from the last asshat doing stupid things on a crotch-rocket; lol

is it me or do those people just like to scare the **** out of people who are towing something? more than a "coincidence" number of times that I have someone on a street bike fly by almost close enough to reach out and close line them (hey, theres an idea...) and before anyone says it no, wasn't going slow. i generally run at about the 70-75 mark on the interstate while towing so unless someone REALLY has a bug up their rear most aren't flying around me to pass.
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Old 02-05-2021, 07:10 AM   #19
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We were driving up the freeway this evening, and passed a Jeep Wrangler driving at ~50mph in the right lane (in a 70 zone). It was just after dark, so I couldn't tell what the issue was until we got close.

He was towing an A-Frame trailer - with its roof up.

I have never had that style of trailer, but.... I thought you were supposed to stow the roof before moving? Especially at freeway(ish) speeds?
I lower ours just to move to another site in the same campground. It only takes 2 minutes or so.

I'd bet there was an issue with the actuator, they're notorious for failing. But usually it's when lifting not lowering.

For those watching at home: just unbolt the actuator, take it off and give the rear panel a good jerk. Oh. And stand back, it'll come down fast.
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Old 02-05-2021, 07:37 AM   #20
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Travel Trailer tires usually specify not to exceed 65 mph. Even in posted 70 mph zones where they(trucks and cars) do 80 mph routinely. 50 mph is a recipe for trouble . Travel trailers always should stay to the far right lanes especially with china bombs.
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