Emergency Response While Towing.

rockwood06 · 11-27-2007, 06:06 AM

The camping season has slowed down for most of us part timers, at least here in the North/East. Now that there is time to think about future trips and preparation for those adventures, I was thinking of mechanical failures wile towing and how to handle them. I check everything that I can think of for safety before I pull out of my driveway, however things happen. The question I have for all those camping Veterans out there, could you all share any emergency Experiences you have encountered and how to handle them? I think that with this information it would help all of us new to the camping world some added education and put us in a position to help others.

aintgotnun · 11-27-2007, 08:19 AM

I always carry an extra spare tire for the trailer. I had an instance on my previous 5'er when I lost 2 tires on the return leg of the trip. I was about 30 miles out of the town my father lives in so he was able to bring me his spare. Since then I'm never without my extra. And get all your tires balanced.

While you have some down time, it's a good idea to clean and repack the wheel bearings as well.

As I think of more I'll add.

greg

NDJollyMon · 11-27-2007, 11:15 AM

Besides mechanical emergencies...there are other types as well.

My tips would be...
~watch for debris on the roadway ahead. You will find all sorts of things to hit on the highway to give you a flat tire. Plan ahead, and don't follow too close.
~Emergency stops! People drive like they don't value life anymore. Always be prepared for an emergency stop...and the possible sway it could create.
~Animals! DO NOT SWERVE! If you can't stop in time...it's better to take out the animal than to swerve and risk a rollover. Sometimes, the body reacts and jerks the wheel. Don't.
~Always check your mirrors. You may see something like a flat tire before you feel it. (not to mention blind spots while towing)
~Slow down! You will be much safer towing at a slower speed....why risk it?

rockwood06 · 11-27-2007, 11:26 AM

This is an extreme situation, but lets say someone is heading out for a camping trip and are miles from home, the next thing you know there is another motorist that is trying to weave you down because there is smoke coming from your wheels and tries, you pull off to the side of the road and found that you have a bad wheel bearing and it is so hot, that the tire catches fire, WHAT DO YOU DO? If the fire spreads quickly and the side of the camper is now on fire, how would one handle this? I do have an Idea, but I would like to get other opinion and Ideas.

dimurrrw · 11-27-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwood06

This is an extreme situation, but lets say someone is heading out for a camping trip and are miles from home, the next thing you know there is another motorist that is trying to weave you down because there is smoke coming from your wheels and tries, you pull off to the side of the road and found that you have a bad wheel bearing and it is so hot, that the tire catches fire, WHAT DO YOU DO? If the fire spreads quickly and the side of the camper is now on fire, how would one handle this? I do have an Idea, but I would like to get other opinion and Ideas.

Frankly, I would pull the pin out of the receiver and get the TV out of the way. Rather than risk injury, with little probability of success, I would let the trailer burn. I sure pay enough for insurance not to have to take that kind of risk.

NDJollyMon · 11-27-2007, 05:09 PM

Here's what I'd do:
1. Get all people/animals to safety. (away from road and fire) Have them call 911 for fire dept or flag down passerby to do so.
2. If you can do this safely, unhitch and move tow vehicle forward and away.
3. If you can get to your fire extinguisher in your vehicle or RV, get it and try your best to slow/stop the fire spread.
4. Stay clear of the area whether or not the fire goes out. Remember: There are many hazards to consider. Exploding tires, propane lines under RV, tanks, hazards located in storage compartments, passing vehicles, etc.
5. Do not enter the RV in a fire situation! If you cannot safely reach the extinguisher from outside....leave it! There's always the fire dept and the insurance company to rely on.

rockwood06 · 11-27-2007, 09:34 PM

Yes, let it burn it's not worth it. I am sure that the camper material is toxic when fire is applied, I wounder if the manufacture would supply an MSDS sheet if it was requested on all material used? LOL. If the camper was on fire, I would remove the safety chains, pull the hair pin and then the hitch pin however I would leave the emergency brake cable attached to the TV so that when I take off, the emergency brake would stop the camper from moving at any given time before the tongue hits the ground.

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