Truck Trend article on Towing

[Dave]

I subscribe to Trunk Trend and they had an interesting article on towing.

Most people just hook a trailer up to the back of their SUV or pickup and tow away. Some didn't know that they may need a CDL non-commercial license to tow certain loads. While a Trailvoy may never reach the amount required, it is well within range of the full-size pickups. Here are some interesting things I found.

Toyotas are not allowed to tow anything above 45mph according to the article. This brings up some interesting issues if they have a warranty or insurance claim. The dealer and insurance company doesn't have to pay for any damage if they were driving more than 45mph.

Most real big loads (such as a full size truck carrying a big camper) require the driver to have a CDL license. Without it, the driver is looking at losing a lot of $$$ if caught.

The Trailvoy has around 6 pages in the owners manual devoted to the TB/EN pulling a trailer. One states that loads over 5,000 lbs require a weight distributing hitch. If you are pulling a 6500 lb trailer with a Denali (the max allowed with 3.73 gears), then you have 5000 lbs left for the rest of the vehicle. I believe the Denali weighs around 4700lbs, so that leaves 300lbs left for the cargo/passengers in the Denali. You can't just load up a Denali and tow a 6500lb trailer.

I know most of the accidents that I see on the interstate are non-18 wheelers towing something. It is usually a big SUV or pickup towing a trailer or camper. Two of the accidents I saw required a medivac helicopter to land on the interstate.

The rules vary greatly by state so all you can do is read the owners manual and check the laws where you will be towing.

[Blueblazed]

Toyotas are not allowed to tow anything above 45mph according to the article. This brings up some interesting issues if they have a warranty or insurance claim. The dealer and insurance company doesn't have to pay for any damage if they were driving more than 45mph.


Interesting article, Dave. Any idea why Toyota can't go over 45 MPH? That seems odd to me. On Ca. freeways if you were going 45 MPH you would probably get run over - literally! I know we are not allowed to drive more than 55 MPH on any freeway if you are towing ANYTHING, but I see people all the time in the fast lane, towing a trailer or other vehicle going 75-85 MPH.
Like you, I've seen them spin out and roll over. It's really NOT a pretty thing to see!

[Spong]

Toyotas are not allowed to tow anything above 45mph according to the article.

That is too funny :rotfl:

I'm waiting for the first story about "Honda Ridgeline rolls from towing jet ski trailer" :D

[jproell2]

I am still waiting to see a Ridgeline tow anything. I have only seen 3 around here and they have all been older drivers.

[dusterrm1]

I read with interest the article on towing... with that I give this:
Web site www.dangeroustrailers.com

What happens when a MANUFACTURED product is
produced in violation of FMVSS108. These utility trailers more often have non-working tailights
and the gate blocks the working tailights on the car or truck pulling it. HOW CAN IT BE YOUR FALUT IF YOU CAN’T SEE THE LIGHTS. In addition they also come unhiched and kill over 400 people a year. Why does the Federal Government and the Inusrance industry ignore this problem? Why paint the trailer black????? How can you see it if the lights do not work. In my state we are the only state to require REFLECTOR TAPE ON THE BACK BUT THE INDUSTRY TRIED TO KILL MY LAW.

Dear Political Leaders and our Government:

Do you still think we do not have a problem here???

What is it going to take for you to make a difference??????
http://www.click2houston.com/news/10291211/detail.html
Go to this link and click the video….. Our House of Delegates
including Delegate
Pollard think that voting 98-to zero to kill my law will do the trick.

IF A JET ENGINE FELL OUT OF THE SKY ONCE A DAY WOULD THE GOVERNMENT
DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT??
Then why do we accept this types of problems??? It happens at least
once a day in this country.

Ron J. Melancon

Please go to my web site www.dangeroustrailers.com. For more on this problem.

Please see my video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN_FZGSHukE

Help!! We have a problem here and I want to make a difference
Dear Concerned:

Please take a moment to view my video tape. You may open using any media player.
Web site www.dangeroustrailers.com
As you view the video please ask yourselves these questions.

If a JET ENGINE FELL OFF A PLANE AND KILLED PEOPLE ONCE A DAY WHAT WOULD THE GOVERNMENT DO? Then why
does these utility tralers keep comming unhiched?
Why are they painted black?
Why are they made so poorly that the lights do not work?
Why don’t they get inspected.
Why do we allow at least a failure rate of 50 percent?
Why does the industry choose to fight my law that requires the customer to spend
20 dollars to make a BLACK TRAILER VISIABLE AT DUSK AND NIGHT.
Why do they come unhiched and kill over 400 people a year?
Why don’t we require a class to learn how to tow before a person can buy one?
Why are companies in Virginia stll selling these trailers to the consumer in violation of state law?
I could keep going on and on.
Why?… (more) (less)

This is a class action lawsuit just waiting to be filed.

Ten Thousand Dollar Reward
Last Update: 12/17/2006 5:35:47 PM

Lawrence Township



A Northern Tier family says people are coming forward with new information on a deadly hit and run that killed Rhonda Fromm of Lawrence Township.



In October, Fromm was driving along Route 287 in Tioga Township with her husband. State Police say a trailer unhitched from a dark colored pick-up truck. It struck Fromm’s car, flipping it upside down and sending into a guardrail. The lose trailer skidded to a stop, but the driver drove off. Rhonda Fromm died at the scene. Her husband survived with injuries.



Last week the Fromm family pooled together eight thousand dollars of their own money, adding to a two thousand dollar reward. They’re hoping that ten thousand dollars will help them find the driver. Since they increased the reward, the family says people have been calling with tips. All of that information is being turned over to Pennsylvania State Police.



Rhonda’s fourteen year old son, Leon Rockwell said, “This guy needs to get caught. He crushed my family. He murdered my mom.”



This Christmas will be the first time Rhonda’s three kids won’t have their mother there.

Chipper's driver expresses anguish over fatal wood chipper accident
Attorney says client's driving didn't cause fatal Rt. 8 accident

Friday, April 28, 2006
By Jonathan D. Silver, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The driver of a dump truck whose detached wood chipper struck a minivan and killed three people is distraught over the accident but was not driving in such a way as to cause the trailer to separate, his attorney said yesterday.

Michael Moser, who represents Bradley Demitras, 34, of Pine, said his client thinks daily about victims Spencer Morrison, 37, of Cranberry, and his 4-year-old triplet children.

Two of the children -- Alaina and Garret -- died April 13 at the scene on Route 8 in Richland; the third child, Ethan, remains in critical but stable condition at Children's Hospital.

"It's his assertion he was not driving at all in a careless or reckless manner," Mr. Moser said. "I don't believe that the way he was driving was the cause of the separation of the chipper."

Investigators with the Northern Regional Police Department have remained mum on what caused the 5,000-pound industrial wood chipper to detach from the northbound dump truck. It crossed the center line and struck the southbound minivan on the driver's side.

Mr. Moser declined to say how many times his client had spoken to investigators, what he told police about how the chipper was hooked up, or who connected it to the dump truck.

"It may very well be that nobody remembers how this thing was hooked up," Mr. Moser said.

Steven Townsend, an attorney for O'Connor Tree Service, the company for which Mr. Demitras was driving, has said the chipper came with the requisite safety features. Mr. Townsend said he did not know how the truck and chipper were attached.

Police have executed a search warrant to determine whether Mr. Demitras was speaking on a cell phone at the time of the accident. Mr. Moser declined comment on that aspect of the investigation.

Another search warrant sought prescription information and medical records for Mr. Demitras, who told investigators he took the prescription painkiller Percocet in the morning and at noon on the day of the 5 p.m.crash.

Mr. Moser said he was awaiting toxicology information on his client. He declined to discuss why Mr. Demitras might have needed a painkiller.

Mr. Moser described the crash as a "perfect storm" of timing -- had Mr. Demitras or Mr. Morrison been a second earlier or later, the outcome could have been drastically different, he said.

"Mr. Demitras is a hard-working guy. He woke up, went to work in the morning and was on his way home, and this perfect storm of awful circumstances came together. And his life, and especially that of the Morrison family, is changed forever. He's distraught and he's sick and upset over what happened," Mr. Moser said.

Mr. Moser was careful to emphasize that Mr. Demitras is not seeking pity and is not equating his situation with the anguish felt by the Morrison family.

"He's a good guy. He's steered clear of the media because he wants to show respect to the family, and if he were to say anything to the family, it would be he extends his sincere sympathies and they're in his thoughts and prayers," Mr. Moser said. "A day doesn't go by, an hour doesn't go by, that he doesn't think about this."

Mr. Moser said he is unaware of his client being involved in any other traffic accidents.

Mr. Demitras, who is single and does not have children, has not returned to work at O'Connor Tree Service but is otherwise employed. Mr. Moser said he did not have information about the type of work Mr. Demitras is currently doing.

"He's just trying to hold it together day to day," Mr. Moser said.

In the course of the accident investigation, authorities have determined that the wood chipper was stolen in 1998 from Knickerbocker Russell Co. Inc. in Robinson, according to Bill Philipp, the company's comptroller.

The chipper, which does not have a title, was matched by serial number, Mr. Philipp said. The company had not determined whether the chipper was taken from its premises or a job site, Mr. Philipp added. He declined to say whether a police report had been filed at the time.

"They all come with chains and lights and all the other stuff," Mr. Philipp said. "The older ones did not have brakes, the newer ones do."

It could not be determined how O'Connor Tree Service acquired the chipper. Company officials or their attorney could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Philipp said he did not know if the wood chipper involved in the accident had a brake. He estimated it was eight to 10 years ol

[dusterrm1]

Do you agree we have a problem here???

Macon man killed in wreck on Riverside Drive
By Tim Sturrock
TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER
Police investigate a fatal accident Tuesday afternoon on Riverside Drive in Macon.
Dylan Wilson, The Telegraph
Police investigate a fatal accident Tuesday afternoon on Riverside Drive in Macon.

A 36-year-old Macon man died instantly when a trailer detached from a Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation Department truck Tuesday afternoon and crashed into the man's sport utility vehicle on Riverside Drive, authorities said.

Carlos Dorn, 36, was traveling north on Riverside Drive about 1 p.m. as a city truck, driven by 50-year-old Hugh Edwards, was traveling southbound, police said. A trailer carrying a lawn mower detached from Edwards' truck, veered into the northbound lanes and struck Dorn's GMC Jimmy, police said.

The accident closed Riverside Drive near the Riverside Ford dealership for more than two hours and more than a dozen vehicles from various agencies responded.

Macon Chief Administrative Officer Regina McDuffie and Parks and Recreation director Mike Anthony were at the scene. Both declined to comment.

In a news release, Mayor Jack Ellis expressed his condolences to Dorn's family on behalf of the city.

"This incident will be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible will be held accountable," the release stated. Macon police spokeswoman Sgt. Melanie Hofmann said it's not unusual for Macon police to investigate accidents involving city employees or city vehicles.

Macon Human Resources Director Ben Hubbard said he did not have available information about how long Edwards has worked for the city. Edwards could not be reached for comment.

Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones, who has known Dorn for more than 15 years, said he saw Dorn about 10 minutes before the crash at an intersection.

Shortly after the wreck, Jones said that telling Dorn's family of his death would be that much harder because he knew Dorn.

"When you know someone personally, that's when it gets really hard," Jones said.

Dorn was estranged from his wife and had children, Jones said.

Jones said Dorn had been in the military and worked as a mechanic.

"He liked to work on hot rods," Jones said. "He was really really good at it. He was a talented individual. He could build anything."

When will your magazine and industry address this problem. We all know the lights do not always work and the trailers come unhiched way to often. When will the industry make a difference and stop the carnage??

This is murder.

Family of woman killed in crash offers reward for information
Published 07/16/2006
By WALTER LITTRELL -Kingsport Times-News

The family of a Lee County woman killed in a freak accident last month when a trailer came loose from a truck and the truck kept going is offering a $10,000 reward for information. Times-News file photo.
-------------

JONESVILLE - The family of a Woodway woman killed in a freak accident last month is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver of a pickup truck that lost the trailer that claimed her life.

Linda Sue Hyden, 49, Route 2, Box 215, Pennington Gap, died at the scene of a June 8 crash when a utility trailer came loose from its tow vehicle and slammed into her Toyota Camry. She was traveling south on Route 421 just south of Elk Knob Elementary School about 5 p.m. when the crash occurred.

Witnesses reported that the driver of a truck believed to be the tow vehicle stopped briefly a bit down the road then hurriedly left the scene without checking on Hyden. The suspect vehicle, believed to be a blue and white 1980s or 1990s style General Motors pickup truck, left the area traveling north on Route 421.

The trailer - a red, 20-foot, dual-axle, bumper-pull type with a tailgate ramp - did not have a license plate, a vehicle identification number or any other markings that would allow authorities to quickly identify the owner.

Sgt. Shawn Givens of the Virginia State Police said Friday investigators have several persons of interest in the case, and none have been eliminated. They most likely won't be eliminated until forensic evidence is back from the state laboratory in Roanoke. Givens said the evidence includes fingerprints and other items he declined to identify.

Because evidence normally takes some time to come back from the lab, he said the VSP is appealing to the public for any information that could help speed up the solving of the case.

"We are looking for any information anyone can provide because we do need help with this case," said Givens.

Trooper Clint Martin has been assigned to investigate the case, said Givens, but he is being assisted by all law enforcement in Lee County including the VSP, the Lee County Sheriff's Department and the Pennington Gap Police Department.

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact the VSP at 1-800-542-8716 or (276)228-3131. The LCSD and the PGPD can be reached by calling (276)346-7777.

[Spong]

Oh boy :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I've owned several black trailers. I've read the stories you posted and all of them seem to be the result of the OWNER. Blaming the trailer is like blaming the gun, w/o PEOPLE those objects don't hurt people.

Whenever I buy a new trailer I always add reflective tape to the rear and I often also ADD lights. Common sense says a black trailer is hard to see which is why I add these items. Also if the owners is using safety chains then the trailer shouldn't be able to come loose.

Here's the rear of my trailer

http://images7.fotki.com/v144/photos/4/41590/1778479/IM003160-vi.jpg

[ATV PRO]

Just for you boys that were interested what the Federal laws were on CDL's:

Class A: Any vehicle that is towing a trailer with a weight of 10,000 lbs. and greater. Even if you are towing it with a honda civic (theoretically), if you were you would have bigger problems, you would need a class A cdl.

Class B: Any vehicle with a GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs and a trailer with the GVWR less than 10,000 lbs.

Class C: Anything with a GVWR less than 26,000 lbs. and a trailer with a GVWR less than 10,000 lbs.

Obviously any edorsement requires you to answer a 5 question written test.

I just had to renew my class A on DEC 11. The state of CT started the process of retesting all cdl holders every 5 years just a few months ago because the state has had some pretty nasty accidents with trucks. The DMV instructor told us thats why Ford use to advertise, they still might, that the 350 can tow up to 9,900 lbs. Its under a cdl.

[ScarabEpic22]

Interesting thread, my boat trailers are completely white (Scarab) and completely black (Epic) and both have a lot of lights on the back that I check every time before I tow it out of my driveway that all the lights are working. I havent had a need to add any lights are there are about 7 (2 big, 2 medium, and 3 in the 3-bar on the bottom) on my Epic trailer and 5 (everything but the medium ones) on my Scarab trailer.

That is interesting about the CDLs, fortunately I am pretty sure I dont weigh over any of those classes as my TB weighs ~4800lbs (GVWR 5750) and my Epic (heavier) trailer weighs ~4100lbs with the boat and gas.

[fireman2828]

[QUOTE=dusterrm1;239455]I read with interest the article on towing... with that I give this:
Web site www.dangeroustrailers.com

:undecided I was wondering about the safety of taking pictures while driving down the road. That looks more dangerouse than some of the trailers shown. That and too dim of headlights to see anything at night.:worried:
It might be me, but I don't see a problem with location of lights on some of those trailers as long as they work. When you see tail lights, that doesn't say that that's the rear most of the vehicle and I can tailgate.
If the lights were on the rear of the trailers then they would be a good chance they would get busted out everytime you loaded the trailer, giving someone a chance to take pictures while their driving.
As long as people strap down loads properly and pull them properly, then they can be safe.:)

[MrBigStuff]

I see it too many times. People who have trailers and don't maintain them. They have a utility trailer that gets used maybe once a year that is parked in the yard. When they want to haul something home from HomeDepot, they hook it up and off they go. No tire pressure check, no bearing maintenance, no lighting checks, no spare tire etc.

Trailers are always there, ready to serve you. They do not degrade over time if they are not used. They are fully capable of being towed at any speed the owner and tow vehicle are comfortable with. The worst thing that could happen is you might be inconvenienced if there is a problem. :crazy:

[Blazernut]

Oh boy :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I've owned several black trailers. I've read the stories you posted and all of them seem to be the result of the OWNER. Blaming the trailer is like blaming the gun, w/o PEOPLE those objects don't hurt people.

Whenever I buy a new trailer I always add reflective tape to the rear and I often also ADD lights. Common sense says a black trailer is hard to see which is why I add these items. Also if the owners is using safety chains then the trailer shouldn't be able to come loose.

Here's the rear of my trailer

http://images7.fotki.com/v144/photos/4/41590/1778479/IM003160-vi.jpg



Wow Nice trailer! Well marked and beautifully ..... now wait ..... I think I see ... maybe .... is that a spec of dirt by the fender?:eek:

And I agree ... if they don't know how to use a trailer safely they should take that away from them too! Both will kill in the hands of a no-mind.


B. :D

[all ferris]

:undecided Wow!! I think someone is trying to be the trailer police??? I checked out the dangerous trailer website and I think the guy who made it has way too much time on his hands. JMHO. I pull a trailer everyday but I make sure everything is in proper working order b4 I leave but sometimes stuff breaks and lights go out. I see lights out on cars too, so why not drive around and take pics of that???

Just to let you know how much I pull a trailer around I give you a list of stuff that has broken:
I wore a hole through the top of the coupler. How am I supposed to know that would happen?

I've had suspension leaf spings snap like a twig from hitting a bad bump in a construction zone.

Numerous flat tires. I'm not sure why but it seems that trailer tires are more prone to flats. Btw- I go through a new set of tires on a trailer in less than a year.

Trailer brakes just decide to quit working in the middle of the day. This is bad when you are pulling a 7 ton trailer.

My point is that things break and it's not always predictable. It's just like any other vehicle on the road.

[Blazernut]

:undecided Wow!! I think someone is trying to be the trailer police??? I checked out the dangerous trailer website and I think the guy who made it has way too much time on his hands. JMHO. I pull a trailer everyday but I make sure everything is in proper working order b4 I leave but sometimes stuff breaks and lights go out. I see lights out on cars too, so why not drive around and take pics of that???

Just to let you know how much I pull a trailer around I give you a list of stuff that has broken:
I wore a hole through the top of the coupler. How am I supposed to know that would happen?

I've had suspension leaf spings snap like a twig from hitting a bad bump in a construction zone.

Numerous flat tires. I'm not sure why but it seems that trailer tires are more prone to flats. Btw- I go through a new set of tires on a trailer in less than a year.

Trailer brakes just decide to quit working in the middle of the day. This is bad when you are pulling a 7 ton trailer.

My point is that things break and it's not always predictable. It's just like any other vehicle on the road.

You are absoloutly right!

The guys that are the PITA are the ones that knowingly keep driving something that is broken.

They say that they were just taking a short trip or they were planning on replacing those tires real soon. Chit happens but the people that do not show "due dilligence" are the one's that should get slapped silly with fines.

All responsible trailer owners are usually not the problem.

When you look at Spong's trailer you get the feeling that it is well maintained. Then there are trailers that I see on the road that I just have to get away from. Usually has a matching vehicle towing it and I wonder how either is still moving. :crazy:

B.

[gmcman]

Oh boy :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I've owned several black trailers. I've read the stories you posted and all of them seem to be the result of the OWNER. Blaming the trailer is like blaming the gun, w/o PEOPLE those objects don't hurt people.

Whenever I buy a new trailer I always add reflective tape to the rear and I often also ADD lights. Common sense says a black trailer is hard to see which is why I add these items. Also if the owners is using safety chains then the trailer shouldn't be able to come loose.

Here's the rear of my trailer

http://images7.fotki.com/v144/photos/4/41590/1778479/IM003160-vi.jpg


Let me guess the order of protocol for your trailer......wash, dry, clay, wash, dry, polish, glaze, wax, detail spray,:D

Sorry man...just too shiny:thumbsup:

[Doc Brown]

I subscribe to Trunk Trend and they had an interesting article on towing.

Most people just hook a trailer up to the back of their SUV or pickup and tow away.

<snip>

The Trailvoy has around 6 pages in the owners manual devoted to the TB/EN pulling a trailer. One states that loads over 5,000 lbs require a weight distributing hitch. If you are pulling a 6500 lb trailer with a Denali (the max allowed with 3.73 gears), then you have 5000 lbs left for the rest of the vehicle. I believe the Denali weighs around 4700lbs, so that leaves 300lbs left for the cargo/passengers in the Denali. You can't just load up a Denali and tow a 6500lb trailer.


5k? That seems awful liberal. I only tow a 17', 3500lb travel trailer. If I didn't use a WD hitch, I'd have no control over the wheels. The suspension on a Trailvoy is soft. It doesn't take much tongue wieght to drop the rear end to an unsafe level. Anyway, safe towing is all about research. I've towed my trailer cross country twice. I can't tell you how many morons there are out there that don't have a clue what safety means.

dusterrm1, I sympathize to a point. But like Spong said, you can't blame manufacturers for the stupidity of the people that are towing the trailers. I have to say that you might make a stronger case by posting less detail and getting more to the point. Same with your web site. A good clean design and a few short, hard hitting articles will have more impact than a lot of links that open new windows with long drawn out stories. You might also post some links to sites that have pages about how to tow safely. Education is the key here. Poorly working lights are more often bad grounds on the vehicle than any other cause. Trailers falling off of hitches are not the manufactuers issue, but the responsiblity of the owner to learn how to tow properly. Usually it caused by being cheap and not using the right size ball. More tire failures are caused by improper inflation than any other.

And PLEASE, don't take photos while driving!

[Spong]

Let me guess the order of protocol for your trailer......wash, dry, clay, wash, dry, polish, glaze, wax, detail spray,:D

Sorry man...just too shiny:thumbsup:


LOL Pretty close :rotfl:

[Blueblazed]

Speaking of towing, here is a really bad example of someone who was obviously careless about his equiment.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/12/29/news/sandiego/16_48_1012_28_06.txt

This not only killed an innocent man, but made life miserable for the rest of us sitting in traffic for 2 hours to go 15 miles.

[newby]

while you are at it, just making towing illegal all together. just mandate that all hitches must be installed by the fed. gov. and that in order to get one installed you gotta have a v-chip installed in your butt and pass a cdl class A exam with haz mat and passenger endorsements. ah but wait... truckers wreck and pull crap loads all the time too! wth i'll just sit at home on my couch naked eating fruity pebbles all day and wait for the world to end. i'll be safe there.

on a lighter note, my favorite I see all the time is 2000 lbs of vinyl siding (or scaffolding) loaded on the top of a 1/2 ton panel van, strapped down with a 200lbs ratchet strap, being driven by an illegal Brazilian subcontractor dude hopped up on meth. (not an exaggeration, I use to work for a major building supply distributor. the vans are so over loaded you can push on roof and the body will shift, p-a-u-s-e, then roll back towards you.) this = cant stop, cant turn, cant pay!

point is this is a free country and chit happens. being aware of your surroundings and anticipating the actions of those around you are always going to be the best way to avoid tragedies. ask anyone who has driven a motorcycle for longer then a day about the style of driving and mindset required to stay alive and that is the level that everyone should have all the time.

[Spong]

newby for President!!! :yes:

[wht95ext]

a cdl lisence applies to people driving for hire not to RV's this is why you can drive a class a motor home with air brakes with a c lisence. and you CAN tow a travel traler over 10,000lbs (with properly equiped truck!). and grandma with no expereance can opperate them both!! but for instace if you opperate a 3/4 ton truck with equipment for work (ie a skid loader) and it is under 10,000 lbs you may not need a cdl but you do need a health card just as a cdl driver dose and also dot numbers on truck and company name ect. if use for business.or it will cost you BIG $$$ trust me. know i think that is f ed up!:duh: