MagneticScrew

saying there was no WDH is speculation. Theres no evidence to support if theres was a WDH or not. He may have had WDH setup wrong. What evidence we do have is, excessive speed. And from my review of the footage, i never even saw brake lights come on, on the trailer or TV.
The no brake lights is whats confusing to me. Almost like the driver had no idea he was in trouble??? How could that be?
Why would anyone be towing that fast?
65MPH people!! theres no need to go any faster.
If that driver was only going 65mph it would NOT have taken that much longer to arrive at his destination safely. And going faster then 65 he didnt make it safely. All to save 10mins of driving every hour he is on the road? I know whats cooler then saving 10mins of driving, not being dead.

Simnut

I noticed twice where brake were applied by the TV showing on the TT. Once at the 55.18 second mark and the second time I noticed at the 57.03 through to the 58.08 second mark. I saw NO indication of a WDH even in the transition from road to ditch which gives us good view from under the trailer towards the hitch. I would also hope that a WDH would NOT let a trailer at the 1:02.25 mark do what it is doing and not affect the tow vehicle. If so, what's the point of a WDH then?

massspike

The semi driver added a comment to the video:

"Interstate 82 East Bound at the 9 Mile Marker in Washington State. I'm fully loaded at 104,000 lbs with rebar on a set of doubles. Dad and his two kids were ok. Gives you a good idea of how long it takes to slow down a heavy laden truck going 65mph."

fwiw: I understand the truck/trailer speed limit in Washington is 60mph so speed was definitely a factor.

pdxF150

Yeah speed and the setup of the TT/TV are factors. The speed limit though? In Idaho the tow speed limit is the same as passenger vehicles, some parts of Idaho are 80mph.

Over 10,000lbs the tow speed limit is 60mph, under that and it's 70mph in WA. Funny that the trucker posted a video of himself breaking the speed limit haha!

pdxF150

For anyone interested : http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-speed-limits/

MagneticScrew

Im not an advocate of regulations, but having an 80mph speed limit for vehicles with a trailer is insane stupid.
I think A lot of people dont understand physics enough to realize how much more difictul it is to control a trailer at speeds above 60-65mph. And unless the trailer is equipped with with the proper tires, the speed rating is max 65mph. What happens at 70-75mph when a trailer tire blows or blow both on one side. All i can guess is, its big time trouble.

To combat trailer tire blowouts, i recommend the system i use, TIRE MINDER. Its an amazing piece of saftey equipment everyone should have. Basically a Tire Pressure Monitor System for your trailer tires. It will display tire pressure and temperature. It will notify the user of a small slow leak or an instant blowout.
It can save your trailer from damage and most inportantly it can & will SAVE LIVES.

pdxF150

Take a look at the link and then compare it to max speed limit by state. You'll find above 65mph is common. Therefore insane stupid is common, I'm not surprised by this revelation.

acdii

Clear cut case of, just because it can, doesn't mean you should. That driver was doing at the very least 75 MPH when he passed that Semi.

No brains behind the wheel. Inexperienced as well, since no brakes on the trailer were applied. A good sharp hit on the brake controller would have stopped the sway immediately, and swung everything back into alignment.

I wouldn't say too much trailer for the Excursion, its built on the F250 chassis. Most likely a Powerstroke too. It is just a loose nut behind the wheel.

Take it for what it's worth, watch your speed, keep your ego in check, and don't be aggressive when towing.

Then again, I have held a CDL Class A since 1988, so what do I know.

MagneticScrew

👍🏽

MagneticScrew

👍🏽clearly you understand how to tow safely. Its just sad theres many out there who dont get it until its too late.