Wild Towing Video

[sandman2234]

Sorry to disagree with Renze, and Builder has it right, load it correctly and your ahead of the game.
The factor of increasing speed isn't what your after, you are after a chance to convert the side to side energy into straight line energy, and from my experience, that takes some horsepower to accomplish. Given the overloaded trailer most people would be towing, and the underpowered tow vehicle, there is a good chance your not going to be able to accomplish it anyway. However, slowing the towing vehicle down also doesn't work, it is the trailer that needs to be slowed, which is accomplished by a quick touch of the trailer brakes. In the case of surge brakes that are activated by the shortening of the coupler, your on your own to get that to work. I guess that is why I prefer electric brakes, but if you could have surge brakes on one axle and electric brakes on the other, maybe that would work.
I think Builder has the best answer. Prevention is way better than trying to fix the problem at highway speeds.
David from jax

[Builder]

Originally Posted by firemanpat2910

I agree with builder, get the right size truck, and trailer, load it correctly and test the brakes. Or if not please drive on US hwy 27 in Havana Fla. I havent extracted anybody from under a truck /trailer combo for about a year.

After watching that video, you have to think that if that load wasn't secured to the trailer, innocent people would have died that day.

Was that a police cruiser doing the filming? If it was, why didn't he pull him over?

[ray66v]

Camera appears to be hand held, behind the driver. Unlikely that would happen in a Police car, (camera usually mounted on dash). Police cars have the now standard screen between the back seat and the front seat, (would block the shot). There was certainly some special radio equipment. Perhaps a Volunteer Fireman? Or other Official, hopefully collecting evidence.

[texasjohn]

My experience, obtained from hauling 2-horse trailers, 27 ft cattle trailers, 18 ft flatbed trailers behind various pickups, cars would indicate you should.

Tie the load down completely

drive a realistic speed

no fast swerves for any reason

if a problem does develop, slight/slight+ acceleration while keeping nose forward (avoid over steer)

Yes, applying the trailer brakes ONLY is possible, but not likely..I have to reach down and move a lever... hard to do while wildly counter steering, etc.

Best to just avoid that whole scene by very careful driving... like you are on eggshells... do NOTHING fast, acceleration, stops, swerves, anything...

['Bota Fan]

Originally Posted by Builder

Was that a police cruiser doing the filming? If it was, why didn't he pull him over?

Looks like the inside of a Crown Vic taxi. The driver is a Grade-A nut. His passenger ain't much smarter for worrying about getting it on film instead of his own safety.

[ray66v]

Originally Posted by 'Bota Fan

Looks like the inside of a Crown Vic taxi. The driver is a Grade-A nut. His passenger ain't much smarter for worrying about getting it on film instead of his own safety.

Not wide enough inside for Crown Vic. Plus the right mirror is visible at the beginning, and it appears to be the wrong type for CV. I am thinking a small SUV, or mini van.
I do think you on to something with the Taxi though. Taxi would have a stack like that, and messy dash. And would be crazy enough to drive along side that idiot.

[JHTFarmer]

Originally Posted by Diamondpilot

He got lucky!!!

Chris

Lucky in that it was a UNIMOG he was towing. Amazing vehicle... Low center of gravity. Surely would have flipped with any other truck of that size on that trailer..

[robbieo11]

in loking at the dash are loks like a dodge caravan
However i would have backed right off for a while instead of passing him
amazig vid

another reason my max speed towing is 45mph
period

[JayDavis]

I agree, like with a drunk driver, it is better to be a safe distance behind them than in front. Then you control the distance between you two, not the other way around IMHO.

[Roady]

I had this happen once while hauling my 67 chevelle behind my short wheelbase pickup. It was the most helpless feeling. I managed to pull out of it but I swore to fix the problem before I hauled it again. A couple of mods to my trailer hitch and a anti sway bar and it never happened again. Now, I never tow anything without it. I'm surprised I don't read more about the use of them here on the forums. I don't even see alot of people use them. For those of you that have never towed with one, try it. You will never be without one again.

Roady