ukcarnut44
Jul 4, 2011, 08:15 AM
I had an accident recently on I-75 just south of Piqua Ohio. I own a 4 wheel drive 2007 2500HD Silverado 4 x 4 DuramaxDdiesel Pick Up with a dealer installed 5th wheel assembly. I tow a 2008 Montana Mountaineer 5th wheel RV. My wife and I have towed this combination many thousands of miles throughout the US and Canada. The rig is very stable and is not even affected abnormally by side winds. When I had the accident my cruise was set at 65mph and I had pulled out to pass a much slower car in the inside lane. I have many years experience towing vehicles tractor trailers and operating heavy equipment. I drive with my business about 50-60,000 miles a year.
As I passed the slower car the unit began to sway a little which was uncharacteristic. I determined to pull into an upcoming rest area to see if there was an issue. As I touched the brakes to release the cruise control the whole unit began to veer to the left. Fearing that if I touched the brakes again we would jack knife of worse still roll I determined to stay of the brakes and try to control the unit. There was a car outside of me and I was afraid we would take her with us. I was not able to control the rig completely we entered the center medium and hit a line of posts and containment wires. We continued to travel about 200 yards until the rig came to a stop. In the process it tore of the drives side front wheel and badly damaged the drivers side of the truck and the 5 th wheel.
I was cited for failure to control the vehicle. I tried to explain to the office what happened but he would not listen. His response was there are no skid marks. I tried to explain why, he then proceeded to asked me if this was my first trip, after I had explained the circumstances. He then proceeded to tell me I should not be towing a trailer this size with that Pick up it was unsafe. I tried to explain to him that this was a very common vehicle for people who tow this size and much bigger RVs and 5th wheels. He already had the ticket written before I got into the cruiser with him. When I told him I was going to fight it, he tore up his original report and wrote out a different report. I do not know what was on the original report.
I do intend to fight it, what are the chances of winning and what are the consequences. I realize my chances are slim but I have to try, I believe I am being railroaded for an unavoidable accident.
As I passed the slower car the unit began to sway a little which was uncharacteristic. I determined to pull into an upcoming rest area to see if there was an issue. As I touched the brakes to release the cruise control the whole unit began to veer to the left. Fearing that if I touched the brakes again we would jack knife of worse still roll I determined to stay of the brakes and try to control the unit. There was a car outside of me and I was afraid we would take her with us. I was not able to control the rig completely we entered the center medium and hit a line of posts and containment wires. We continued to travel about 200 yards until the rig came to a stop. In the process it tore of the drives side front wheel and badly damaged the drivers side of the truck and the 5 th wheel.
I was cited for failure to control the vehicle. I tried to explain to the office what happened but he would not listen. His response was there are no skid marks. I tried to explain why, he then proceeded to asked me if this was my first trip, after I had explained the circumstances. He then proceeded to tell me I should not be towing a trailer this size with that Pick up it was unsafe. I tried to explain to him that this was a very common vehicle for people who tow this size and much bigger RVs and 5th wheels. He already had the ticket written before I got into the cruiser with him. When I told him I was going to fight it, he tore up his original report and wrote out a different report. I do not know what was on the original report.
I do intend to fight it, what are the chances of winning and what are the consequences. I realize my chances are slim but I have to try, I believe I am being railroaded for an unavoidable accident.