(6/22/2015) Fatal Accident Involving a Studebaker (Western Wisconsin)

[DEEPNHOCK]

http://www.startribune.com/passenger-in-51-studebaker-pickup-dies-in-w-wisconsin-crash/309020111/

(snippet copy - see link for entire article)

A 1951 Studebaker pickup truck crashed into a ditch while pulling a camper in western Wisconsin,
leaving an 85-year-old passenger dead and the 74-year-old driver hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

[studegary]

That is a shame. Jerome is listed in my SDC Roster as having at least three Studebakers. The truck is modified, but "...pulling a camper.."?

[70Avanti2]

I am not commenting on the accident above. But using it as a wake up call.

As a professional truck driver pulling 40 tons. My every day fear is that I will get in a situation were I lose control of the truck.

When you are towing. Follow these rules. Tow light. Tow slow. Tow only in good weather. If you have to ask yourself is this safe. The answer is always no.

[TWChamp]

I am not commenting on the accident above. But using it as a wake up call.

As a professional truck driver pulling 40 tons. My every day fear is that I will get in a situation were I lose control of the truck.

When you are towing. Follow these rules. Tow light. Tow slow. Tow only in good weather. If you have to ask yourself is this safe. The answer is always no.

Boy, I sure agree. I would never tow faster than about 55 MPH, and it scares me to be around people towing mobile homes or enclosed car trailers at 70 to 80 MPH. Just 2 months ago a pickup went past us doing about 75 while towing a fairly large mobile home. After a few minutes I told my friend that I could smell burning rubber. It wasn't long before the smell got stronger and soon sparks were flying off the right rear tire of the towed home. We got alongside the pickup to warn the driver what was happening to his home, but he just ignored us and thought we were nuts. Someone must have called the cops, because they soon pulled him over.

[Bob Andrews]

Damn. Didn't read the article, but I wonder what the details are.

It seems that people in general tend to have a laissez-faire attitude towards towing. We have seen it here many times on this forum. One of the biggest mistakes is not having a heavy duty enough vehicle for the load being pulled. It seems crazy, but we actually have/had a member that was towing a car on a trailer with a Sunbeam Tiger! Outrageously and obviously dangerous, yet not only does this person do that, some actually defended him. Insane.

I wonder if this instance was a case of way too big of a trailer for the vehicle, or inexperienced driver, or in adequate brakes or tires, or some combination of these. Tragic.

[Corvanti]

i agree with the above posts regarding trailer safety. but i wonder if the driver might have had a TIA (mini-stroke) or another health problem, given his age. sad!!!

[SScopelli]

We should all be wishing him well with a healthy recovery and condolences to the passenger's family..

[DEEPNHOCK]

(update 6/23)

http://chippewa.com/dunnconnect/news/local/baraboo-woman-killed-in-i--crash-near-menomonie/article_94ccf159-d821-5445-b33a-672a30c15c59.html

No real new info, but the size of the travel trailer can be seen.

[swvalcon]

That's a pretty large trailer to tow with that small of a truck even for a short distance.

[qsanford]

It looks like it is a Spartan Trailer.

[Bob Andrews]

That's a pretty large trailer to tow with that small of a truck even for a short distance.

WAY too big. Exactly what I was talking about.

[8E45E]

The movie with Lucille Ball, 'The Long, Long Trailer' comes to mind looking at that photo of this one on its side.

I recall a few of those mammoth trailers around being towed by cars at one time, not like today where heavy-duty trucks and truck-chassis SUV's which are more suited for the job.

Craig

[Mrs K Corbin]

two words....... Trailer Brakes....

and not enough truck....


Condolences.....

[jackb]

... we sometimes out of defense of our marque get carried away with notions of grandeur: best engine, best truck, fastest car.... all part of the myths that can create trouble down the road.......

[t walgamuth]

It does look like a lot of trailer for the truck. Having enough engine and drive train is not enough. For comfortable towing the tow vehicle needs to be heavier than the trailer by a good bit. I towed for a year or so with a Durango which had plenty of motor but was just too light. I tightened down the anti sway device until the parts of it started bending like a pretzel and still it was not enough. I had to add a second one.

(Spartan trailers are cool!)