Looks like the hitch ripped right outta the bed.

Link to story

 

Driver error from the article...Well that rig looks like it might be totaled.

 

I'd say you're right. I guess in a situation where (for example) a corner is taken too fast or a huge crosswind gust causes the trailer to roll but the heavy, relatively low tow vehicle stays planted, you have to wonder whats going to be the fuse in the system. I have heard of kingpins snapping (never actually seen it) and have seen several photos similar to the situation shown in the video. I would love to have detailed hitch photos to look at. That WAS a very nice trailer.

 

As stated on my other post - new rv, new rv'er, too little experience caused it...

and ANYTIME something goes on it's side I don't want it back....

black tank contents have a tendency to FLOW (YECH !!!)

and judging that the next video presented after this one was another carriage on it's side the moral of the story is don't get a carriage

 

I think I'd rather the hitch rip out or something similar give way rather than the 5er taking my truck with it onto its side, which I've seen before (in internet videos) even with bumper pull trailers.

 

Yeah. Definitely driver error...who makes a "quick" turn with a 5er? That is beyond crazy. Glad to see no one was injured though.

 

This video came up for me after I watched the link

 

Must be up north - where they don't need the A/C....

 

I tried to rep ya but it would not let me

 

Wow, it's pretty impressive how little damage there was to the trailer. The driver had some pretty unbelievable luck with the hitch breaking away from the rest of the truck, that could have ended really badly for him. Out of all the rollover pics I've seen this is the first where the trailer disconnected and didn't take the truck with it!

If he were a commercial driver he would be unemployable after that.

 

Is there a way to cheat the install of a fifth wheel hitch?
For example, I saw an older Dodge several years ago with a homemade gooseneck hitch attached to the bed, for example.
I cringe every time I think about it...
I too would have thought the truck would have remained attached.
I've never used a fifth hitch so I don't have experience with how those are installed.

 

Not sure how the homemade was attached - u said bed which doesn't sound good!! - but we welded up our own gooseneck hitches for years - although we welded to frame - which u cannot do anymore -

But ours were as stout as all the prefab you can get now unless some goofball did the welding. My first store bought GN ball was in my 2001 - only because I heard they didn't think the new frames should be welded on - something About being "hydro formed"?

 

I will add there isn't anything wrong with someone who, like you, knows what they're doing.

It was a square 2'x 2' plate with a ball welded in the middle (estimated size) with bolts in each corner going somewhere.
I can only hope it was connected to the frame but it still looked very questionable from an observation point of view.

 

I pulled a hard turn once in a cloverleaf highway off-ramp with a gooseneck trailer and 2 cars on the back.... Its not a pleasant ride, looking back at it I'm surprised nothing happened - nothing went over and nothing slid off the berm. I've had straps pop off my loads before in hard maneuvers but I never lost anything.

I will throw out there, regarding the custom fabricated hitches - there is a place nearby that does custom hitches. They are extremely strong. I've seen pictures of some of their installs after (unfortunate) accidents that literally pulled the truck apart. It can be done... Then the question becomes do you really want a hitch that is THAT strong? Or something that will break away? In the type of accident that would test that I don't know what the answer is - if the 5th wheel/gooseneck trailer (and the rest of the load) gets loose that can do some serious damage, but if you're in that situation there is already serious damage to begin with so what is the lesser of the two? One piece or two?

 

My opinion, one piece. I would rather the trailer stay connected and behind the truck.
None of the options are good but if the trailer stays behind the truck, others are less likely to be hurt or killed.

Plenty of semi accidents where the tractor flipped with the trailer and remained connected.