Utah State University suffered a tragic loss yesterday (9/26/2005) as their 15P van (looks like a Dodge) blew a left rear tire and rolled several times ejecting the occupants. There were 11souls onboard and 8 were killed.

If you own a 15P or extended version like I do, please please always do the following:
1) Make your passengers buckle up. Most deaths are caused from being ejected from the vehicle. A seat belt is the only thing that can prevent this.
2) Make sure your tires are at full pressure, that's 80 PSI in the rears for Load E tires on the one ton models.
3) Maintain legal speeds, you are carrying the most precious cargo.

Consider modifications to dual wheels. I converted my E-350 and believe this is the only viable solution out there that provides adequate safety and stability. The cost is a little over $2000 and I would be more than willing to point you to places to get the necessary parts. I love my van, but I love my family even more. With the dual wheels, I can love them both. Those 9 additional inches on each side add incredible stability and safety against rollovers caused by tire blew outs or steering maneuvers.

And please say a pray for the families.

 

Extremly sad , that happened this summer to a university here in MN also, they were on there way to MI, 3 lives lost. It seems the big problem is with that many bodies inside the center of gravity is so high and one little over correction all the weight shifts to one side and they go over. I am looking into the dual conversion for my 15p but hav'nt yet because of cost but now after reading this and hearing of another one I don't care what it will cost , it will be done.

 

I'm poor, so dual wheels ain't hapening unless donated to me, SSI doesn't allow me enough to buy many needed things that seem more important. I travel on the interstate visiting family, it's absolutely no wonder the way people drive, even those carrying passengers, if you drive with common sense, you should be fine. I see the real problem is the rear axle is narrow, I've noticed how far mine set in the track, I'd like wide tires making a wider stance, but spacing the rear. I hate my gear ratio, stupid 3.55 is too high for this heavy van, I need a 4.10, I do not want to convert this axle. I'm hoping to find a box ambulance in a salvage yard and work on how to purchase it, they are dually, being a van chassis, it has to fit.

 

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http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...ah-crash_x.htm

The left rear tire apparently blew out as the driver ... tried to pass another vehicle ... Speed was a factor, he said.

All 11 passengers were ejected. The van rolled to the bottom of a 50-foot ravine, ...
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Note: Speed was a factor. If you have a loaded van, speed, and pass other vehicles, and a tire blows, you are history. This is not brain surgery. When driving a vehicle meant to transport a large number of people, take it easy on the go fast pedal.

I do think the DRW is the way to go. I just bought a lifted 4x4 11 pass E-250. Even after I put a DRW on it, slow and easy is the mantra.