Trailer snaking accident

[Riggerbear]

I had a snaking experience in a 7.5 ton truck towing a 20m trailer base mewp going down the M23.

Slowly came off the throttle and it stopped, I assume it could happen in any sized vehicle.

[Justme]

I agree. I've never experience snaking on plant trailers. Our accident was a lm166. On a 16ft + trailer it does make getting load dead centre harder as there is so much room.

 

Start weighing you nose weight once loaded at the height your tow ball will be once loaded.

[Justme]

This is why lorries have 5th wheels.

 

The pressure point/loading is in the middle of the tow vehicle so it passes to the front & rear equally.

[richy_B]

Start weighing you nose weight once loaded at the height your tow ball will be once loaded.

 

That only centres it on one axis though unfortunately.

[agg221]

I think the comments on flexing may be very pertinent.

 

I have limited experience, towing a 9'x4'6" plant trailer with a wide wheelbase with a Volvo V70. I have had it very loaded, sometimes with long bits of timber lashed on the top. The only time it has ever snaked was with an 18' box lashed on top. The trailer itself was empty and the box was so light that two people could carry it. The sides were around 2' high and it was 2' wide. Being long and light, it flexed badly. It also took the nose weight down a bit as it was so long. The combination seemed to set it wagging at anything over 30. A rather slow journey home with a lot of back roads and pulling over to let people pass.

 

Alec

[Justme]

That only centres it on one axis though unfortunately.

 

 

Get weight plates for the wheels too then.

[aspenarb]

I had a snaking experience in a 7.5 ton truck towing a 20m trailer base mewp going down the M23.

Slowly came off the throttle and it stopped, I assume it could happen in any sized vehicle.

 

I think you could be forgiven for that one Mr Bear, MEWP`s and things like 20` road tow site huts can be very unstable trailers. I think it still comes down to weight distribution and the need to ballast as necessary, just having a draw bar on kit does not automatically make it fit for towing.

 

Bob

[leswold]

Like others have said, glad you & gf walked away. Otherwise an interesting & informative thread, thanks for sharing Joe.

[H-A]

I have only once had a bad bit of snaking, trailer load of 20mm ballast.

 

I just eased off, and it settled down luckily, then stopped and shovelled some of the ballast forward to put more weight on the tow vehicle.

 

Problem solved towed well after that.

 

Glad you walked away from it, it is a nasty feeling when it happens.

 

H A

[Jonny69]

As quick update:

 

On my travels yesterday along the A14 I spotted a Landcruiser VX/Amazon on its wheels, facing the wrong way with a trailer on it's side, belly facing the opposite carriageway. It must have only just happened as there was only a tiny queue at this point.

 

I couldn't quite tell what the trailer was (As I only had a clear view of the underside) but it had two axles and a galvanised canopy so I assume it was for livestock, at least a 12ft long trailer.

 

So even if you have the right vehicle for the job you can still be in trouble.

 

He/she can't have been going very fast as the trailer was still attached, when I have seen bad towing accidents with trailers before everything is on its side and a couple of times I've seen the trailer come away as well.

 

Stay safe.