Wednesday, July 29, 2009




Please Note:

No inspections on these types of trailers.
Very Little maintenance is given to these types of trailers.
These Trailers are EXPOSED 24/7 to the elements.3

Why did the wheel come flying off? Was the manufacturer at fault? Was the owner of the trailer at fault for not maintaining the trailer?

Who sold him the trailer?
Please go here to view an example.

http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/Why_Wheels_Come_Loose.html

Motorcyclist dies in I-275 crash


BY MATT HELMS • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 27, 2009

A 53-year-old man was killed in a crash Sunday night after his motorcycle hit a tire that came loose from a nearby trailer in Romulus, police said.

The motorcyclist was riding in the center northbound lane of I-275 approaching the Huron River Drive overpass when the left wheel of a trailer hauled by a pickup came off and struck the bike, according to Romulus Police.

The rider lost control, hit a wall and went over the overpass, hitting a cement embankment, police said this morning.

Police were not releasing the identity of the motorcyclist pending notification of relatives.

Alcohol was not believed to have been a factor, police said.

Police said they were continuing to investigate the crash, and additional information wasn’t immediately available.

Contact MATT HELMS: driving@freepress.com.

Edited by Michele Siuda Jacques.

Monday, July 27, 2009

A Fort Lauderdale man has been charged with grand theft


Kevin O'Neal (MCSO / July 24, 2009)

Note: When the police enforce the law... it's no telling what they will find.

Fort Lauderdale man accused of stealing boat, trailer


Boat on Route 2 disrupts morning traffic


Published: Jul 19, 2009 12:00 am

Rumford police Cpl. Doug Maifeld photo

Police and firefighters found this 170 Citation Bowrider boat sitting in the westbound travel lane at the intersection of Franklin and Bridge streets on Route 2 in Rumford at 9:45 a.m. Saturday. Cpl. Doug Maifeld said the boat, which is owned by Dominique White of Auburn, slid off a trailer. Maifeld, officer Donald Miller, right, and firefighter Louis Giroux directed one-way traffic around the obstacle while Selectman Brad Adley and firefighters helped put the boat back on the trailer. The boat sustained minor damage, Maifeld said.

Rock County Truck Crash Kills One.. Loose Trailer

Rock County Truck Crash Kills One


The Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating a truck vs. truck crash that resulted in fatal injuries to 75 year-old Frank C. McIntyre of Beloit. The truck accident occured at approximately 4:00 p.m. on February 24, 2009, on State Highway 11, near South Potter Road in Spring Valley Township.

Preliminary investigations showed that a heavy duty Chevrolet bucket truck, being driven by 29 year-old Austin R. Hauser, of Orfordville, was pulling a trailer loaded with a Bobcat, when the trailer began to sway. Eventually, the trailer broke free from Hauser's truck, crossing the center line of West State Highway 11 and into the path of McIntyre's vehicle.

Based upon early reports, it appears that Hauser failed to maintain control of the trailer he was hauling. It is still unknown whether speed and/or faulty equipment played a role in the crash.

Orfordville Fire and Rescue were able to remove McIntyre from his truck that had come to rest on the south ditchline of West State Highway 11. McIntyre was immediately transported to Mercy Hospital in Janesville, where he was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m.

Our thoughts are with McIntyre's family for this tragic crash.







Click Play To View Video This Video is just an example of what might have happened.




Meaghen Nay competing in Rome.
Photo: Getty Images

Michael Cowley in Rome
July 27, 2009

THE Australian swimmer Meagen Nay is no stranger to tragedy. Her father, the Olympian Robert Nay, died in a car accident when she was four years old.

And on Saturday, just as she was about to begin racing at the world championships in Rome, she learnt that her brother, Amos, 28, had been killed in a car accident on the Gold Coast.

Remarkably, the 20-year-old decided to swim in her first event at the championships.

Nay was told of her brother's death by her coach, Michael Bohl, but decided to swim in the 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay, for the sake of her teammates. News had been relayed earlier in the day by Nay's stepfather, Peter Milburn, that Amos had died in a car accident on Saturday morning.

Nay's father Robbie, who as a 15-year-old, swam at the 1972 Munich Olympics, was killed, aged 37, in a car accident just north of the Gold Coast, at Labrador, in November 1992.

Stephanie Rice, Nay's training partner in Bohl's St Peters Western squad, spoke after her heat swim in the 200m individual medley, saying her friend had been devastated. "She's pretty good. Obviously she's extremely heartbroken, but I think it's so great she's got Bohly and the rest of our squad and the Australian team supporting her, and her family is here with her, which is probably the best thing, and I just hope they can get through this as best as they can."

Queensland police reported Amos Nay's vehicle, a Toyota Hilux utility towing a trailer, had been travelling north along the Pacific Motorway at Chinderah, near Dodds Lane, when it left the road and hit a sign post about 10.20am.

It rolled and the driver had died on impact. Police said it was unclear what caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

Nay's mother Karen, Mr Milburn, and Meagen's sisters Jess and Fiona, are all in Rome to watch her compete.

The Australian head coach, Alan Thompson, broke the news of the accident to the team on Saturday night.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with Meagen during this difficult time," he said in a statement issued by Swimming Australia.

"We ask that everyone respects her privacy and that of her family at this time."

Nay made the breakthrough into international swimming last year when she qualified for the Beijing Olympics in the 200m backstroke event, eventually finishing seventh in the final.

She has a busy program in Rome. As well as competing in the heats of the 4 x 100m freestyle relay, she is scheduled to swim the 200m freestyle tomorrow, the 200m backstroke on Friday, and the 4 x 200m freestyle relay on Thursday.

When she won the 200m freestyle at the Australian titles in March, Nay spoke to the Herald about the significance of winning the event her father had contested in Germany.

"Yeah, I think it was really special winning that event," she said at the time. "I kind of inherited good genes in the 200m freestyle I think. Apart from making the team and things like that, it meant a real lot to me as a person. The significance of it wasn't lost on me, and it was quite a very special moment."

According to Bohl, her preparation for the titles has been perfect, and big things had been expected.

As to whether she competes beyond the opening day is yet to be determined, and she will "play it day by day".

"It is just unbelievable. Everyone is absolutely devastated," the team spokesman, Ian Hanson, said. "She is going to swim this morning in the heats of the relay today … she is swimming for the team.

"The message from Meagen to Bohly, to the team, was she does not want a fuss. She just wants to try and get through today. At this stage who knows what is going to happen after today."


Sunday, July 26, 2009

SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA... Loose Trailer

SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA



SPECIAL TERM, 2003

_________________________



1020995

_________________________



Michael Raymond Watts



v.



Sentry Insurance, a Mutual Company



Appeal from Jefferson Circuit Court

(CV-02-2971)



HOUSTON, Justice.



This is an appeal from a summary judgment entered in favor of Sentry Insurance, a Mutual Company ("Sentry"), in an action brought by Michael Raymond Watts against Sentry and numerous other defendants. On July 15, 2003, the trial court made its summary judgment for Sentry final pursuant to Rule 54(b), Ala. R. Civ. P. Watts appealed. We reverse and remand.

Watts was driving a motor vehicle owned by his employer, Johnson Controls, Inc., when the vehicle was struck by a utility trailer that had come loose from a vehicle driven by William J. Rupe and owned by Rupe's employer, Dwight's Lawn & Garden Equipment, Inc., d/b/a A & D Distributors; the utility trailer was owned by Dwight's Lawn & Garden Equipment, Inc. The accident occurred while Watts was acting within the line and scope of his employment. Watts fractured his right tibia and injured his left knee, shoulders, and back in the accident. Watts received from his employer, Johnson Controls, workers' compensation benefits and expenses for medical and surgical treatment pursuant to Ala. Code 1975, § 25-5-77.

Watts sued Rupe and others, including Sentry (but not Johnson Controls), to recover compensatory damages and punitive damages as a result of the accident. In count III of the complaint, which is the only count relevant in this appeal, Watts alleged that he was insured by, or was the beneficiary of, policies of motor-vehicle insurance issued by Sentry, pursuant to which Sentry was to provide Watts protection against bodily injury caused by an uninsured/underinsured-motorist in consideration of a premium paid to Sentry by Watts's employer, Johnson Controls. Watts alleged that the injuries and damage he suffered were proximately caused by the negligent or wanton conduct of Rupe, an underinsured motorist, and that Sentry had failed to pay Watts benefits under the policy.

Sentry moved for a summary judgment, alleging that Watts was an employee of Johnson Controls; that Watts was operating a vehicle owned by Johnson Controls within the line and scope of his employment at the time of the accident; that Watts was injured as a result of that accident; that Watts and Johnson Controls were subject to the provisions of the Alabama Workers' Compensation Act; that Watts had made a claim for and received workers' compensation benefits from Johnson Controls; that Sentry is the underinsured-motorist carrier for Johnson Controls, but not its workers' compensation carrier; and that Watts sued Sentry (Johnson Controls' underinsured-motorist carrier) seeking underinsured-motorist benefits after he had filed a workers' compensation claim to recover benefits from Johnson Controls' workers' compensation carrier.

Section 25-5-53, Ala. Code 1975, provides:

"[I]mmunity from civil liability [for injury to or death of the employer's employee] ... shall ... extend to the workers' compensation insurance carrier of the employer; to a person, firm, association, trust, fund, or corporation responsible for servicing and payment of workers' compensation claims for the employer; to an officer, director, agent, or employee of the carrier, person, firm, association, trust, fund, or corporation; to a labor union, an official, or representative thereof; to a governmental agency providing occupational safety and health services, or an employee of the agency; and to an officer, director, agent, or employee of the same employer, or his or her personal representative."



The issue this case presents is whether an employee who is receiving workers' compensation benefits from his employer for injuries he sustained in a motor-vehicle accident that occurred while the employee was driving a vehicle belonging to the employer can recover underinsured-motorist benefits from the employer's automobile liability insurer (which is not the employer's workers' compensation insurer), if the employee's injuries were proximately caused by the negligence or wantonness of an underinsured driver, who was not a co-employee?

The answer to that question is yes, subject to the employer's right to reimbursement for the compensation paid on account of the employee's injury to the extent of the employee's recovery of damages against the third-party tortfeasor. Ala. Code 1975, § 32-7-23 and § 25-5-11.

The Alabama Workers' Compensation Act, Ala. Code 1975, § 25-5-1 et seq., specifically provides that an injured employee who is receiving workers' compensation benefits can file an action against a third party (except for certain third parties not relevant here), whose negligence or wantonness proximately caused the injuries for which the employee is receiving workers' compensation benefits. § 25-5-11. Rupe was a third party against whom Watts could bring an action pursuant to § 25-5-11. Sentry was contractually obligated to pay Watts, its own insured, those damages, if any, over and above the damages Rupe's own liability insurance carrier would pay for Rupe's alleged negligence or wantonness in causing Watts's injuries. Until a trier of the facts ascertains Watts's damages, if any, whether Rupe was in fact an underinsured motorist is unknown. That, however, does not entitle Sentry to a summary judgment. The mere fact that the trier of fact may find against a plaintiff on the issues of liability or damages in an action does not entitle the defendant to a summary judgment. Sentry is not being sued because of negligence or wantonness on the part of Watts's employer or any entity protected from such an action by § 25-5-53. Nothing in the Alabama Code or Alabama caselaw shelters Sentry from its liability for underinsured- motorist coverage under the facts of this case.

There is a tension among the Justices on this Court as to whether "the damages which the injured person is legally entitled to recover" (Ala. Code 1975, § 32-7-23(b)(4)) depend entirely on the merits of the injured person's claim against the tortfeasor under the laws of the State. (1) However, without dispute, Watts was legally entitled to recover damages from Rupe in this case if the trier of fact determines that Watts was injured as a proximate result of Rupe's negligence or wantonness. Therefore, we do not test that tension in resolving the issue before us.

We reverse the trial court's judgment and remand the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

REVERSED AND REMANDED.

Lyons, Brown, Johnstone, and Woodall, JJ., concur.

1. See

Ex parte Carlton, [Ms. 1001781, April 11, 2003] So. 2d (Ala. 2003); Hogan v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 730 So. 2d 1157 (Ala. 1998); State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Jeffers, 686 So. 2d 248 (Ala. 1996); State Farm Auto. Ins. Co. v. Baldwin, 470 So. 2d 1230 (Ala. 1985).

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Spartanburg Deputies Arrest Man After 40mph Chase.... Trailer Had Non working lights... then came off



Photo courtesy Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office


Spartanburg Deputies Arrest Man After 40mph Chase... Trailer Had Non Working Lights..



By Fred Cunningham
Anchor
Published: July 24, 2009

Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a man early Friday morning after a 40 mile per hour chase.

Terrence Mechaun Talley is charged with parties to a crime and loitering.

A deputy was trying to stop a 1998 Ford Explorer that was towing a trailer - without operating lights - around 2:30am.

Deputies say someone kept driving from the intersection of Hidden Hill Road and East Blackstock Road into Quail Pointe Apartments. When the Explorer hit a speed bump, the trailer came loose and came to a stop against a curb.

The driver kept going into the Westgate Apartments and onto Tamara Way before striking an object and stopping on Pueblo Drive.

Talley fled from the vehicle, but was later found by a search dog team and arrested. The driver also fled the Explorer after the crash and has not been caught.

Deputies say the chase never exceed 40mph and the distance traveled was less than a mile.

Is This The Proper Way To Hook Up A U-Haul Trailer?


These Pictures Were Taken on Friday July 24 By Ron Melancon

Is this a company concerned with public safety?

How did this person get off the U Haul lot in this condition.

How are the Safety Chains Connected?



Virginia Tag Number for U Haul... 3923
Can U Haul Find out who rented this trailer?

This is putting public safety at risk.

Click ON Picture To get Full View






Wreck Shuts Down S.B. I-65 At “Dolly Parton” Bridge



Wreck Shuts Down S.B. I-65 At “Dolly Parton” Bridge



Published: Thu, July 23, 2009 - 1:34 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, July 23, 2009 - 2:58 pm CST
1550 Views |Short URL: http://wkrg.com/203966
2:50 p.m.
Southbound I-65 at the "Dolly Parton" bridge has reopened. It was closed for about an hour and a half Thursday because a 45-foot trailer hauling ATV's overturned.

1:34 p.m.
Southbound I-65 is closed at the General W.K. Wilson Bridge, which is affectionately known as the "Dolly Parton" Bridge.

State Troopers tell News 5 a Chevy 3500 pick-up truck was pulling a 45-foot box trailer full of ATVs and electrical equipment. The trailer came loose and overturned.

Troopes say it appears there are no injuries. But the road is completely blocked. Traffic is being diverted at Exit 31 (Hwy 225) south to Spanish Fort.

News 5 first reported this story as BREAKING NEWS on wkrg.com.
Keep up with breaking news when you're at work or on the go. Get breaking news updates on twitter or facebook. You can also sign up for News 5 Text Alerts. News 5 can also send breaking news alerts to your e-mail.

Horse trailer comes loose on U.S. 60 in Apache Junction


Horse trailer comes loose on U.S. 60 in Apache Junction

Reported by: Alison Green
Email: agreen@abc15.com
Last Update: 7/24 9:35 pm


The Department of Public Safety is investigating a rollover crash on the U.S. 60 near Goldfield Road in Apache Junction.

Officers say a horse trailer came loose from the truck that was pulling it and rolled into the median at 7:00 p.m. Thursday night.

A horse was inside the trailer at the time.

According to DPS, officials helped to extricate the animal and upright the trailer. The condition of the animal is not known at this time.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident and it did not cause closures.

No one was injured.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Jacknifed Utility trailer snagging I-5 traffic


Jacknifed trailer snagging I-5 traffic


Incident occurred near Woodland

Tuesday, July 14 | 5:49 p.m.

WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

WSDOT Alert

DATE/TIME: July 14, 2009, 5:15 p.m.
DESCRIPTION: A jack-knifed pickup with horse trailer is blocking the right and center lanes. WSP is on scene with traffic control.

LOCATION: Northbound I-5 from milepost 0 to milepost 18 ,3 miles south of Woodland, Clark County
START: July 14, 2009, 4:45 p.m.
Est. END: July 14, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
OTHER: Use caution. For more information contact the Washington State Patrol, Vancouver.
CONTACT: SW Region Traffic Management Center 360-759-1300

DISCLAIMER: The Washington State Department of Transportation provides this information as a public service. It is based on currently available information. Motorists are reminded that weather and road conditions can change rapidly and should plan accordingly. For current traveler information, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or call 5-1-1

A utility trailer being pulled by an SUV had a tire blow out,


Note: No Inspections on any trailer under GWR 3,000 pounds.

Was this person using an ST Rated Tire?

NEWPORT NEWS


Traffic was still flowing on I-64 after the crash, but to access Jefferson Avenue from the westbound lanes, motorists had to instead exit at Fort Eustis.

A second, unrelated crash in the same area caused a traffic backup of several miles, Cotten said.

A utility trailer being pulled by an SUV had a tire blow out, causing it to skid out of control and strike a tree. There were no injuries reported, Cotten said.

For an update, come back later to PilotOnline.com and read tomorrow's Virginian-Pilot.

Rollover causes temporary lane closure


Rollover causes temporary lane closure

07/22/2009, 11:21 pm
Comment on this story | Print this story | Email this story
No injuries were reported in a rollover accident just east of Morris Wednesday afternoon.

Illinois State Police District 5 stated an SUV rolled over in the median, one mile east of Route 47. The SUV was pulling a trailer with a boat on it, and the boat became detached from the trailer.

The crash occurred when a tire blew on another vehicle and the driver of the SUV was attempting to avoid debris.

One eastbound lane was closed temporarily.

Jet ski stolen after fall from truck Trailer Came Loose


Note: Why did the trailer come loose?

Was Safety Chains used?

Jet ski stolen after fall from truck

Published Friday, July 3, 2009


The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of a jet ski that came off a transport truck.

The sheriff’s office received a report around 4:40 a.m. Friday regarding a Kawasaki jet ski and trailer that had apparently come loose from a transport truck as it traveled along State Highway 34. When the truck driver went back to retrieve the jet ski and trailer near milemarker 13, both items were missing. An investigation is ongoing.

Second man dies after Milledgeville wreck


Second man dies after Milledgeville wreck


Thursday, Jul. 23, 2009


- jkovac@macon.com

A second Gordon man died late Tuesday from injuries he sustained in crash on U.S. 441 that morning.

Buford Prosser, 64, died at a Macon hospital hours after the 11:15 a.m. wreck near Marshall Road on the north side of Milledgeville, the Georgia State Patrol said Wednesday.


Prosser and Albert Lee Harris, 55, had stopped along the highway to reconnect a straw trailer that came unhitched from the Toyota pickup they were in.

That’s when a 2009 Honda Fit, driven by a Milledgeville woman, ran into the trailer, striking the two men. Harris, also of Gordon, died soon after the crash.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

I-20 lanes open after fiery crash.... SUV Broke Away From Towing Vehicle





NOTE: Why did the SUV break away from the Towing Vehicle?

Was the SUV properly secured by the hitch? Or did lack of education and training
or a complete failure of the hitch cause the accident?




I-20 lanes open after fiery crash


By Heather Civil • heather.civil@clarionledger.com • July 13, 2009

All lanes of I-20 near Pearson Road in Pearl are open after almost 14 hours.

Traffic was backed up this morning past Airport Road traveling west as debris from a fiery collision between a tractor-trailer and an SUV was cleared.

The 18-wheeler burst into flames after being hit by the SUV after it broke loose from the vehicle that was towing it. Both the unoccupied SUV and the semi were in the eastbound lanes.

The accident happened around 9:30 pm. Sunday.

No one was injured. The semi driver Roy Marquardt of South Dakota.

The semi, carrying a load of sprinklers, burst into flames after the SUV hit it.

Both lanes of the highway were closed after the crash, causing a serious traffic backup that lasted into this morning.

To comment on this story, call Heather Civil at (601) 961-7067.

No Charges In Fatal North Strabane Trailer Crash Woman Died, Child Survives With Injuries

No Charges In Fatal North Strabane Trailer Crash

Woman Died, Child Survives With Injuries


POSTED: 5:21 pm EDT May 6, 2009
UPDATED: 5:37 pm EDT May 6, 2009

No charges will be filed against a pickup truck driver who lost his trailer, which broke free on Route 19 and killed a woman when it went through her car's windshield.

The force of the trailer's impact peeled back the roof of Michelle Kott's car on Dec. 15 in North Strabane Township, Washington County.Kott was killed in the crash, while her friend, Brandi Curtis, and Curtis' 5-year-old daughter were seriously injured.

Related Story: Survivor Describes Crash, Faces Emotional, Physical Pain"After carefully reviewing the case with the North Strabane Police Department and the (state police) accident reconstruction team, the office of the district attorney does not believe that the facts support criminal culpability required for negligent homicide," said a statement from District Attorney Steven Toprani. "Specifically, it was determined that there was no evidence indicating gross negligence on the part of the truck and trailer operator, a necessary prerequisite element for criminal charges."A police report states that the pickup driver, Ryan Bier, 18, told North Strabane investigators that "he felt the trailer pulling hard on the truck and heard a loud pop."


The report also said Bier told police that the wind moved the trailer from side to side, then, "A large gust of wind came across Route 19 and picked the trailer off of the roadway and tossed it into the oncoming traffic."The driver's twin brother and passenger, Justin, also told police of a "yank" on the truck and a "loud pop" and said that "a large gust of wind pulled the trailer off of the roadway and (it) crashed into the car," according to the police report.Ryan Bier told investigators that before the accident, he personally made sure the trailer was secure and that he attached the trailer onto the truck's ball hitch, closed the clamp and put a pin through to lock the clamp.Ryan Bier also said he crossed the safety chains twice, attaching them to the truck bumper. He said his brother then jumped up and down on the trailer to check the connection and that the trailer was secure.

Wreck kills one, injures one in Milledgeville



NOTE: Our organization has just learned that the second man has lost his life.
We are truly sorry for the loss of life.

- jkovac@macon.com



MILLEDGEVILLE —A Gordon man was killed and another seriously injured Tuesday when a car crashed into the pine-straw trailer they were rehitching to their truck along U.S. 441.

The Georgia State Patrol said the wreck happened near Marshall Road, a few miles south of the Lake Sinclair bridge, shortly after 11 a.m.

Albert Lee Harris, 55, was killed and Buford Prosser, 64, was injured when a 2009 Honda Fit, driven by 43-year-old Tammy McMullen of Milledgeville, struck the trailer, which had come loose from the 2007 Toyota Tundra the men had been riding in, a patrol spokeswoman said. McMullen was not hurt.

The men were apparently between the pickup and the trailer when the crash happened. Prosser, whose legs were badly hurt, was being treated at The Medical Center of Central Georgia, the patrol spokeswoman said.

No charges had been filed and the incident still was being investigated.

Grand Junction man killed in wreck near Silt U Haul Trailer Involved


Grand Junction man killed in wreck near Silt

Crash occurred around 12:30 p.m. Monday near milepost 95 between Silt and Rifle

GJ man killed in I-70 rollover, Person Lost Control Of U Haul Trailer



NOTE: What training was given before this person was allowed to tow?

How fast was he going?

What condition was the U Haul trailer in?

Did the Trailer contribute to the accident?

GJ man killed in I-70 rollover

Posted: July 21, 2009 03:50 PM

Updated: July 21, 2009 07:52 PM

A Grand Junction man is dead after a two-vehicle rollover accident on I-70 between Silt and Rifle Monday. The accident occurred around noon at mile marker 95.

According to the State Troopers, 32-year-old Ryan G. Legg of Grand Junction was traveling westbound on 70 in a Toyota Tacoma when he attempted to pass a Jeep Cherokee hauling a U-Haul trailer.

The Jeep swerved into the left lane and collided with Legg's car as it was passing the Jeep. This caused both cars to spin out of control and eventually roll several times. Legg was ejected during the rollover.

Legg was taken to Grand River Medical Center in Rifle, where he was later pronounced dead. Troopers say Legg was not wearing his seatbelt.

The occupants of the Jeep were all wearing seatbelts and sustained only minor to moderate injuries.

The driver of the Jeep has been charged with Careless Driving Causing Death, and Careless Driving Causing Bodily Injury.


Saturday, July 18, 2009

Leland traffic accident ties up traffic... Utility Trailer Involved


Source: Mike Womble

Source: Mike Womble


Source: Mike Womble


NOTE: AT this time we do not know what caused this accident.. However what we do know is that a Pick Up towing a trailer was involved.

We do not know if the Trailer came loose and caused this accident. We will keep advised.
Posted: Jul 17, 2009 11:08 AM EDT

Leland traffic accident ties up traffic


Posted by Debra Worley - email

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - An accident involving four cars and a utility trailer on Highway 17 near the Wal Mart in Leland has caused northbound lanes of the highway to be closed.

According to Scott Garner with Brunswick County Emergency Services, several people were taken to the hospital, but the extent of their injuries are unknown at this time.

Law enforcement reports the road will likely be closed until at least noon Friday. Alternate routes are suggested:

  • Lanvale Rd to 74/76
  • Maco Rd to 74/76

Stay with WECT and wect.com for more details as they become available.


Teen Killed in Accident


Teen Killed in Accident

Franklin Co., VA - A 14-year-old boy is dead after an accident in Franklin County Friday evening. It happened shortly before 6:00 p.m. near Red Valley. According to State Police, Devan Austin was alongside Route 116 getting mail out of a mailbox when he tried to run across the road. He ran into the side of a utility trailer being hauled by a pickup. Austin, who was from Newport, was killed. The driver, a 21-year-old from Boone's Mill, was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.

Traffic on Connector slowed by boat that fell off a trailer


Note: NO Inspections on trailers like these... Was the tire that blew out an ST Rated Tire?

A blown trailer tire caused this accident on the Coquihalla Connector. (Photo Joe Fries)
Friday, July 17th, 2009 | 5:18 pm

By Joe Fries

Traffic on the Coquihalla Connector heading towards Kelowna has been reduced to one lane as two tow trucks clear an accident.

The incident, abut 30 kilometres from the junction with Highway 97, happened when a driver in an eastbound lost control of his boat trailer. The driver thinks he blew a tire, causing the loss of control. The boat ended up overturned in the ditch.

The driver of large U-haul truck swerved to miss the accident and ended up with his tires in the ditch.

There were no injuries.

Large camping trailer detached On I 275


Note:

NO Inspections on Trailers under 3,000 Pounds in Virginia.

If this trailer was over 3,000 pounds was it inspected and was the towing vehicle able to tow the Camper??

Wreck causes Friday afternoon backup on I-81

A wreck this afternoon on Interstate 81 caused minor injuries and a ten mile back-up in Rockbridge County.

The accident involved a pick-up truck that was pulling a camper. The camper was loaded with four, four-wheelers.

State Police say the vehicle was passing a tractor trailer around 12:40 pm, when the driver lost control. The truck hit a guardrail and the trailer overturned.

Two five pound propane tanks broke loose, causing a propane leak.

Four patients were treated for minor injuries.

Moooving violation: Cattle scatter after trailer overturns



NOTE:
Inspections on trailers just one pound under 3,000 are not required.

Most often it is the poor condition of the trailer that causes accidents. Was this trailer a double axial trailer?

If so when was the last inspection?

Jill Nance/The News & Advance
Roscoe Goode (left), of Richmond, inspects his trailer that was holding eight cattle before it overturned on U.S. 29 on Monday afternoon. One of the cows had to be put down while the others scattered.

By Carrie J. Sidener

Published: June 23, 2009

Seven cattle remain roaming the land around the U.S. 29 bypass after a car crash Monday afternoon set them loose.

The cattle escaped the trailer of 63-year-old Roscoe Goode, of Richmond, when it overturned as he headed south on the U.S. 29 bypass near Galts Mill Road in Madison Heights around 2:30 p.m. Monday.

There were eight cattle in the trailer but one was injured so badly that it had to be put down, said Trooper Mike Ledbetter of the Virginia State Police.

The crash happened as Goode was driving south on the highway in his Ford F250 towing the cattle trailer when a box truck, driven by Gary Smoot, 47, of Forest hit the back end of the trailer, Ledbetter said. The impact caused Goode to lose control of the truck and trailer, and the trailer overturned. Smoot was charged with reckless driving.

Traffic on U.S. 29 was backed up as crews took more than an hour to clean up the crash.

Neither driver was transported to the hospital.

Emergency crews couldn’t capture the seven cattle that escaped in the crash.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Horse dies after being ejected from trailer


Horse dies after being ejected from trailer


BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) Authorities say a horse fell down a steep embankment near Bozeman after it was ejected from a trailer that went off the shoulder of the road over the weekend.

The Gallatin County Sheriff's office says the horse was ejected from the trailer near the Palisade Falls Campground on Saturday.

Almost a dozen volunteers from the sheriff's office pulled the horse back up to the roadway but could not save the animal's life.

Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-14-09

Are U Haul Rental Trailers/Companies Safe?


Are U Haul Rental Trailers/Companies Safe?

July 13, 2009 by Mark Polk ·

It seems like every time I turn around I read about an accident involving a rented U Haul trailer. The trailer started swaying and the driver didn’t know what to do, the vehicle was under-rated for the loaded trailer weight, the tire came off while traveling down the highway, or the safety chains weren’t connected. It makes one wonder if U Haul trailers and the companies that rent them are safe. Well, recently I had the opportunity to experience the trailer rental process first hand.


I am using U Haul because they are to trailer rentals what Xerox is to copy machines. I personally don’t know what the U Haul corporate office guidelines are for its satellite companies that actually rent trucks and trailers, but my experience renting a trailer wasn’t very good. I’m sure some rental companies are much more professional and knowledgeable than others are, but the company I rented from has no business renting anything.

I won’t say who or where it was that this happened, we’ll just call it small town USA. Their primary business was automotive repair and I am guessing they got in the rental business to make a quick buck. I hope they are better at repairing vehicles than they are at renting trailers.

I don’t want to say anything derogatory about U Haul in general. I am sure that they have requirements for routine care and maintenance of the equipment, like checking trailers in when they arrive at their final destination, or at least I hope they do. You know what I mean, checking lug nuts, tire pressure, brakes, safety chains, and checking for any damage to the trailer. But the big question is, are these maintenance and safety checks actually being conducted by the rental company that rents the trailers? The trailer I rented had a California license plate. That’s a long way to go without having some type of maintenance performed before it’s rented again!

The story begins when I was helping my sister move recently. Most of her belongings were already moved, but there was still a good 6′ X 12′ trailer load left to move. So I took my truck and a few hitches with different drops and ball sizes that I had lying around and headed to the local U Haul rental center. The first indication of trouble was when I ask the guy, who was sent to help hook the trailer up, what size ball it needed. His reply was I think it’s 2 inches. Knowing I could find the information on the coupler I wanted to see how he would handle the situation when I replied that it’s quite important to actually know the right size ball for the trailer. He said he would need to go ask somebody.

Next I slid a hitch into the receiver with a 6 inch drop. The guy helped me lift the trailer tongue and place the coupler on the ball. It was very obvious that the tongue of the trailer was too low, not even close to being level. The rental guy was tightening the coupler to the ball with little or no concern about the ball height. I stopped him and told him we would need to try a different hitch with less of a drop. I replaced the hitch with one that had a 2 inch drop and it was much more level. I don’t think the rental guy had a clue that the hitch ball height and the amount of tongue weight can contribute to poor handling and/or sway if the trailer is not adjusted and loaded properly. At this point I was beginning to understand why there were so many accidents involving U Haul trailers.

We secured the coupler to the ball and connected the safety chains. The rental guy did offer to help check the lights, but that was it. I mentioned earlier that I didn’t know U Hauls procedure concerning maintenance checks, but nothing else was checked when I picked the trailer up. He didn’t even walk around the trailer to identify any damage to the trailer that already existed. I did notice that damaged areas on the trailer had small stickers with an X identifying the damage, so I walked around the trailer looking for any damage not already identified that I might be accused of causing.

Before leaving the next day I thoroughly checked the trailer out to make sure it was safe for the 550 mile trip.

It was obvious to me that my sister could have gone in to rent a trailer with a vehicle under-rated to tow the weight, the wrong size hitch ball, the wrong height and possibly no lights connected and nothing would be said or done about any of it. That’s a scary thought. So if renting a trailer is in your future do your homework ahead of time, just in case your rental guy isn’t quite up to speed on trailer towing topics.

Watch a short video clip on Towing Safety

Happy Camping,

Mark Polk

RV Education 101

RV University



21 Responses to “Are U Haul Rental Trailers/Companies Safe?”

  1. woof on July 13th, 2009 9:12 am

    You ought to say where the company was that rented you the trailer. Warn some other potential renter that this company is not good. Your hints about checking the trailer, ball, etc were good, but the bad businesses should have some light shone on them.

  2. GreGg Brown on July 13th, 2009 11:13 am

    I rented the largest U-Haul truck available in Rocklin, CA (near Sacramento) to bring our household goods to Brookings, OR, a trip of over 400 miles. We had reserved the truck two weeks prior. When we picked it up, it was filthy dirty, in and out, the winshield was caked with baked on bugs, yet it was a fairly new truck. The guy at the storage/U-Haul rental said he didn’t have time to clean it before we got there. Of course we had to clean the winshield before loading and driving to Brookings. I made the U-Haul guy note the dirty condition. When we got to Brookings, the U-Haul guy there could not believe the condition of the truck!

    I will rent from Budget or Penske (they took over Saturn, maker of my toad) in the future.

    Thanks, now I feel better.

  3. Charles Anderson on July 13th, 2009 11:32 am

    WITH TRAILER OR TRUCK RENTALS ,YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR.Usually the U-Haul co is cheapest,but runs nothing but junk.Of course the other problem is that U-Haul has many more locations to rent from.Here in the Ozark foothills we have several U-Haul agents in this small town,but with my past experance and the nightmares with U-Haul junk,I will to travel 40 miles to rent Penske,who has better equipment and has been maintained to a higher standard.Most u-haul equipment will not pass federal DOT standards and does not belong on the highway.But,then again,this is ONE MAN,S OPINON.

  4. Diane on July 13th, 2009 11:54 am

    When we moved our daughter to Chico, Ca from San Diego County we used a local U-haul trailer. The whole trip she followed us in her car and although she never saw any problems with the trailer, people would pass us pointing to something happening with the trailer. We pulled over a couple of time to check and see if there was a problem, but, we could never figure out what it was. After we got to Chico and unloaded and delivered the trailer to the local U-haul agent (who told us that they should never have rented us that trailer, but was not specific why) did we breathe a sigh of releif that the move was over. We never knew what the problem was, but, I learned my lesson and I will never rent from U-haul again.

  5. Chris O'Rourke on July 13th, 2009 12:30 pm

    Go on U-Haul website and try to rent any trailer using a Ford Explorer as your tow vehicle. You get the following response:

    Towing vehicle: 2009 Ford Explorer
    * U-Haul does not rent behind this tow vehicle.
    Use an alternative towing vehicle (i.e. - U-Haul truck or personal). See a local U-Haul center for details.

    They rent JUNK but will not rent you their JUNK if you drive a Ford Explorer!

    But if you drive a Ford Taurus they will rent you their largest trailer!

    This is why I drive 30 miles one-way to a local rent-all to rent a trailer when I need one.

  6. Rob Robinson on July 13th, 2009 12:59 pm

    More to the point we should be asking if the tow vehicle is safe. The plastic palaces with stick and staple construction should concern us more. The Flounder, Travel Cream and Bago all fall apart when laid over. I think Uhaul makes a better trailer than most RV manufacturers make RVs. If the Uhaul is unsafe it is usually the fault of the tow and not the towed.

  7. Vulpine on July 13th, 2009 1:29 pm

    A very good article, and too true in many cases. Rental agencies for trucks and trailers rarely have the rental as their primary business. I do remember a place in Chattanooga, TN, that was an actual U-Haul-owned operation, and they always kept their trucks and trailers clean. But if you even went a couple miles away to another ‘authorized rental dealer,’ you could tell they only cared about the paperwork and the money, not the service.

    My last experience with U-Haul was terrible. I needed to move and I needed a truck for a full 24-hour day. I reserved a truck for a 1-day local move and when I went in to pick it up at 8am, they told me it had to be returned no more than 6 hours later… at 2pm in the afternoon. When I tried to explain I needed it for 24 hours, they wanted to charge me three times the clearly-marked one-day rental rate.

    I walked out and put a chargeback on the credit card I used to prevent them from hitting me with a penalty fee. I traveled barely a block down the road and got a Budget truck for $10 more than the U-haul, but didn’t have to return it for 24 hours. And they had one available right then.

    On the other hand, when my wife’s grandmother died, the U-haul dealer in that town gave me excellent service on a trailer, showing me everything about the hookup and safety chains and even checking the lights, performing a full walk around with me.

    Really, it all depends on the vendor. Too many are greedy franchise holders who care nothing for the product; it’s not their concern. But others truly pay attention to what they’re doing, and it tends to show in whatever their primary business is.

  8. nushagak on July 13th, 2009 1:36 pm

    I have needed to move quite often. My last move was going to take me some time to load a trailer. There happened to be a utility trailer dealership in the area, so I checked them out. Checked out all they trailers they had for sale, talked with the owner over what my needs were, and what vehicle I had that would be towing the trailer. Mulled this over for quite some time, and decided to purchase. For me this was the best solution with my many moves, cost of purchase versus cost of constant rental, plus being assured I now had a trailer that is under my control for maintenance. Because I always have a place to park this trailer on arrival it was a good move. Obviously not the answer for everyone, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the cost of purchase so low compared to rental. I had considered selling the trailer when I got to my destination, but decided against it. I guess as an RVer I like having my trailer.

  9. GMAs on July 13th, 2009 2:22 pm

    While you may blame U haul for the bad equipment… it really is the people who rent it that abuse and miss use them most of the time. I saw a U haul going down the interstate at over 80 mph… in tow… later we stopped due to the accident… seems the trailer fishtailed and tore off the micky mouse hitch on the honda… and spread it all over the roadway…

    The owner of the car was saying he was going to sue them for the damage their trailer did to his vheicle… when in fact I commented… well going 80 mph is not really what they have in mind… he got real defensive and pissie… so we saddled up and went on… leaving him to his BS

    You get what you pay for.. but most people want to take it to the limits… if it was their own.. would they overload it, travel too fast… etc..

    The kids who are paid peanuts for hooking these things up… are not experts.. matter of fact the last time I rented one… (and no they won’t rent to exploders due to being sued by some idiot no doubt … yet they will hook one up to a ranger truck… which is the same frame and all as the exploder.. go figure) The kid knew nothing about wires, electrical or towing… as he said I only work here to get money to go to school… the amount of training they got was mainly watching others that had been their longer…

    Never the less… you have public trying to pull 6000 lbs with a toy of a car… who were told that it was going to do the job… hardly… so who is at fault… the nut behind the steering wheel most of the time…

    I think the RV and rental industry should have a class that one should take on the correct way to get down the road… but, then again how do you educate a dummy that knows it all… or says they do… grin… So the insurance company takes the hit most of the time… when the accident occurs…

  10. GMAs on July 13th, 2009 2:26 pm

    Now you known why most are opting for the toyhauler kind of trailer RV… its multi purpose… giving it more useage…

  11. Casey Donovan on July 13th, 2009 3:11 pm

    I reserved a U-Haul trailer on their Web site, to be picked up by my friend who was moving from central Florida to our home in the Houston area. The designated agent, who was primarily a rental storage operation, pointed to a trailer, saying “take that one”. My friend hitched the trailer to his truck with no help from the agent, who then said “you’re good to go”. We loaded the trailer, hitched it to my Class C RV, and drove to Texas. After unloading, we turned in the trailer to my local agent, Steve, whom I knew socially. We met his question “where is your paperwork?” with “what paperwork?” The renting agent hadn’t bothered to give my friend a rental contract. Steve outlined the sort of problem I might have had if I’d been stopped by a law officer for any reason, for example to tell me the trailer had two broken clearance lights. U-Haul’s computer showed the trailer to be still in Florida; it could have been considered stolen. The good news: since there was no contract, Steve persuaded his contact that I shouldn’t be charged for the rental. About two weeks later, a charge initiated by the renting agent appeared on my credit card statement. I successfully contested it to the card issuer.

  12. Tom Moore on July 13th, 2009 3:13 pm

    I rented a small U-Haul several years ago. I got home and noticed that one wheel was leaning. Close inspection revealed that the nut on the end of the axle was missing. If I had driven even another block, the trailer would have been on the axle. I had to wait 36 hours for a replacement trailer when a dealer was 3-1/2 miles down the road.
    I will not rent from U-Haul again.

  13. Earl on July 13th, 2009 3:15 pm

    WELCOME TO DUMBDED DOWN AMERICA !!! CYOA

  14. mayorofwoolerton on July 13th, 2009 5:18 pm

    I have had dealing with a few u-haul dealers in both countries after finding no other that could handel a problem. Be it propane fill, trailer wiring or what ever, they have done it profetionaly and corectly every time. When I have been there I have get to see a truck or trailer that is in good shape. Also I remeber a CBC News invetagation last year into u-haul and head office looks to be at falt. I hope they can get there house in order for the many good outlet they have.

  15. Chris Burton on July 13th, 2009 5:50 pm

    I’ve rented from U haul dozens of times in my life, and always found that many of the above comments are true, (well except the one that said Ranger’s and Explorer’s share the same frame, they don’t, Rangers have a perimeter frame, and Explorer’s are unibody construction). It’s my opinion that if you are going to rent a trailer and tow it down the highway, you better darn well know how to hook it up yourself, load it correctly, check the ride height, lights and other equipment, and drive at a safe towing speed. Everyone should keep in mind that the franchise owner at the U-Haul lot has no real skin in the game of your life expectancy on the road. He probably doesn’t care that the tires are under inflated, and you’ve loaded the trailer tail heavy, because he isn’t the one risking his life towing a poorly configured rig.

  16. Richard M. Clark on July 13th, 2009 6:31 pm

    On every uhaul I have rented i had to redo the wheel bearings-tighten them . Most yards didn;t even know haw to check or adjust them. All you have to do is grab the top of the tire and shake. This will show how loose theuy are.

  17. Dan Davis on July 13th, 2009 6:42 pm

    We have a company-owned UHaul nearby, and have almost always been treated well. My one out of the ordinary experience happened in Oregon with a UHaul franchise when we were closing my recently-deceased mother’s house.
    I walked into the office in a driving rain, looking for the biggest covered trailer they had. The agent offered a 6×12 closed trailer. We hooked it up, tested everything, then went inside to take care of the paperwork.
    It was a computerized operation, so he asked me questions about my tow vehicle. When i told him it was a 4wd Yukon XL with an 8.1 liter engine, he stared at the keyboard a few seconds then started to giggle.
    I asked him what was up and he said, “I’m looking for the ‘massive overkill’ button.”

  18. Mike on July 13th, 2009 7:00 pm

    U haul trucks had such a bad reputation in Ontario Canada that the Provincial police started siezing them as unsafe motor vehicles. They had holes in the floors and body parts that you could see the road
    They have started to update the fleet but many are still gettting pulled off the road
    The trailers have also been pulled off, not only are the drivers getting charged but the company as well

  19. JayAre on July 14th, 2009 6:46 am

    Personally I don’t think it is fair to place a blanket categorization on U-Haul as being unsafe. I feel much of the responsibility falls on the individual “driver” renting the equipment. If you don’t know what you’re doing, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it. I think U-Haul has done a very good job of designing equipment that is rugged, dependable and as safe as it can be. You can’t expect someone idiot proof everything. I’m sure you’ve all heard the legend of the person who thought “cruise control” was like “auto pilot” and got up from the drivers seat while the vehicle was zinging down highway. True or not, that level of incompetence / ignorance exists on the American roadway. How many times have you seen a tractor trailer wedged underneath an overpass or in a tunnel because the driver obviously didn’t realize he exceeded the height restrictions for the road he was on. Whose fault is that? The trailer manufacturer? The trailer leasing company? U-Haul franchises are responsible for maintaining the equipment yes but, that doesn’t absolve the individual of any responsibility to inspect it for themselves. If you are driving it, you are the one most responsible. How many people have read the brochures they get when renting a trailer or for that matter, how many people read towing section in their own vehicle owners’ manual? Most if not all U-Haul tow trailer’s Max speed is 45mph. How many people exceed this by more than 25mph? Improperly loaded/over loaded trailers…who loaded them? Come on. And as far as “road worthiness” is concerned, how many personally owned vehicles on the road are “road worthy”? Would your own car or pass a vehicle inspection if given with no advance notice?

  20. Maria Palmisano on July 14th, 2009 2:05 pm

    My name is Maria Palmisano and I work for U-Haul International and can assure you U-Haul standards for maintenance are above any State or Federal requirements. We set these standards high because we wish our customers the safest move possible. Each U-Haul location is required to perform a Ready to Rent inspection on all equipment prior to the next rental. The Ready to Rent inspection consists of specific areas we feel could be a safety issue.
    We need to also consider, as with anything mechanical, when a problem arises, it will be when in use. U-Haul, therefore, provides a toll free number for Road Side Assistance 24/7. Immediate assistance can be obtained at this number.
    We welcome and appreciate customer feedback. This allows us to realize which programs are working or not and which areas need attention. We have a regular program for counseling with our Independent Dealers to give them the benefit of our experience in successful U-Haul service.
    Please contact me at maria_palmisano@uhaul.com if I can be of further help and please forward me the address of the “small town USA” location you rented the trailer from so I can personally follow up on the situation. I want to ensure our customers are receiving the quality of service they have come to expect and deserve from U-Haul.

  21. John Paylor on July 16th, 2009 8:06 pm

    I think you are wrong about needing to know the ball size. U-Haul trailers have a screw-on coupler which seems to adapt to any ball size. You just keep on tightening until it fits the ball. The rental assistant should have noted that the hitch height was wrong, but he no doubt didn’t know you had recievers with other drop distances.