Motorhome -- 18-Wheeler Crash Highlight Safety Issues

A family making a holiday run in their motorhome came to grief the day before Christmas, making another footnote in the "safety" column.

It happened in California's Fresno County on a fog shrouded roadway. The motorhome driver pulled the family Winnebago to the shoulder of the road, and then attempted to make a U-turn across the avenue. What he apparently didn't see in the fog was an oncoming 18-wheeler. The results were predictably disastrous. All four riders in the motorhome were tossed out of what was left of the motorhome and sadly, five-year-old Joshua Lopez, Jr., didn't make it away alive.

California fogs are notorious for their part in accidents. Trying to make a U-turn with a motorhome in a fog is inarguably seeking a calamity, and without a doubt the driver will spend the rest of his life chewing on the "if onlys" of the situation. But perhaps the saddest detail of all, the investigating officers with the California Highway Patrol noted that none of the motorhome's occupants were wearing a seat belt. Maybe it wouldn't have made the difference, perhaps the forces in the crash wouldn't been too great. But statistically speaking, there's a much better chance that Joshua would be here today had he been buckled in.

Don't let the "recreational" part of your RV dull your senses. Please click that buckle.

Photo: KSEE.COM

Casino Camping: Guide to RV-Friendly Casinos
This 2007 directory is the best casino guide for RVers. Learn which casinos have RV parks or offer free overnight stays. Plus get tips and information about other casino benefits for RVers. Learn more or order.

Wind Blows RV Over As Couple Attempts Escape from California Fires

There's not much that we can say on the California fire situation--the major media have us flanked on coverage. One photo emerged that did catch our eye, and the horrific feelings that have embedded themselves in the people effected by this devastation.

From the National Public Radio website, this photo is of a Fontana, California couple who tried to get away from the flames by hitching up their fifth wheel and hitting the I-210. While the fire itself didn't catch them, Rick and Kelly DeGraw are no less victims of this disaster. What's left of their fiver lies in the background. Our hearts go out to Southern Californians hit by the fires.

RVer Knocks Out New Mexico Bridge

Seems like US bridges can't stay out of the news--this time it involves an RVer.

Bill Lange, a fifth-wheel owner from Wisconsin was motoring along with his fifth wheel in tow, minding his own business, when WHAM! his rig happened upon a bridge expansion joint sticking up at least 8" above the pavement. Lange recalls, "I had no time to react. The truck was slightly hit, but my trailer took the brunt of the blow. I’m just grateful nobody else was on the bridge when it happened.”

Lange was a bit away from home: The bridge crosses New Mexico's Canadian River, and is the main route to a popular camping at Ute Lake. The impact of Lange's rig with the joint caused a six foot section of the bridge to open up, forcing the closure of the bridge to traffic for several hours. The bridge on US Highway 54 had recently be inspected and graded as "fair," indicating that it was structurally sound. The accident took place last week. For the complete story, click here.

Photo: cnjonline.com

RV Breakdown? Get Away from that Highway

A nasty--and fatal--crash involving a motorhome in Iowa once again raise issues of safety for the RV set. Back on September 15, four folks were sitting in their Class C motorhome on the shoulder of Interstate 35 near Des Moines. Unknown to them, trouble was on the way in the form of an alcohol-affected driver and his Mitsubishi Galant.

The Galant was traveling at about 85 miles per hour when it slammed the Tioga motorhome. The force was so strong it turned the motorhome on its side and pushed across the freeway. Happily the four occupants of the motorhome were only injured; the car driver and two of his three passengers were killed.

The motorhome was parked off on the shoulder because of mechanical problems. It's not clear if the driver had engaged his hazard lights, and how much of a role alcohol played in the car driver's error--he was tested at a .08 rating, below Iowa's legally drunk-driving level.

Nevertheless, it does raise the old story: If you break down on the freeway (or anywhere else) try and get as far off to the side of the road as you can. Be sure to turn on your hazard flashers, and if you have them (and it's safe to put them out) do put out road flares. If you can limp to an exit, get off the road. You're a lot better off getting hit at exit ramp speeds than at full-tilt highway speeds.

We broke down on California's Interstate 10 one dark night when we lost all oil pressure. We limped off the shoulder as far as we could, put on hazards, and seeing that we were within inches of the fog line, got out of the rig and got as far away from the traffic as we could, clear to the interstate chain link perimeter fence. Happily, nobody clobbered us, but it was a scary night indeed.

For more details, catch the news story on line.

Photo courtesy KCCI News.

Crashes Can Ruin Your Whole Day

An RVer pulling his travel trailer on Washington's I-5 found out that rolling your rig can ruin your whole day. While trying to pass an 18-wheeler, Rudolf Miksche lost control of his rig, and rolled the whole works over. Another driver plowed on into the mess, compounding the misery. Miksche's passenger wound up in the hospital with head injuries. You can read the story on KGW.com

This kind of thing can happen even to experienced RVers. A few safety points for those new to the game always bear repeating:

Keep the speed moderate--braking distances are dramatically increased with a trailer. Control issues are compounded by higher speeds.

Steer gradually--not with sudden swings which can raise Caine with control.

If your trailer sways, stay off the brake! Instead, reduce the trailer speed by using the brake control switch to apply ONLY the trailer brakes.

If side winds or buffeting from a larger passing vehicle starts a sway, back off the gas and keep a firm hand on the wheel.

Use caution on narrow roads--don't get off on a soft-shoulder or you may lose control.

Check out more safety tips from Uncle Sam in a free downloadable booklet.


Washington State Patrol photo from KGW.COM