An elderly woman was trapped in her travel trailer after a large oak tree fell on it Thursday in Pasco County, Florida. Firefighters had to set up specialized airbags to lift the tree and roof off of the trapped woman, who was then flown to a nearby trauma center.
They were also able to rescue the woman’s small dog, Oreo, who refused to leave his owner’s side as she remained pinned, bent over at her waist, in her bedroom beneath a portion of the tree.
Friends said the woman was expected to recover.
##RVT934b
Lucky lady! We’ve all seen what happens to a trailer/RV park when a tornado hits. Even a house isn’t immune to this kind of damage.
When non campers ask me what my TT is made of I just say it’s made with spit and glue. And that is the truth. When I see what these trailers are made of I just can’t believe they get away with it. My unit is still looks like brand new, but if I get hit in a storm I will go in my truck or the nearest brick bathroom.
How do you post a photo here. Would like to show a photo of our RV when a large tree fell on it. Luckily we parked it and went in the house, sometime during the storm the tree fell on it. The claim adjuster said he has never seen anything like it. It fell down the center and look like a Taco.
https://postimages.org/
Not sure…
Sorry for the delay in responding to your question, Paul. I totally forgot about it until I saw the recent response from WEB (thanks, WEB!). I’ve just contacted our Social Media expert, Jessica, and she suggested you can post a photo by attaching an image on the form here: https://www.rvtravel.com/submit/ or you can email it to editor@rvtravel.com . It would be very interesting to see your picture. I’m sorry your RV was destroyed but am so happy to hear no one was in it! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
The government should have better building codes on how these RV motor homes/trailers are made..These RV companies have been getting away with unsafe construction of these trailers and motor homes. I understand that a big tree falling can do damage to a house but this story is only one of many problems with these RV’s.
One of the many things wrong with RV’s is they can’t withstand a full grown oak tree? Really?
If you want your RV to withstand a big tree falling on it, you wouldn’t be able to tow it with ANYTHING on the road today.
Unfortunate incident for sure, but you can’t blame “unsafe” RV construction.
so…what would you propose?
Rick V, are you kidding us! – or did you get the comment in the wrong section, should have been in the laugh of the day, because around here you sure did the trick. That tree would have bent the turret on a Sherman. But thank you so much.
Most importantly -we’re so pleased to learn the lady and her animal pal are going to be alright
If you make an RV strong enough to withstand a tree falling on it the rv would be so heavy nothing could tow it. A stick-built house isn’t strong enough to stop a tree from falling thorough the roof so why should an RV be that strong?
We’ve seen a 2 story home sliced from roof to foundation by an 80′ Ponderosa near Tahoe. I don’t believe an RV can be made to withstand a tree of more than 6″ diameter falling on it.
Yeah, that’s what we need, another Government Program to regulate the “R” out of RV under the guise of “We know what is best for you, so we can control you”…
This was a close call. Where is the vehicle that pulls this trailer? I certainly pray for her health and quick recovery and the restoration of what she lost.
yes, from what the photo’s showed, she was REALLY LUCKY AND HER FAITHFUL DOG ALWAYS THERE WHEN SHE NEEDED HIM/HER MOST.
Holy cow! That lady and her dog were lucky to have survived.
I guess when we’re boondocking in the NV desert I should be HAPPY there are no trees around – 😀
Tommy you are right about that, there’s a benefit to everything.
Years ago when our grandkids were in elementary school, I was assigned to pick them up after school one day in their parents absence. Of course after school they wanted to play for awhile with their friends which was alright with gramps. Sitting watching them frolicking around under giant old growth trees on the school grounds I became alarmed that the massively over hanging branches would break off and kill a kid or two. I mentioned this the next day to the vice – principle, who showed no alarm whatsoever. I reminded her that every tree, and every branch hanging off a tree will succumb to gravity one day, it had no effect on her.
When I look at that tree in Pasco county it reminds me of the trees in that school yard – somebody there also didn’t take a look around recognizing the benefit of mitigating the danger before it almost took a life.
To bad stop signs go up after the incident but that’s the way the human mind works.
In the Boy Scouts, we learned about “widow makers” and furry critters, but never about falling trees. Was there a storm or termite/pest damage to the tree ? Let’s hope the trailer and the lady was insured.
There was a big storm with 45 mph winds that night, around
11:30 pm.
Read your policy carefully .. May not cover a tree falling on your RV (..act of God, etc)
Tornado warnings were issued in many FL counties. We huddled in our bathroom pretty scared. Glad to not be in a trailer or near too many palm trees!