By Cheri Sicard
Get ready to join Matt McKinzie for an amazing off-road recovery rescue that happened when a large 5th wheel slid off a steep mountain trail. The driver could not make it up the mountain, so he tried to drop the 5th wheel. As soon as he disconnected from the tow vehicle, the rig slid and ended up precariously perched with nothing but a dead tree stump keeping it from careening down a 200-foot hill.
Matt advised lifting the trailer. For whatever reason, they could not get the help to do that. The owner wanted Matt to pull the rig up. He tried to turn the job down, as he still believed the rig needed lifting, but the owner was insistent.
In the process of trying to pull the rig up, they busted the hitch off. Attaching the truck was an ordeal on the hillside, and they had to jack it up to meet the trailer. After anchoring off to a tree, it looked like the plan would work at first. Then, a loud noise, the hitch breaking, and interrupted progress.
The solution was not one Matt would recommend, but he said they had no other options. Watch the video to see how they used three vehicles attached to the fifth wheel’s front axle to get it out of this mess. I am always amazed at what an innovative towing and recovery professional can accomplish, and this off-road recovery is one for the books!
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Why did the owner ever think he could do that?
Sounds like everything was going sort of ok until the driver unhooked the trailer. It’s hard to imagine what would go through your mind as you watch your trailer rolling down the hill. A ‘HS’ moment.
Why couldn’t they have brought in a crane and just lifted it up and sit it on the empty lot there?
I’m betting the owner is giving some serious thoughts of downsizing!
…or buying a heck of a bigger truck to haul it!
I wonder what was in this toy hauler? The tires look really soft in addition to the flat one. Seems downloading it would have been prudent with these steep hills.
A triple axle 5th wheel should be towed by a dual rear wheel truck, am I not correct??
Thank you, Cheri! Fascinating! Have a great weekend and safe travels!