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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: lostagain on May 09, 2010, 06:40:32 PM

Title: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: lostagain on May 09, 2010, 06:40:32 PM
This was just West of Calgary on the Trans Canada Highway on Friday. The tow vehicle, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, was a little dented from rolling too. The trailer didn't do as well... I don't know if people got hurt, I hope not. Not a good way to start your week-end. Makes you feel good about being in a bus.

JC(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi582.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss267%2Flostagainphoto%2F0507001847a.jpg&hash=a68298f60a93b1dc4ce3f727401169353b23de46)
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: HighTechRedneck on May 09, 2010, 06:56:55 PM
Ouch.  Hmm, think it might be totaled?
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: NewbeeMC9 on May 09, 2010, 07:24:59 PM


they can put it on Craigslist as a pop-up conversion :o
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: Nusa on May 09, 2010, 07:52:18 PM
Looks like it might survive as a flat-bed trailer. The floor looks intact.
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: cody on May 09, 2010, 08:31:44 PM
that should buff right out lol
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: TomC on May 09, 2010, 10:57:44 PM
I also saw an Airstream trailer that had been flipped.  It was wracked and dented, but still in one piece-capable of being towed home.  A bit of a difference.  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: desi arnaz on May 10, 2010, 03:25:15 AM
i think i bought that airstream....
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: robertglines1 on May 10, 2010, 05:49:56 AM
Bus=1 wrecker   SS is 1wrecker + 1 rollback +garbage truck. have seen same scenario...
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: David Anderson on May 10, 2010, 08:01:12 PM
Wow, that would be a bad thing to be in during a strong windstorm. :o

David
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: belfert on May 10, 2010, 08:49:29 PM
Towing all but the smallest travel trailer with a Jeep is generally a bad idea.  The wheel base is just too short for a Jeep to make a decent tow vehicle.  No need for everyone to buy an F350, but a 1/2 ton pickup or similiar would generally be a better option.

A Hensley hitch would help a short wheel base vehicle tow a trailer better.

When I had a travel trailer I always towed with a 1 ton pickup, but even then spending a little more on the hitch is worth it.
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: cody on May 10, 2010, 09:02:03 PM
I tow a travel trailer with my jeep grand cherokee's now and then and an equipment trailer on a regular basis, towing is very stabile and within the power range of the jeep done with ease, I've towed up to a 30 ft trailer without incident or even a white knuckle moment, the jeep is not the wrangler that most people think of when they hear the word jeep but a solid vehicle that is fairly heavy and powerful with a fair wheelbase.  I have 3 grand cherokee's and find them to be good tow vehicles within the range of their engines, only one has the V8, the other 2 are 4.0's (straight 6's).  The ideal tow vehicle is a truck set up for it and I also have that with my dodge ram 4x4 with the 360, lol but kinda like the jeeps for their manuverability and ability to drive past a gas station now and then lol. My grand cherokee's weigh in at around 4700 pounds so they are not as light as the smaller cherokee or the wranglers.
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: travelingfools on May 11, 2010, 09:03:52 AM
Quote from: cody on May 09, 2010, 08:31:44 PM
that should buff right out lol

roflmao
Title: Re: Rolled S and S in ditch
Post by: belfert on May 11, 2010, 01:12:47 PM
My concern with Jeeps is the short wheel base, not lack of power.  No recent Jeep I am aware of has a real long wheel base.  Sure, they work fine for towing short trailers, but I get concerned when people start towing full size travel trailers with them.

I have seen my fair share of trailers swaying behind small vehicles.  I vividly remember a short SUV towing a travel trailer along I80.  The trailer was swaying all over the road behind the SUV.  The driver must have been having a real white knuckle experience.

To be fair, I have also seen larger vehicles with towing issues too.  I remember passing a full size van towing a travel trailer some years back.  The front tires of the van were almost off the ground due to the weight of the trailer.  I know the family and they did buy a motorhome later.  (The motorhome burned up a few years back along I80 due to an enclosed trailer catching fire.  Rumors are the trailer was overloaded.)