F350 and occupants saved by their safety chains

[John E Davies]

“Witnesses said the truck appeared to lose control before the crash, first swerving to hit the right shoulder barrier before sliding over the left-side guardrail. The truck then tipped over the bridge, with the camper blocking both lanes of the bridge.”

https://www.foxnews.com/us/rescuers-pickup-deep-idaho-gorge

I would like to hear the details about what happened before they jack knifed.... 

John Davies

Spokane WA

[topgun2]

"near" death wobble?

[Frank C]

54 minutes ago, topgun2 said:

"near" death wobble?

 Did Ford SuperDuty trucks that far back (2004) have the death wobble issue?   I thought that was recent.   I already had the steering damper replaced once under warranty on my 2019 F-250.  It wasn't a severe "death wobble", and I haven't added a lift kit or bigger tires that seem to make that wobble issue worse.  But my F-250 did have a very annoying steering wheel vibration between 60 and 65 mph, even though the tires were perfectly balanced, and even in 2 wheel drive with the front hubs unlocked to rule out a front drivetrain imbalance issue.   The replacement steering damper solved it.

 

Edited March 16, 2021 by FrankC

[Frank C]

There’s a post on the Oliver Facebook page with a lot of scary photos of this.  But this one photo shows the hitch area of the truck.  A few extra chains from the crane holding it at this point, but you can see the hitch and safety chains on the truck.  The ball popped out of the trailer hitch of course with that kind of angle, and it looks like that was a weight distribution hitch as well.  But thankfully the safety chains and the truck safety chain attachment points on the receiver held the load.   Wow!  Those are some lucky folks.    And everything that was in the truck bed now at the bottom of the canyon.

Edited March 16, 2021 by FrankC

[topgun2]

56 minutes ago, FrankC said:

 Did Ford SuperDuty trucks that far back (2004) have the death wobble issue?

I doubt it in that you are right that we have only heard about the "death Wobble" issue recently.

My comment wasn't really in relation to the Ford Death Wobble issue.  I was only making reference to the "wobble" from one lane to the other as stated in the article.

Bill

Edited March 16, 2021 by topgun2

[topgun2]

Nice drive shaft and interesting "wet" look to that front left tire.

[Frank C]

Just now, topgun2 said:

interesting "wet" look to that front left tire.

Gasoline?  or large quantity of urine from the driver pissing his pants?  

[topgun2]

possible brake fluid too

[Patriot]

Another bit of info -

https://idahostatepolice.blogspot.com/2021/03/heroic-rescue-after-pickup-goes-over.html?fbclid=IwAR2Bj6f6_R-nytgIAWDdnFATarXo8UZcYwb9TuRRB-IJbp8iq37UPXHy9HU

[Mike and Carol]

21 minutes ago, Patriot said:

Another bit of info -

https://idahostatepolice.blogspot.com/2021/03/heroic-rescue-after-pickup-goes-over.html?fbclid=IwAR2Bj6f6_R-nytgIAWDdnFATarXo8UZcYwb9TuRRB-IJbp8iq37UPXHy9HU

Wow.  I wonder if my safety cables would hold my truck... might need to think about an upgrade to real heavy duty chains.

[Patriot]

Just now, Mike and Carol said:

Wow.  I wonder if my safety cables would hold my truck... might need to think about an upgrade to real heavy duty chains.

My thoughts exactly, great point Mike. I may re-evaluate cables. 

[Maverick]

How the chains are attached to the Oliver is the weak point; not the chains themselves.

[SeaDawg]

Those people were extremely lucky.

Kudos and then some, to the first responders.

This will be an amazing campfire story, for many years.

Edited March 17, 2021 by SeaDawg

[Mike and Carol]

1 hour ago, Maverick said:

How the chains are attached to the Oliver is the weak point; not the chains themselves.

I have thin curly cables, not chains.  Their connection to the tongue doesn’t look very robust, either.  I’m sure it meets RVIA standards, but not very confidence inspiring.  Mike

[John E Davies]

More pics.

That is a really narrow gorge. Bad timing, another couple of tenths of a second and they would have been on the normal shoulder, not over a deep slash.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Geronimo John]

Figure that a fully fueled and loaded 2004 F-350 probably is in the 8,500 to 9,000 pound range.  The impact loading on the chains would likely be at least 4 times this.  I'm assuming that the tearing apart of the axle unit and other parts mitigated some of the shock loading.  So, for round numbers, the momentary shock load would be in the order of about 45,000 pounds.  

I have not seen an advertisement for our curly safety strings.  But similar ones are rated at either 3,500 and 5,000 pound ratings.  My opinion is that the our curly safety strings and/or their attachment bolt would not survive this test.  Granted, using something like 1/2" yellow steel Grade 70 steel transport & logging chain (Working load: 11,300 lbs) would be over kill, but some lighter versions would be worth looking into.

@JD:  This is begging for a JD how to "Hang Proof our Oliver Tow Vehicles"!  (There is your thread title!) .

🙄

GJ

[ScubaRx]

The picture of the rear of the (probably rental) trailer shows a heavily loaded Curt basket on the rear receiver. It is speculated that the combination of a lighter than normal tongue weight and the probably inexperienced driver just lost control. In his case the trailer most likely well outweighed the truck as opposed to us Oliver owners generally being the other way around.

I have a feeling in the same situation with our trucks and trailers, it would have torn the safety chains off the trailer.

I replaced the springy cables with chain and oversized hooks. When I bought this I thought it was way more that I could possibly ever need, now I'm not so sure.

[Mike and Carol]

9 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

The picture of the rear of the (probably rental) trailer shows a heavily loaded Curt basket on the rear receiver. It is speculated that the combination of a lighter than normal tongue weight and the probably inexperienced driver just lost control. In his case the trailer most likely well outweighed the truck as opposed to us Oliver owners generally being the other way around.

I have a feeling in the same situation with our trucks and trailers, it would have torn the safety chains off the trailer.

I replaced the springy cables with chain and oversized hooks. When I bought this I thought it was way more that I could possibly ever need, now I'm not so sure.

Steve, these look better than my curly safety strings.  How did you attach them to the trailer?  Mike

[Patriot]

Here is an interview the husband and wife of the crash. Apparently wind gusts was the contributing factor that caused the driver to loose control of his rig. It must have been one heck of a massive gust. They are were very fortunate is the understatement of the day. Sure hope he was not over combined legal weight limits for truck and trailer. Time will tell.
Hopefully they can get back on there feet and be made whole again. 👍🏻 See vid. 

 

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/208/boise-couple-homeless-malad-gorge-crash/277-35752b41-4474-4eda-8175-c5b4d999c795?fbclid=IwAR36Z5vkcjNwQEj5-eVowNfx6biw_nF-8muYZhOILBXYkA0HCMo942ATKSQ

 

Edited March 18, 2021 by Patriot

[Geronimo John]

On 3/16/2021 at 5:12 PM, ScubaRx said:

I replaced the springy cables with chain and oversized hooks. When I bought this I thought it was way more that I could possibly ever need, now I'm not so sure.

 

Funny, I was looking on line at the very same chains!  Thanks for posting.  

I was thinking of using my curly safety strings to connect up to the real safety chain attachment points, and run them back to a second attachment point under the propane tanks.  Sort of a safety cable to the safety chain approach.  No point in tossing them. 

[ScubaRx]

14 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Funny, I was looking on line at the very same chains!  Thanks for posting.  

I was thinking of using my curly safety strings to connect up to the real safety chain attachment points, and run them back to a second attachment point under the propane tanks.  Sort of a safety cable to the safety chain approach.  No point in tossing them. 

I actually put them on a utility trailer that previously had none.

[BackofBeyond]

I am not worried about hanging off a bridge, tethered to my Oliver.  I am certain the risk is low compared to the other things that can go on - running up and down the byways and hi -ways of the USA.

Given my recent trip - the big roads were at full capacity and amazingly bumper to bumper for hours - on sections that I have never experienced as such previously. I may just pull Ollie to the western edge of the farm, build a campfire, and boondock at home. 

If the late spring is similar - well - lets see. I hear Ollies are bringing a fair sum  lately.....

Happy trails - 

RB

[Geronimo John]

On 3/16/2021 at 11:51 AM, Patriot said:

My thoughts exactly, great point Mike. I may re-evaluate cables. 

Ok a relook at my OE2 and Anderson with respect to safety chains.  With the two large WDH chains installed to the plate, which is part of the Anderson Receiver system, it would appear that we have four safety chains in effect.  So long as the pin holding the system in the truck receiver stays in place.  

Your thoughts?

Geronimo John