Lawyers quit trying to make it look like it was the hitch manufacturer's fault. Tell your client to admit they suck at driving.

@yzhang8629

3 жыл бұрын

Or loading and balancing between the SUV and the trailer

@crissd8283

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly. Almost all trailer pulling incidents are a result of poor maintenance, operators not following standard practices, improper loading, and improper driving techniques. Pulling a trailer certainly is not as safe as driving without a trailer. Lawyers just go after the people with the bigger pockets and that is almost always the manufacture. This is a big reason why stuff is manufactured by companies oversees as it shields them from some liability from idiot operators.

Problem was a loose nut holding the steering wheel.

@someonefamous8671

3 жыл бұрын

Haha nice

@raymondcasso7966

3 жыл бұрын

I don't think so... Normally the clock spring on the steering column would have more play. Than a loose nut.

@account4info

3 жыл бұрын

@@raymondcasso7966 The loose nut was between the steering wheel and the seat....

Interesting footage. My conclusion after watching the videos is that a Ford Excursion is a really stable tow vehicle regardless of the hitch, and assuming the weight distribution of the trailer is even close to right, you'd have to be a seriously ham fisted idiot to screw it up haha.

@daimonwilcox

3 жыл бұрын

Damn Skippy might get one of these here excursions lol even though they don't make em anymore

@iviaverick52

3 жыл бұрын

@@daimonwilcox find one in good shape with the 7.3l diesel and you have a very long lasting vehicle. They still fetch a good price tag if well maintained.

@Tracert-mc1hu

3 жыл бұрын

@@iviaverick52 Yeah, the only issue is the fuel mileage, and the V10s are even worse.

@catlady8324

3 жыл бұрын

Offensive to Hams! 🍖

@WooferCooker

3 жыл бұрын

Only Ford I’d own. One with a 7.3 would be amazing. My suburban will be good enough I suppose

Props to that test driver for having the balls to reenact this and getting behind the wheel.

@bobabooie6389

3 жыл бұрын

And not wearing a helmet

@WooferCooker

3 жыл бұрын

Right and no extra safety features from what I could tell. Basically: “let’s see if we can wreak just like they did!”

I assume this was done by the hitch manufacturers law firm to prove, hey it wasn't our product. That was a simple round bar WHD with a single Sway brake installed. They compared it to the highest rated, most expensive hitch on the market to prove that when properly installed and configured it is just as good at controlling a trailer as the Hensley. Looks like they were right.

What's the difference between a dead skunk on the road and a dead lawyer on the road? There's skid marks in front of the skunk.

I see it almost every day, someone dragging a trailer down the highway, either excessive speed or incorrect weight distribution. Wether its hauling equipment or campers. Human error! And they should be fined for their neglect to adhere to safety.

The most logical problem is the part between the seat and the steering wheel. Driving way too fast when towing is usually the cause and insufficient or overloaded tongue weight.

@Rick-tt6yq

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, that is called the “nut connecting the seat to the steering wheel”. Doesn’t seem to matter how much ‘intelligence’ is engineered into the vehicles, that nut is the weak ink. I argue that the ‘smarter the car, the dumber the driver’...are they even testing parallel parking these days?

@ronaldsmith6829

3 жыл бұрын

@@Rick-tt6yq Parallel parking? In this case I don't believe ANYONE should be allowed to tow a trailer over a thousand pounds without a special classification added to their CDL. This should be a DOT requirement so that it is consistent in all 50 states!

@donsvideos1985

3 жыл бұрын

It was the loose nut behind the steering wheel!~

@HillBilly-1

3 жыл бұрын

@@ronaldsmith6829 one thousand or ten thousand? Cause my 5x7 trailer alone weighs about 600lbs add a riding mower, trimmer and gas and I'm at or over 1000lbs. So I would need special licence to go mow my grandma's yard. That's a bit absurd.

@crissd8283

3 жыл бұрын

That and improper maintenance and improper trailer balancing.

I would say no difference in hitches ... then it was driver error

@TheBandit7613

3 жыл бұрын

The driver probably forgot to fasten the hitch lock.

I think they all knew there is nothing wrong with the hitch, the test driver didn’t even bother with any protective equipment. If they thought there was a chance the hitch could fail and cause a rollover surely he would at least wear a helmet.

@SmithFarmTilton

3 жыл бұрын

He would have....... but please don't call him Shirley.

@8000RPM.

3 жыл бұрын

@@SmithFarmTilton Naked gun 2 1/2?

@davestaco

3 жыл бұрын

He didn't even buckle up.

@account4info

3 жыл бұрын

@@8000RPM. Airplane.

Most likely driver error or very likely insufficient weight on the hitch. When this is allowed to happen the tail will wag the dog and then everything ends up all upsidedownie!

Hitches don't generally fail. Not to say it can't happen, but usually it wasn't hooked up properly, missing safety pin, wrong size ball, or loose parts.

Lots of facts missing here , how fast was driver really going ? Was trailer over loaded? Was the load in trailer balance ? How much weight was in car including people and fuel?weather? Wind ? Rain? Wet road? And more how much towing has the driver done in their life , how old was the hitch ? I mean I can go on on

@vincentlaguardiagambini5702

3 жыл бұрын

Lawyers don't want to hear that because they can't get blood from a turnip. They want to blame the hitch manufacturer, tire manufacturer, truck manufacturer, etc.

@ronaldsmith6829

3 жыл бұрын

I was going to ask the same questions as Dennis. I would have even asked the questions without the video which seems to exonerate ALL of the equipment. I was especially impressed how well the trailer handled.

@miketlane

3 жыл бұрын

this was a hitch testing to prove the hitch was not the problem most likely because the car insurance co is looking to pass on who pays out. this is the hitch maker proving/defending their hitch is good and don't care if the driver loaded it wrong or road conditions.

I am sure Texas’s 80 mph speed limit had no factor.

Lots of money spent, trying to lay the blame on the manufacturer, probably trying to get more money for their own mistake .

when you try to blame the hitch for your bad driving and the hitch company responds

If you mentioned it, I missed it. Was vehicle at GCW ?

payload is not the same as tow rating. someone needed to read that.

Hello, I would like to know what product you recommend to carry an RV trailer with greater safety ...... thank you ..........

@JAMESWUERTELE

3 жыл бұрын

F-350

@imacrazyguy5831

3 жыл бұрын

A longer wheelbase and more weight.

@Morpheas001

3 жыл бұрын

@@imacrazyguy5831 Which is funny since the vehicle in question is a doggone Excursion...

@preachers4135

3 жыл бұрын

The “product” that “carries” an RV trailer is the tires. I recommend round rubber ones properly inflated.

How fast was he going at the time, not how fast he thinks he was

Please define what is standard testing protocols???

I towed many thousands of trouble free miles with an Eaz-Lift hitch. Never drove like a maniac either.

Before buying an RV, know what your vehicle can tow! 1: GVWR 2: GVCR 3:Carrying capacity of the tow vehicle including hitch weight. Be careful with this one!! It’s not as capable as you think it is!! 4: Carrying capacity of towed vehicle!! Be careful with this one also!! 5: Cheap tires is a no no!! Tires must be able to handle the weight!! 6: taking your RV off road, you’re on you’re own!! Rough roads will damage a new RV very quick unless it’s built like a tank!! Is yours? 7: Weight distribution hitch/anti-sway capability!! Yes they differ!! 8: Hitch weight is part of the carrying capacity of the tow vehicle plus personnel plus extra cargo in the back of tow vehicle! You may find out you’re overloaded before beginning your trip!! 9: EXPERIENCE 10: SPEED!! Don’t say, well they’re going fast, I can too!!

I have saw an s10 pickup pulling a 40 or 50ft boat with a 3 axle trailer. Over loaded??? Yeah! Guy was on the interstate going about 45mph. Truck probably could not pull any faster. This is a wreck looking for a place to happen.

@juliogonzo2718

3 жыл бұрын

Even if a trailer is within the maximum towing capacity, it could be dicey. I used to have a tahoe. It was rated to tow 5000lbs. No f-ing way I would tow that much on a short wheelbase with rear coils.

@juliogonzo2718

3 жыл бұрын

I passed a Chrysler 200 towing a tandem uhaul trailer the other day. I have seen a sunfire pulling one years ago. The sunfire had a dent in the rear door that looked like it came from the corner of the trailer :)

@preachers4135

3 жыл бұрын

@@juliogonzo2718 Have you heard the stories of GM minivans (fwd uni-body) driving up to dealership service shops with uhaul still in tow, customer concern: they can’t open the doors? The bodies were stretched.

@account4info

3 жыл бұрын

@@preachers4135 In Nebraska years ago I passed a ford windstar on the side of the road with a 6x12 uhaul trailer. The body of the car folded at the rear wheel wells. The hitch was dragging on the ground.

When you are towing a trailer, a lot of little things can contribute to a loss of control. Distractions, maybe tire pressure, trailer axle alignment, weight shifts, someone doing something stupid in front of you can all affect the way the rig handles. I know from experience that an idiot changing lanes in front of you can cause an accident and cause you to roll the trailer, luckily the Jeep stayed upright, but the trailer was damaged severely. Short tow vehicle and short travel trailer, short reaction time, in Houston traffic.

I don't own a truck and I've never hauled a trailer in my life yet here I am

With nowadays testing this is how I expect them to test all the new vehicles this just shows an excursion is something I might bargain later on.

I had the very same make/model travel trailer for 10 years. Initially towed for a short time with a 1/2 ton Dodge quad cab before upgrading to a GMC 2500 quad cab. The trailer is heavy, but should have been no issue for the Excursion. I would look at other factors, such as how the trailer was loaded or the very well known and documented "death wobble" that Ford HD trucks have become famous for.

Is this an ad for Hensley hitch

@robedmund9948

3 жыл бұрын

BINGO, Joe!!

@acdii

3 жыл бұрын

If it was it will save a lot of people $2000 each since the cheapo round bar with single sway brake is just as good.

Every one pulling way more weight than what is safe

@rex4765

3 жыл бұрын

In general, Excursions can tow up too 11,500lbs and if it was overloaded they wouldn't have bothered with the test more than likely to prove what would be well known. Its just people ignore trailer tire speed limits and think that with all the weight they can maneuver like a sports car, but yeah, good point. My 07' Durango can tow up too 9,000lbs, and I haven't exceeded 6,500-7,000lbs yet and don't have a need too.

2:10 and this is what a properly balanced trailer should do lmao

So, what was the point ?

@jwatkins5155

3 жыл бұрын

Looks like the driver tried to claim that the hitch was at fault, this is the insurance company proving them wrong, and therefore effecting the outcome of the insurance claim. Basically puting the driver at fault.

I Know I Dont Know Nothin from Nothin Else_It's just Imo. Trying To Recreate a Possible Excursion 'Twistie Tie' Maker Product' Without Helmet' Suit' 4 Point' or Gloves'? really? 'just sayin'😶✌🇺🇸

@dirtybauer7022

3 жыл бұрын

its not needed when you already know the truck and trailer are going to perform great with no issues. 90% of trailer involved accidents are because the driver was negligent in loading the trailer and then decided to speed.

Maybe I'm missing the point here but the only thing I saw was that neither hitch failed when an entire team of experts was employed to properly install it. Is it's expected that the average operator pay a team of Engineers set up the hitch every time they tow?

@wildbill23c

3 жыл бұрын

No, they're just proving the hitch didn't fail, it was driver error that caused the rollover.

@acdii

3 жыл бұрын

WDH are easy to set up properly, follow the installation instructions and use a scale to verify. In this case they verify all was done correctly. I see nothing wrong with it. It's how they keep from paying out a multimillion $ lawsuit when it isn't their product that was the issue.

why didnt the test driver have a helmet on

@bikeaddictbp

3 жыл бұрын

Probably because they were pretty sure the hitch wasn't going to be a problem when properly installed and legally operated, I.e. the actual problem was the idiot behind the wheel, like it usually is.

No helmet or safety suit on the test driver ..... Balls of steal

New Hampshire I-93 just after Exit 23 northbound [toward camping areas], older Ford Explorer pulling a 35' travel trailer rolled into a slightly v shaped large grass median. SUV stayed upright but trailer was flattened [racked] and that thing was PACKED with groceries, clothing, kids toys, you name it. It was all strewn out everywhere; what a mess. All came out thru the roof. Possibly too much weight loaded in the rear bedroom combined with a sudden steering move. Or maybe the driver was competent, loaded correctly and another vehicle was the culprit.

There is a HUGE different between those two hitches. Actually, Hensley and ProPride are the only two hitches that are not like any other out there. Proper loading of the trailer is key in all cases, but it is completely IMPOSSIBLE for the trailer connected with a Hensley to get away from the tow vehicle. Physics will not allow it as it's a solid connection. ONLY the tow vehicle can turn the trailer, not the other way around. The friction style sway control is an add-on as shown in the video and can be tightened and loosened by the user. This allows you to control the amount of sway control . The problems with this style of sway control are: You cannot back the trailer up unless it's disconnected, and if the force of sway overcomes the friction, then the device has failed and the trailer will continue to sway worse until it flips. Hensley and Pro pride hitches are the closest you can get to a 5th wheel or goose neck when it comes to stability and sway is IMPOSSIBLE.

The best hitch in the world cant fix stupid.

I dont know what happened but I know this. At 3 minutes you can see the safety chain hook . Its upside down. Hook should have gone in from tbe top. Also no latch or mousing on the hook !

@buildthings79

3 жыл бұрын

The hook is supposed to be like that so if a bump is hit it bounces up and hits the hitch and comes back down in place. So the only way to remove it is to twist it upward to unhook it. The chains are also supposed to be crossed. The hook does not need a latch on it to be within law but it's recommended. Commercial contractor trailers never have latches on their safety chains. I own trailer repair shop and have the Federal highway regulations regarding trailers laminated in our shop.

@DriftWithoutCar

3 жыл бұрын

Another reason it's supposed to be like that is if the hitch does fail then you have a ton of weight on the hook, then if the hook fails it's going to go off in the opposite direction it's hooked, so you very much want those hooks to fail DOWN instead of fail UP

I could see if the hitch system failed that would be error but nothing structurally failed..... driver error

Why isn't the driver in the test vehicle wearing a helmet in case the vehicle did actually reproduce the failure? Also, I wonder if the trailer was improperly weighted toward the rear.

No way it was drivers error....

Test driver has nerves of steel. Easy to chase it in a wide open area. Much harder with a concrete barrier and other motorist all around!

I had a 2002 Excursion and pulled a 35ft 9500 lb trailer from Dallas to Branson MO back in 02 or 03 and my trailer brakes were shorted out so I had no trailer brakes. I drove back most of it in the rain. It was pretty much fine until I got in to the DFW area where my butt was puckered the whole rest of the way home. Somehow I made it and didn't kill my whole family. Damn that was scary though. I weighed the whole setup on the way out and the total weight was a little over 18k lbs.

@SomeDumUsrName

3 жыл бұрын

Wow! Stupidly risk the lives of your family and everyone around you and then top it off by telling the story. I don't get it and I'm not really sure which one does more to show how monumentally stupid you are! 18k in DFW with no trailer brakes....ARE YOU FKN' KIDDING ME?!?! People like YOU are the cause of MOST accidents on the road! Just plain IGNORANT!

@jstar1000

3 жыл бұрын

@@SomeDumUsrName I didn’t realize they were shorted out until I was on my way home and really didn’t know what was going on until I put it in the shop.

@utet.4226

3 жыл бұрын

Why didn't you do pre trip inspection, not a half-ass inspection but a true inspection as if your life depended on it. Never put a fool in the drivers seat.

@jstar1000

3 жыл бұрын

@@utet.4226 it shorted out on the way back and was intermittent at first. I really wasn’t sure what the issue was either so I drove home carefully and kept a lot of distance in front of me. In the end I made it and got it repaired. I was young and probably stupid one could argue, we’re not born with this knowledge and the RV industry does little to educate anyone. KZread and the internet has helped immensely.

Where are the other 24 passengers hiding? In the trailer??

@Nobody_Important_Yea

3 жыл бұрын

Man, too soon!

@account4info

3 жыл бұрын

Officer, I heard Del Rio, Texas was a good vacation spot....

can we get a like salute for the poor excursion that died to the hands of an idiot

I bet when they got done the inside of that camper looked like a tornado went thru.

@gittyupalice96

3 жыл бұрын

Should be on craigslist under the title " Lightly used camper, needs tires. "

After the crash, all the gear in the back of the camper was thrown to the front. I tried repeatedly to explain tongue weight to a few idiots. I might as well go piss into the wind

That's why you have insurance for equipment failure.

@account4info

3 жыл бұрын

The insurance wants to get paid for equipment failure too, but in this case they proved it wasn't the equipment that failed.

@jamesm568

3 жыл бұрын

@@account4info The manufacturers insurance.

You have to wonder about the loading of the trailer and tow vehicle, camping for a week can add a lot of additional weight, the trailer could have had 50 or 60 gallons of water in it, and the excursion could have had 8 passengers ( it is rated for that) . If This test not following the same parameters as the crash vehicle makes it meaningless.

@Morpheas001

3 жыл бұрын

This test was for the hitch though, not operator competence

@ericwsmith7722

3 жыл бұрын

@@Morpheas001 --The hitch was designed for sway control. and loading most certainly can contribute to sway, This test was fake, paid for by the company that designed the hitch.

Good thing there wasn't a similar accident during the testing since the crash test dummy behind the wheel wasn't wearing a helmet.

Whoever set up the hitches did NOT do it correctly. To much tongue weight, front tires are being lifted. I towed a 34 foot travel trailer with a 2004 Excursion that was properly setup. Drove awesome.

It doesn't matter anyway. The hitch Co. will crunch the number's and settle. That's mostly all lawyer's want anyway . I mean besides Justice.

Speed speed speed, 65 MPH is insane

@dodgeguyz

3 жыл бұрын

How!

@Dog.soldier1950

3 жыл бұрын

@@dodgeguyz your pulling a trailer that, if it goes out of control, can easily flip the towing vehicle. The faster you go the easier it is for the trailer to sway, once it starts its hard to stop. Plus passing with a trailer can be a challenge. Want to get to your destination? Slow down and stay in control of your rig.

@dodgeguyz

3 жыл бұрын

@@Dog.soldier1950 Ok. And what is wrong with towing at 65? I towed at 67-70 with my Excursion and 35 ft TT. I have 17 years and 10’s of thousands of miles towing. Yes when it gets windy you slow down. Are you saying to tow at 50?!!!! Is the only way?

@Dog.soldier1950

3 жыл бұрын

@@dodgeguyz your ascribing luck for skill

@dodgeguyz

3 жыл бұрын

Dogsoldier 1950 Don't need luck when you have skill! Luck is for people,that don't trust there own skills or lack thereof!

Nothing showed here really.

This really wasn't a accurate test.there were no other cars zigzaging around the truck scaring the guys wife which scars the truck driver causing unnecessary steering correction.

The driver caused the crash. There are bad drivers who crash after a blowout.

Towed a 35ft TT for 17 years with an 02 V-10 Excursion. Never had an issue. I always made sure I was set up properly and had the proper 12% tongue weight. Driven through high winds, been passed by semis, never an issue. If you see the vehicles towing on the highway, half of them aren’t even set up correctly! Which I’m sure was the case here!

@account4info

3 жыл бұрын

The ford V10 has a drinking problem. 9-10 mpg without the trailer

@dodgeguyz

3 жыл бұрын

@@account4info 15 on the highway for me with 3.73’s. When I went to 4.30 the highway mileage dropped to 14.3 but towing mileage went up by .5 to 7.

@account4info

3 жыл бұрын

@@dodgeguyz You are doing better than the average diesel powered excursion

@dodgeguyz

3 жыл бұрын

@@account4info And these are honest numbers. I have read of 7.3’s and 6.0’s getting 9-10 towing a trailer similar to mine 35ft and 9300lbs loaded.

@UncleSarkis

Жыл бұрын

Did you use a distribution hitch?

Y did i watch this

4:40 seconds I wish I had back. Showed zero info

This whole test seemed very scientific. LOL i would be ashamed if this was my case support. It certainly accounts for everything. Lol.

Love how the driver twitches the wheel. You don’t do that when on the road. Everything is easier in controlled conditions.

Problem was that it was a ford

@JBROS98

3 жыл бұрын

You prob dont like anything USA .. if not for Henry Ford rich people would be the only ones driving .. Ford is the original working class auto .

Save yourself 5 minutes. There’s no awesome crashes here. 👎

Blame it on FORD😄

No analysis... lol

PUHLEASE!!!!!! my RV is the same size and made in 2003. I don\t even use a weight distribution hitch on my 2000 F250. I pull it s fast as I wanna go and its never been an issue.

Whomever is recommending these crap videos for me please stop.

Inconclusive, uninformative, useless.

@bikeaddictbp

3 жыл бұрын

Not if the intent was to show that there was no issue if properly installed, the vehicle was properly loaded, and legally operated...