Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 02/23/2011
View Profile
 Offline
|
Another member's fifth wheel blown off the road...all passengers safe because they were riding in the truck, which didn't even roll.
see Do people carry passengers in fifth wheels?
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien
|
powderman426
ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
While I wont say its smart, the last time I looked it was legal in most states if you have communication between truck and trailer.
Ron & Charlotte
WD8CBT since 1976
28' Prowler & 05 Ram QC LB
I started with nothing and I still have most of it left
I never fail, I just succeed in finding out what doesn't work
.JPG)
|
henw
Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 06/07/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Of course some people will ride in them.
Just watch the news. Darwinism is alive and well.
|
4*phun*2
Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 09/24/2008
View Profile
|
Just stupid.
Glenn & Karen
'08 Chevy LT 3500 HD 4x4 CC LB DRW (nice hips)
'06 F350 4X4 Lariat CC LB DRW (nice hips) retired
'09 Victory Lane 38SRV Toy Hauler
'02 HD Road King FLHRCI KRUZN
'04 F150 XLT Super Crew
Our Toys
|
mowermech
Billings, MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Yes, it is legal in some states.
Some require communication capability between the passenger and the driver.
Is it STUPID? I certainly don't know.
Have I ever done it or allowed it? Yes, once.
Do I plan to do it again? No, but not because it is "stupid" or "unsafe", simply because it was not particularly comfortable!
I have never heard of any deaths attributed to it.
As far as what happens to a trailer in an accident, have you ever seen a large motorhome that rolled over?
How about one that had an engine fire 40 miles from the nearest fire department?
They ain't pretty!
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
|
|
|
Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 02/23/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
mowermech wrote:
I have never heard of any deaths attributed to it.
I have-
A 22 year old man died when the trailer being pulled behind his Grandfather's F150 caught fire...Man asleep in trailer dies
Doesn't sound like it was a fifth wheel, though.
|
mowermech
Billings, MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
"According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, Eric M. Ludwig, of Stratford, Wis., was sleeping in a motor home trailer being pulled by a Ford F-150 truck heading westbound on I-94 near Roberts."
What the heck is a "motor home trailer"??
OK, that is ONE fatality. BUT, it was NOT the result of a traffic accident! They don't say what caused the fire to start in the "motor home trailer".
Smoking in bed? Refrigerator? Propane leak?
Come to think of it, if it wasn't a fifth wheel, it was probably illegal for him to be in there anyway!
Allow me to clarify my statement: I have never heard of a fatality while legally riding in a fifth wheel trailer, caused by the truck/trailer being involved in a traffic accident.
|
valhalla360
No paticular place.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2009
View Profile
|
Legality vary's by state.
If you are talking about the kids, seat belt laws basically rule it out. Of course, I've never seen anyone in the back of a MH use a seatbelt. Just think about the danger in a MH of the wife using a sharp knife in a moving vehicle to make a snack.
Compared to the average Class C or lower end Class A, they disintegrate in a crash just as easily as a trailer will. Don't buy the argument MH's are designed to travel in.
This is why 5th wheels used to be for couples and travel trailers for families. 4 door pickups have blured the line but are still a limitation on passengers.
I won't think less of you if you do it with an intercom system but the PC police will cruicify you.
Tammy Mike & the Bilge Rat (AKA: Diego)
Ford F250 7.3L
1997 Sunnybrook 27' 5er
1995 Gemini Sail Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and 5er
|
shakyjay
California
Senior Member
Joined: 11/10/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I'll admit that I allowed it with my own kids. Was many many years ago with my parents fifth wheel. We did have communication. I'm not sure of the current law but know at the time in California it was legal, as long as there was communication. Kids actually loved it, they could lay down and nap. Was it stupid? Maybe a little naive but I wouldn't say it was stupid. Then again I grew up without any seat belts and riding in pickup beds. How times change.
2007 Rockwood 8315SS
2004 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax Diesel
1999 Dodge 1500 5.9L Gas
|
MM49
Brighton, MI, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/28/2004
View Profile
|
I would let my mother in law ride in the 5th any time!
MM49
|
|
|
