Where in the article does it say he did something wrong? Improper hitch set up? I didn't see that. Some of you need to contact the NH State Police to give them your expert opinions!
If people deliberately CHOOSE to not protect themselves, society shouldn't have to contribute to their medical care and the maintenance of their survivors. If more people understood the suffering they create by choosing to not use all "reasonable man" safety options - they'd use them!
No, I don't seriously want ANY of these people to suffer - but "society" shouldn't pay for their disregard.
RV dealers who sell or service RV's that are improperly equipped should be liable for the products and services they offer. Bartenders are liable for improperly serving alcohol - RV places should require "work" leaving their premises to be road-ready. Tractor trailers are subject to roadside inspection - so should RV's. If something is "on the road" and likely to "break loose" and kill people - it should be regulated and routinely inspected.
Since I'm already elevated-high on my soapbox... "police" almost NEVER pull-over RV's! There's danger and liability in dragging one to the side of the road, so police rarely do it. A weaving, speeding RV is pretty easy to spot - but they tend to look the other way. That's wrong!
Wrong! People need to take responsibility for thier own actions and thier own rigs. I for one am sick and tired of everyone being a victim in this country. Lets blame the dealer for something that should have been your responsibility, dealer gets sued, rv prices go up. A viscious circle. Whaaaaaaa, the dealer didnt tell me I needed XXXX. The dealers responsibility is sell you what you want, he has no liability in the situation. BTW I think bartenders being liable is just as stupid. Another example of this countries citizens refusing to responsibilty. man up or stay off the road. TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS.
Now I can get off my sopabox.
-rog
I somewhat agree with you. People should always be held responsible for themselves. The point of bartenders being liable is that people choose to be stupid and lower their iq therefore the bartender is the one who can stop the spiral, not encourage it. The is in my feable opinion very seldom a reason for the dealer to be liable. If you can't figure out what you need to tow safely with, you shouldn't tow. As the operator of the equipment, you should know how everything works. You should also understand the weak points of your setup. If not, then park it.
2008 GMC Sierra crew Z71
2007 Jag 25 JQ
Also Member of COTOC ( Campers Of The Original Colonies )
The only thing that I know of that he did wrong was not wearing his seatbelt.
Mike
chipj29 wrote: Where in the article does it say he did something wrong? Improper hitch set up? I didn't see that. Some of you need to contact the NH State Police to give them your expert opinions!
Mike Schriber wrote: The only thing that I know of that he did wrong was not wearing his seatbelt.
Mike
chipj29 wrote: Where in the article does it say he did something wrong? Improper hitch set up? I didn't see that. Some of you need to contact the NH State Police to give them your expert opinions!
Well, you would consider that to be wrong...but it is not a law in NH.
This really hits home as I have an Expy. I even remarked to my husband that I feel more sway with the Expy than I did the van. Now, we have dual sway controls installed (I insisted on TWO), but I still feel it. I'm hoping to learn more about their setup so that I can be prepared and correct anything that might lead us to this type of tragedy.
Prayers go out to the family, who seem to be at the same ages my husband and I are with kids the same age also.
~Jill~
'06 Jayco 27BH
'08 Ford Expy EL (replaced the '01 GMC Savanna - may she rest in peace)
Middle School Teacher & 1 Hubby, 1 Teen Daughter, 1 Teen Son, and 1 Pre-Teen Son who drive us crazy
1 Sheltie Lots of energy and not a whole lot of time!
Well, he's dead and the rest of his family (who were wearing seatbelts) are fine.
Just because it's not against the law doesn't mean it's not wrong.
Mike
chipj29 wrote:
Mike Schriber wrote: The only thing that I know of that he did wrong was not wearing his seatbelt.
Mike
chipj29 wrote: Where in the article does it say he did something wrong? Improper hitch set up? I didn't see that. Some of you need to contact the NH State Police to give them your expert opinions!
Well, you would consider that to be wrong...but it is not a law in NH.
cliftonjs wrote: I agree that's a pretty sad story... It's a shame anyone has to lose their life in such an accident. It was his choice not to wear a seat belt and he and his family are now paying the price.
As for making the RV dealers liable for any incorrect hitch setup... that's waaaay out of line, in my opinion. The dealer is there to sell a product. What anyone does with their setup is their choice. Who knows, the guy may have told the dealer he was having X put on a WDH and sway control... If you don't take the time to learn how to safely operate something and you get hurt, then there's no one to blame... if you fail to learn how to safely operate something and someone else is hurt, they should throw the book at you. That's my .02 worth anyway.
At the end of the day it's a tragedy no matter how you slice it. There's a family without a father and husband. The only bright spot in this is that perhaps, just perhaps, someone reading this (or the news story) will remember to buckle their seatbelt and learn how to safely tow a trailer (or operate an RV).
Toyota Tundra CM 5.7V8
25' Airstream Safari
It should be so simple. Unfortunately, dealers are a large part of the problem. Just look at how many new folks on the TT forum buy a new TT with an inadequate TV and/or no W/D and/or no sway control. The typical dealer will tell the buyer just about anything if he thinks it will make a sale. IMHO, since the dealer has to participate in the delivery of a new TT, that includes showing the buyer how to properly hitch up. And that includes W/D and sway control. Since the dealer is an active participant in this AND has motive, the dealer should be culpable.
It's not reasonable to expect the buyer of an RV to understand the in's and out's of operation without some form of training. Hence one of the reasons for the PDI.
OTOH, there are a few pro-active manufacturers & dealers. For example, the Northwood Delivery Checkout form that dealers are required to complete & is signed by both the dealer and the buyer includes:
Brake control adjusted *
functioning properly *
Unit trails correctly
*
Preparation for towing
Proper hitch selection
Sway control
* indicates the buyer may return to dealer for free inspection & adjustment for 90 days.
Since the manufacturer requires the dealer sign off on proper hitch selection, sway control, etc. the dealer has a clear responsibility. For example, in our case, the dealer noted "Hensley" next to hitch selection.
OTOH, I've got no problem with requiring a special driver's license endorsement for towing. If we can require an endorsement to drive a motorcycle where the odds of hurting anyone else are exceedingly slim, why not for towing something that's 3-4 times as large as a car.
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
If we are so quick to want to establish laws to make the dealer responsible for the safe setup of RVs sold and that the buyer have a sufficient tow vehicle and on and on.. In other words, that the buyer does not have to be sufficiently educated to make a proper purchase,or to set up and drive his rig safely, Perhaps we should hold gun dealers liable to see that their buyers are also sufficiently educated? Hmmmmmm....
Where is the "RVRA" when we need them??
After all, we would not want anyone to get hurt because of their own ignorance.
example: the sticker that informs you to "remove the child before folding the stroller"
Does anyone really know or remember when common sense died in this country?
...Or the CONTENTS HOT label on every McD's coffee becuase some woman dropped a hot coffee between her legs several years ago, sued and won.
Trial lawyers have had a field day and made a lot of people in this God loving country afraid to even breathe next to someone.
God bless this man's family and their loss. Unless you live in New Hampshire you might not understand the live free or die motto they have made famous and live by daily. I buckle up out of personal choice, the man was perfectly within his rights not to buckle up. He made a personal choice his family will have to live with forever.
In the end we need less laws and more common sense.
Michael 2 DD's and my DW 6 Acre's of Maine 2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB 2008 Chevy 2500HD Ext. Cab LT 4X4 Champion lil' yellow Chinese genset, 4000W Camping Pictures
cliftonjs wrote: I agree that's a pretty sad story... It's a shame anyone has to lose their life in such an accident. It was his choice not to wear a seat belt and he and his family are now paying the price.
Toyota Tundra CM 5.7V8
25' Airstream Safari
I agree. Regardless of what caused the accident, the real tragedy was not taking the precaution of wearing the seat belt that might have have prevented this tragedy. Unlimited freedom does not trump common sense.
Oh yeah, nice trailer!
2001 Airstream Safari 25SS tugged by 2001 GMC Yukon 5.3L 3.73
Hensley Arrow • Jordan Ultima • Barker 3000 • Mckesh
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