My son and future DIL headed East last Friday to start a new job. All his worldly possessions were packed into a furniture trailer. The had gone 120miles when a strong wind gust blew them sideways. In correcting the steering he also blew a rear tyre. The result was they rolled it
Thankfully they walked away.
The whole lot was towed to the nearest regional centre 60 miles back down the road. They came back to our place. Today the son organised a truck and some mates to go a pick up the contents of the trailer. He reported that the bookcase and desks were all wrecked. The Tv strapped in the back seat with seatbelst survived.
Cheers
Graham
We're all glad they're OK. Things can be replaced.
Wow! Happy everybody is alright!
Rick
Thanks Squinty
It proves the value of wearing seatbelts (compulsory in Australia).
Their remaining possessions are now stored in my living room.
They will sort through them tomorrow and also organise flights to Melbourne.
They are returning in November for their wedding.
Cheers
Graham
It's fantastic that they came through that unharmed. They were blessed.
Now, share the following story with them to explain how it could have been much worse.
In 2000 this area was hit by two tornadoes at nearly the same time. The paths were about 15 miles apart yet parallel. I've had the opportunity to visit with many of those who were in the path. One young wife was telling me of the embarrassing experience of having everybody show up to help gather their possessions that had been strewn for a few hundred yards as the tornado destroyed their home. Among the items gathered was what appeared to be a ten-year supply of condoms. This was especially bad as they were Catholic.
10 year supply
> Among the items gathered was what appeared to be a ten-year supply of condoms. This was especially bad as they were Catholic.
keep in mind some of us might go through them faster than one per year.
wow, so glad they are all okay.. I've seen trailers go out of control before, it's not pretty.
glad they are ok 🙂
10 year supply
That was her choice of words, not mine. I suppose, too, that it would depend on the frequency of reuse and how frequently they get recaps put on them.
It is wonderful no one was seriously hurt.
Looks like he has some funky, low profile, rear tires on the truck. With the heavy load on the trailer, could have contributed to the blowout. It would make me question the safety of the low profile tires. Not to condemn your son, we all make mistakes, sometimes unknowingly.
We had a pretty bad wreck last week. First real wreck I have ever had. I demolished a Volvo, my van is fine, all the passengers I believe are fine. It was caused by a tire blowout on a boat trailer ahead of us causing a chain reaction.
Sam
It is not a truck as such.
It is a Holden (Ausatralian GM subsiduary) Crewman 1 ton all wheel drive ute. It has standard passenger vehicle front end with a traytop and canopy rear end. Wheels and tyres are large passenger vehicle 16" tyres as per manufacturers specifications.
These types of cars are very common in Australia.
Cheers
Graham
Sam
I noticed the tires (tyres) also. I don't think they'd work good in my town as there are only two paved roads.
I am gald all are ok. Not a good way to start a move, I would say..
I am thankful also that your loved ones fared so well through such an ordeal. I won't pull a single axle trailer with anything load larger than a couple of 4 wheelers - they can just get too squirrely if they are not pulled perfectly straight or if you have to swerve quickly. Once they first begin to whip on you, they are almost impossible to get back under control. If the tow vehicle is not significantly larger than the trailer, it's all but over.
Graham
I'm guessing it gets windy down under somtimes?
Graham
> I'm guessing it gets windy down under somtimes?
Perry
It sure does.
Last Friday was particularly bad with a cold front passing and squally weather. Wind gusts up to 65mph were recorded.
The area where the accident happened is very prone to winds as it is flat plateau country. It is wheatbelt area with broad acre wheat farms. Typical farm is 5000ac with each paddock being several hundred acres.
When the wind gets up there is nothing to slow it down.
Cheers
Graham
