A double-towed trailer’s highway mishap almost ended in disaster, and one woman uploaded footage of the scary incident online. Facebook user Sierra Kigar shared a clip of a trailer nearly falling over, creating plumes of smoke that are impossible to see through. So why did the trailer almost create a massive traffic jam for other commuters, and could it have been avoided?
Facebook User Catches Trailer’s Highway Close Call
Facebook user Sierra Kigar was driving down the highway behind a large truck that seemed to be towing two trailers. Not long after, one of the trailers begins to sway gradually back and forth on the road. Initially, it careens in short, small, staccato movements. Then, with each rotation of the trailer’s tires, the driver loses more and more control of the transportation container. Dark smoke begins to emanate from the rubber burning against the pavement, and the truck is invisible to Kigar. When the gray mist finally subsides, the truck is seen on the side of the road, slowing down.
She summed up the scary occurrence in a single sentence that accompanied the video: "Saw the wiggle and started to hang back and record to send to my man - did not expect that recovery."
While the "wiggle" Kigar references is evident from the beginning of the clip, there are other details difficult to discern upon a first watch. It’s worth mentioning that several potholes and gaps in the pavement are visible beneath the truck’s tires. Additionally, the trailer’s movements became progressively more extreme before the driver was able to ultimately regain control of the unit.
Gallery: Nikola One semi-truck
Double Towing Laws
The travel blog Drivin’ & Vibin’ published a detailed post about simultaneously towing multiple payloads behind a vehicle. In the article, the author concedes that this methodology might seem like a great solution for folks trying to travel with more at their disposal. However, they also state that drivers need to keep abreast of the dangers that come with pounding the pavement in such a manner.
"Double towing increases the risk of accidents due to longer stopping distances, more complex maneuvering, and potential issues with weight distribution," the blog states. "According to safety data, improperly configured double tows can significantly increase the risk of trailer sway and loss of control."
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Drivin’ & Vibin’ urges commuters to check state laws before entering them with double-towed cargo. That’s because in some parts of the U.S., traveling with tandem containers or vehicles behind your main car is illegal. New York, New Jersey, and Hawaii, for instance, don’t allow the practice. Furthermore, some parts of America require drivers to receive a "special endorsement."
Moreover, folks need to ensure that whatever it is they’re towing is outfitted with "proper hitches, lighting, and braking systems."
Why the Sway?
The travel blog attributed "wiggling" trailers to several key factors. First and foremost: weight distribution. If the weight inside a towed vehicle isn’t spread evenly, this can culminate in unpredictable travel patterns. Also, "hitch connections [and] tires," should be checked often throughout one’s trip, Drivin’ & Vibin’ writes.
Motor1 previously reported on the type of damage heavy truck tires can sustain on prolonged trips. Uneven weight distribution may cause the rubber to wear more prematurely in some areas than others. Windy conditions or uneven roads can exacerbate these problems and could result in a situation similar to the one Kigar recorded and posted online.
Additionally, a travel-centric site, Living Tiny with a Wolf, stresses that only "experienced drivers" should be towing multiple payloads at once. It also mentioned that doing so "can be dangerous if not done properly," citing "added weight and length" as the main reason for potential accidents. The website also stated that drivers who are triple towing lose the ability to reverse until the towed cargo is unhooked and secured from their primary vehicles. Consequently, further route planning and adjustments to driving styles must be adopted as part of this setup.
Commenters React
People had varied responses to Kigar’s clip. One person thought her video provided clear evidence as to why skids appear on roads. "I always wondered how those tire marks happened! Now I know," they wrote.
Another was stunned by the driver’s ability to take control of the truck’s trailers. "Honestly that's baller to be able to pull out of it without the flip," the Facebook user stated.
However, there was someone else who speculated about the issue. One Facebook user, which states that it’s a Commercial Driver’s License School, noticed some details others may’ve overlooked. "Several replays of this, tarps are open, meaning the box is probably empty, and the axles are all down. If the drop axles are adjusted manually in the cab for the pressure of them, it will cause this effect. Definitely not AI. Good job paying attention on the road and avoiding getting wrapped up in an accident," it wrote.
Motor1 has reached out to Kigar and Billy’s CDL School via Facebook direct message for further information.
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