31' Airstream, Suburban Rollover!!!

[BigBen835]

Topic Originally Created on Tow411 in August of 2009:

 

Hot summer day, (for Wisconsin), Wisconsin state patrol calls for flatbed to recover travel trailer in ditch eastbound median. Sent out a unit right away,

 

The traffic is really backing up. All the light duty guys are out, soooooo I jump in a rollback and head out. Got to west to get there, I crest the hill and see a LONG back up, then I see THIS. Grab the mic, " Someone, anyone climb in my truck and head this way NOW!!

 

Swing around at next exit, and head east lights blazing, jump on median shoulder. I arrive 15 minutes later, (had to go 3 miles) the trooper walks up and says "Get this out fast, its rush hour!!!"

 

My response is "What am I going to do with me 21' carrier?" I get the deer in the headlights look, I'm sure we all know it. "What are we going to do, district is going to have a fit." he says. Relax I have "SUPER TATOR" on the way. He says "HOW LONG WILL THAT TAKE?". "Now, if you would have requested the proper equipment it would be here already."

 

Needless to say, another 20 minutes my truck gets there with Dan at the helm. Trooper walks up again and says "Troop commander says you have 1 hour or we will have to do it tonite at midnight." No problem, yeah right! So, I do the only thing I could think of. Set up, lift it, swing it to rear, lock boom, and go 1/4 mile to scale entrance. I know this is probably not going to go over well with some, but it was crunch time. Just trying to keep the super slab flowing and our troopers happy. Created a 5 mile back up, and no secondary crashes.

 

Midnight didn't sound like fun to me, I've been on days FOREVER!!! Its really dark then---LOL!!! Our fearless leader shows up during rigging process, and asks what the plan is, I tell him, and he gives me that look like your going to do WHAT!! But he did agree that it was the only option right now. Had to think fast & outside the box----alittle. This was 1 of 4 travel trailer rollovers in a 9 day period on this same 3 mile stretch of I94. Overall damage was moderate, no additional damage from lift. Insurance did total unit. Changed a tire with spare, aired one up, and off to the shop.

 

Thanks for looking, be safe.

 

 

Niemans Towing  said:

WOW nice job on clearing the road

 

Jamie Dougherty said:

You are a braver man than I. It looks like in the photo while you are driving it is already upright, If it was why not spin it and hook it properly on the shoulder? Just a question not trying to bash.

JAMIE DOUGHERTY
JANEWAY TOWING

 

BigBen835 said:

Thanks for replies, both left side tires flat, rims not so good. Again went a 1/4 mile to scale parking lot, and as I stated changed tires and towed properly. And if I would have spun it to the right or rear either way the whole interstate was blocked while hooking for tow. I figured some would not approve but TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK. LOL!

 

Miracle1 said:

Not your everyday practice, but it got the job at hand done I'm sure all involved were happy don't see a problem we've all done unorthadox things when in a pinch. stay safe Kenny

Kenny Miracle
''Miracles Do Happen Here''

 

BigWheelRecovery  said:

Nice show of power that is a different recovery .Thanks Eric

 

TowThis2002 said:

Just asking -
Did you unfold the under-reach and chain it to the crossbar to keep from swinging?

That must have been neat to see driving down the other way(Westbound?)...

 

Soonertator said:

I think you did what you had to do. Some on here may criticize but I am willing to bet that the troopers wont even hesitate to call you next time they need some "out of the box" type help. Good job

 

Blue Stripe said:

Obviously there were no bridges along your route? LOL

There lies the dilemma of doing it the right way, or keeping the state troopers happy. Keeping the state happy is very important. My idea would be to give the trooper 2 choices, we do it this way (the way you did) or I do it the right way here at the scene and its going to take longer. If they choose option A, explain to them that you will need him to escort (behind) you to where ever you're moving it to. Tell them its their responsibility to keep cars from attempting to pass this "wide load". If they can agree to that, then your road is clear in 10 minutes (or however long) Always leave the liability on the PD whenever possible, especially if they're asking you to do something out of the ordinary.

Chris Flynn, WM 091008
Boardman Towing & Recovery