Relating to the other thread on having the right towing equipment, It's apparant that many of us are towing rigs which in some instances far exceed the rated capacities.

Has anyone ever been involved in a wreck while towing with insufficient equipment? What happened? Was the towing equipment ever a factor with insurance or the accident itself?

uhhhhh, ask Madcow.

Baja..
I was involved in one and witnessed another. Both caused by the trailer tongue cup and tow ball not being compatible. Neither however were serious enough to involve insurance.

The one that surprised me most was at Mt Dora when they were pulling , what appeared to be a very costly vintage Chris Craft up the ramp and the trailer poped off the ball.

The other event was during my "Return from hell" trip I posted last year. That one almost flipped the tow vehicle we were in...

Does this count?.............

"Ummm....a little help here please!!!!!!!!!"

Here is what I was told by my insurance agent. If you are involved in an accident towing something, the FIRST thing the insurance company does is check to see if what you are towing exceeds the factory tow rating of the tow vehicle. If it does, your insurance is null and void and you are NOT covered. I double checked this with five other companies and was told the exact same thing. At the time I had purchased a new 99 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4, regular cab, 360 motor with the HD tow package. The factory rated the tow capacity at 7,800 lbs. Then I bought "Outlaw". The truck towed the boat okay, or at least I thought so. Then the insurace issue came up and forced me to upgrade to an 01 Dodge 2500 quad cab 4x4 with the V-10, 4:10 gears, HD everything, and that is rated at 12,700 lbs. The funny thing is the gas mileage is only about 1.5 mpg difference. My only complaint with the Dodge is the tranny, which I understand after nine years has finally been fixed. Nice of them huh????? I do admit that this truck does not even know that Outlaw is back there. It will roll effortlessly down I-75 at 75 mph, though I normally don't drive that fast with the boat in tow.

Thanks Russ...That's what I was looking for.

Yea Madcow had a bad one I still could not believe the road rash on his arm. ouch.

Do a search ,The pictures should be still on here.


I have been close but lucky.

Rob

This accident occured last year on I-95 near Jacksonville.

28' Pantera being towed. Boat is back together now and new owner expects to race it this year.

Jo Wow what a shame..