Near Tragedy

[ski boy]

The Background - I have been the butt of a few good-natured jokes from the family and friends re my near obsession with everything safety when it comes to the t and t. (EBC truck brakes all around, Kodiak electro- hydraulic discs and HD pads on the trailer)
The Incident - Coming through Sioux City, Iowa on the interstate, in a construction area but the limit was still 50, a mini van blows through a Yield sign on the entry ramp to the interstate right in front of me, realizes that she has not looked or stopped to wait for a break in the very heavy traffic and comes to a DEAD STOP completely in the outside driving lane in front of yours truly.
Beside me, an 18 wheeler passing, behind me, a car followed by a concrete mixer truck - all doing the limit; to the right, a guardrail protecting the highway from the mighty Missiouri river. Absolutely no where to go.
I hit the brakes harder than I ever have with a heavy trailer in tow - I'm pleased to say that I did not jacknife, lose control or kill the idiot in front of me but it was very, very close...I heard all tires squeal on the verge of lock up (trailer has ABS too) and I smelt fried brake pad for about two hours after.
Of course the van driver drove off after a few seconds without a care in the world.
If I had been looking in the rear view or GPS for a nano-second it would have been tragic (somehow, the drivers behind me did not hit me - I was waiting for the crash, given the usual tail-gating that goes on.)
Moral of the story; pay attention always - sometimes the stupidest thing that can happen, does. Be safe!

[Rob & Cathy]

Whoa! That was close!

Rob

[teallen]

Wow, glad you are all right. I have run into my share of those idiots too.

[Double D's]

GOOD GRIEF!!!!!! Did you have to pull over and change out your DRAWERS??????????????

[ski boy]

I checked 'em for sure. I had to close a few drawers after I looked inside the trailer though! I took the next day off - just sat in the RV park and drank a beer or three...

[bigdaddy1]

Been there, done that! Love it when people pull in front of you then just stop!

[The sailor]

That is when I use my big air horn to get through to the fool, glad all is well..........Capt Jim

[Mike Clay]

Yes unfortunately this is a common problem. Glad all is well with you.

[Dale Crenshaw]

Ski Boy,
I had nearly the same thing happen to me, too. Just West of Memphis, TN about 5:00 am, I came up on traffic stopped while crossing a bridge because of a wreck ahead. Large truck on my right and bridge gaurd on my left since I was passing the truck. Locked all brakes and when I got stopped, a grey cloud of burned rubber from the trailer tires engulfed me. Trailer just stopped with no sway. Did not hit truck or cement bridge wall. Gotta love those disc brakes.
Dale

[ski boy]

Incidents like these are the reasons why I leave a large space cushion in front...now if I could just get people to stop pulling into the gap it would be great.

[Don Wilson]

Incidents like these are the reasons why I leave a large space cushion in front...now if I could just get people to stop pulling into the gap it would be great.

The worst thing is they pull into that gap and then slow down! If you figure out how to stop them let us know!

Don