The mega-trailer had an "oopsie" in all the rain we've had over the last couple of days.

Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but that lower forward boat's starboard hull has a funny bend to it.

Looks like the tow vehicle (Ken Hilk's) took some hits, too.

Here's hoping all is well and working out quickly with insurance and such. Glad to hear there were no injuries.

I had my trailer hydroplane once and it was scary, I can't fathom what went through his mind as the 6 boat trailer got away from him.

That is a sad scene. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

GARY

Thank God everyone is OK. That must have been extremely scary.

Mike

I adjusted the photo in PhotoShop to bring out some of the details.

The highway is on the right (you can see the spray cloud caused by traffic), woods to the left. The trailer is more or less facing in the right direction; the SUV is pointing the wrong way.

Looks like they tried to stop; the trailer had other ideas and took them on a trip backwards through the mud. Fortunately, it was just mud and not trees and/or concrete. Damage appears to be limited to the back window / side of the car and the one boat with a broken hull. Hard to tell if the trailer tongue was bent.

Extracting that from the soft mud on the side of the road must have been interesting.

I passed by there (with a double-stack) about an hour before it happened and it was pouring rain. Lots of cars spun out into the ditches. Hydroplane city. A 6-mile stretch of I-94 was closed due to flooding.

OMG the accident blew the tramps right off!!!

Div 11 needs to find someone with a real tow vehicle.

I'm not sure if that counts as the official beginning of the "I told you so" part of this thread...but it only took 8 posts this time. I had bet myself it would take 12. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously though, that sucks for Ken. That can't be a happy place. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I tip-toe'd on how to write that. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Just a point of reference. Was the trailer equipped with brakes?

Yes. Fully loaded (which it wasn't in this case), it weighs about 6,000 lbs.

Pat lost his sails out the back and we lost the trailer axle on the way to Clear, and had two flat tires on the way back. Thought that the bad luck couldn't get worse til I read this. Wouldn't wish it on anyone Ken. You are the MAN! Hope all ends up well. We'll never forget the zen-master of 1-3 zephyr winds on the last race of the 2008 H16 NA's. He really showed us how!

Eh. That Expedition is rated for 9,000 lbs. They've only got about 2,040 lbs of boat on the trailer. Figure another 3,000 for the trailer itself and gear.

Is it an Expedition, or an Explorer? Either way that's alot of windage and weight up high for a lightly sprung, short wheelbase wehicle. I'm guessing it didn't jack-knife until it hit the ditch. Had the vehicle gone in at full tilt & sideways it would've ended much worse.

Thats one of those new Expidition XL jobs. Kind of like an Excursion in length and I would be it has the V10 in it. Its a big butt truck and had no problem pulling it around from what I saw both times I have seen it. Even Karl's tractor might have jack knifed in this weather.

So after this happens there are about 8 cars with Hobie trailers that stop on the side of the road since we are all driving home at the same time. Everyone in Kens car gets in a car with Wally and Rich and what do you know they blow out a tire. OK no problem they have a full sized spare and fix the tire. Wally and Rich drop everyone off at Ken's and a little while later Wally's trailer tongue snaps in half. The boat is ok but he has to go back to Ken's and fetch some wood for a splint so he can make it home with the boat. I'm sure those guys are happy to be home.

Hmmm....

I was following Wally north on the way to RI 16 NA and saw his forward mast caddy snap sending his mast into the other lane..

Once again... no damage... no problem... roadside repair and kept on going.

I think Wally needs a new trailer!

Yeah, buy a Dodge

ditto!

the "tow ratings" advertised by the manufactures are BS... hence why i see so many 1/2 ton trucks pulling goose neck and 5th wheel trailers these days. Think I'll stick to my F350 for tow duty.