What happens to the truck and trailer in an accident? B&W failure?

[twinwashbrewing]

Just thought I would share my experience from an accident. My wife and I started our summer trip out with an accident in May near Redding CA. While driving on a two lane highway a mini van tried to cross the road and stopped directly in our path. We had no time to brake. All I could do was swerve to the right to avoid hitting on coming traffic. The speed limit was 55 and I was traveling about 45. I hit the front right of the van and was deflected into a telephone pole and ditch. Came to a full stop about 200' later. No injuries to either party and the van driver was 100% at fault. We have a 2022 395MS and were towing with a 2021 3500 Duramax SRW (I don't need any input on weight limits for this combo that's another thread ) The B&W Companion (24,000# model) sheared off the bolts allowing the camper to hit the cab and tail of the truck. The turnover insert and pin held with no issues. Truck was totaled and the camper is being repaired. It may not look like much to the camper but the repairs are around $34K. On the inside it just looked like a hard stop. Couple cabinets open etc. Our two motorcycles in the garage and washer/dryer did not move at all. Considering I was only doing 45 mph and did not make an immediate stop I was surprised the hitch failed. Luckily we are fully insured as the other driver only had the state minimum and it did not cover the totaled truck and damage to the camper. I just wanted to share as another example of you cannot be prepared for everything and be sure to carry enough insurance coverage!

 

[geotex1]

Wow! Glad all are OK. Honestly, this is the first time I've ever heard of an insurer not totaling a 5er that took so much force to the frame, and the hitch seperation says it all about the magnitude of that force!

 

[CoastieKarl]

Wow! Glad all are OK. Honestly, this is the first time I've ever heard of an insurer not totaling a 5er that took so much force to the frame, and the hitch seperation says it all about the magnitude of that force!

Thanks for sharing your experience and posting the reminder about proper insurance coverage. I'm glad y'all were not injured. Looking at the truck, you are very fortunate. Safe travels!

 

[lorend]

Glad your OK. Sorry about the rig. When you say the bolts sheared off I am thinking you are talking about the top half of the hitch. The part that is missing in the pictures is still attached to the pinbox? Amazing how much force the trailer had at that speed to do that to the Companion hitch.

 

[Jomani]

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate accident, but at least everyone was okay. Have you reached out to B&W? I would contact them and ask them to evaluate the failure. I can’t imagine that would be the expected result of a 45 MPH crash.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate accident, but at least everyone was okay. Have you reached out to B&W? I would contact them and ask them to evaluate the failure. I can’t imagine that would be the expected result of a 45 MPH crash.

I don't know, 20,000 lbs. moving 45mph and then trying to come to an immediate halt? Yeah, I can see bolts breaking.

 

[Recovering Workaoholic]

Glad you all are OK, but Momentum says it all, the bolts holding the fifth wheel head on a B & W Companion are only half inch bolts, four of them, and depending on how high the hitch it set that affects their shear load. Looks like the pins and quick attach portion held. Glad the cab was sufficient to protect you from the trailer. B & W makes a great hitch but the components can only take so much. The bolts holding the pinbox on the trailer are 5/8 so the weak point was the half inch bolts on the hitch, looks like the base stayed put. if they hadn't sheared then more force would have been applied to the impact at the front of the truck, which may have had a different end result than you experienced.

 

[huntindog]

I don't know, 20,000 lbs. moving 45mph and then trying to come to an immediate halt? Yeah, I can see bolts breaking.

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