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Jack knife while pulling forward

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by drover2000, Feb 4, 2013.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Feb 4, 2013 #1
    drover2000

    drover2000 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 14, 2012
    Indiana
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    Hi - I am having a debate with safety about a "preventable accident" and would appreciate any input from you folks out there that have some experience. So here is what happened - I pull forward on a customers lot - the lot is partly cleared and partly slushy - there was a layer of rain ice under the slush which unfortunately I wasnt aware of. I go to do a 180 degree turn before backing in to my dock. About 1/2 way round the turn there is a horrible crunching noise - the cab extender and the trailier made contact and the extender became history. I was doing about 3-5 mph.

    I completed the turn and then got out to have a look. As far as I can tell the tractor skidded out of the turn on the slush/ice about 1/2 way round thus creating a less than 90 degree angle needed for the tractor and trailer to make contact.

    Safety tell me its my fault for turning too sharp.

    As far as I know its impossible to jackknife a tractor/trailer while moving forward (reverse is different) as there is no way to get the angle sharp enough. I couldnt predict that there was a layer of ice under the slush I an arguing that it was not preventable.

    Anybody else jack-knifed like this? Anybody jack-knifed a trailer while moving forward in normal traction conditions?
     
    drover2000, Feb 4, 2013
    drover2000, Feb 4, 2013
    #1
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  3. Feb 4, 2013 #2
    Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    you cant win an arguement with safty office
    everything is preventable
    besides you have mirrors must be aware at all times
     
    Cranky Yankee, Feb 4, 2013
    Cranky Yankee, Feb 4, 2013
    #2
    platinum Thanks this.
  4. Feb 4, 2013 #3
    Dieselwrangler

    Dieselwrangler Light Load Member

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    Oct 16, 2011
    Edmonton, AB
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    Well yeah! What are you new..it's always the drivers fault. If the truck was stolen from the yard while you were home in bed, it would be because YOU probably forgot to lock the gate.
     
    Dieselwrangler, Feb 4, 2013
    Dieselwrangler, Feb 4, 2013
    #3
  5. Feb 4, 2013 #4
    JoeyJunk

    JoeyJunk Road Train Member

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    Dec 31, 2010
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    Sorry, I have to say this. How many jack knifed rigs on the highway do you think were going backwards? :biggrin_2559:
     
    JoeyJunk, Feb 4, 2013
    JoeyJunk, Feb 4, 2013
    #4
    losttrucker, DirtyBob, keepitsimple and 12 others Thank this.
  7. Feb 4, 2013 #5
    JoeyJunk

    JoeyJunk Road Train Member

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    Gravel, mud, snow, ice and even wet leaves can cause a jack knife.
     
    JoeyJunk, Feb 4, 2013
    JoeyJunk, Feb 4, 2013
    #5
    silenteagle Thanks this.
  8. Feb 4, 2013 #6
    tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    Oct 29, 2007
    Northern Ontario
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    Do you seriously think you couldn't have prevented this?

    Never tried but I'm sure I could get the trailer to contact the cab going forward.
     
    tinytim, Feb 4, 2013
    tinytim, Feb 4, 2013
    #6
    dibstr Thanks this.
  9. Feb 4, 2013 #7
    Elendil

    Elendil Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 27, 2011
    Ottawa, IL
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    Were you driving the truck? If yes, ,then it is your fault and is preventable. You should be aware of the condition of the surfaces you are driving on and adjust your speed and steering accordingly. You failed to do that and thus it is preventable.
     
    Elendil, Feb 4, 2013
    Elendil, Feb 4, 2013
    #7
  10. Feb 4, 2013 #8
    Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    Green Bay Wi
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    i was surprised when i hit a deer and they said that was not preventable
     
    Cranky Yankee, Feb 4, 2013
    Cranky Yankee, Feb 4, 2013
    #8
    Logan76 Thanks this.
  11. Feb 4, 2013 #9
    379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    rolling through hell
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    Judging by the op original statment that you cant jack knife a truck going forward...all of them lol
     
    379exhd, Feb 4, 2013
    379exhd, Feb 4, 2013
    #9
    perufb and losttrucker Thank this.
  12. Feb 4, 2013 #10
    Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Burnsville, MN
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    A deer hit my truck once, and not once did anyone say it was preventable.
    Probably because the deer hit the truck - I did not run into the deer, the deer ran into me.

    If you report it and begin with, "I just hit a deer,..." then you are admitting guilt and it might be deemed as a preventable accident.


    I have to agree that the accident of the OP was preventable.
    You lost control of the vehicle if the drives lost traction and skidded around, plus it sounds like you were going too fast considering the conditions.
    Add to that, that you failed to even notice it until it was too late.
     
    Moosetek13, Feb 4, 2013
    Moosetek13, Feb 4, 2013
    #10
    silenteagle and LaBubba Thank this.
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