Should Check Your Mirrors Every Now and Again!

[Alpine]

A gentleman passed me today (fifthwheel) on Interstate 20 in Texas spraying rubber all over the road. Doing no less than 75 mph, the flapping sound was extremely loud as he passed. I flashed my brights at least 30 times before he disappeared in the distance. I very much expected to see him shortly thinking his other tire would give-out or he would notice. I checked the mileage.... and he made it 50 miles before I snapped a photo of him changing the tire. That other tire held up saving him from worse matters! Hope the damage was not too severe. I would have liked to pull over to help, but did not want to compound issues with such a narrow emergency lane.

[gkainz]

I pull our 5th wheel like I was flying on instruments. My scan is pretty regular between road, left mirror, gauges, road, right mirror. My wife keeps asking me “what’s wrong? Why do you keep looking over there?” And I tell her “nothing’s wrong and I want it to stay that way”.

[Dave W]

Not unusual in my opinion that many people are numb to what's behind them in the matter of trailer towing. Most do not have a TPMS, many don't have decent or even extended mirrors. Then there are those folks that don't have a 'feel' for the handling characteristics. Every time I have someone pass me at near warp speed (my speed is 65-70 depending on the road), I think to myself, "Did he replace those China Bombs before driving that fast?"

[CWtheMan]

Running at highway speeds I always use cruise control. Even on the flat and level the RPMs will increase when you lose a tire. My diesel just adjusted and kept on going the same speed.

That's from experience.