Site Search
Print Page Setup Profile Login
You have 4 items in your shopping cart
Section Image

5th Wheeler with no roof

Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 10:27

Mikee5 (Logan QLD)

Saw on the news last night the result of towing a 5th wheeler under a 3 metre bridge in Melbourne. The poor family sold their home in Qld and poured all of their funds into a large 5th wheeler and truck. Got lost in Melbourne and went under the low bridge. The truck fitted, so did the first metre or so of the van. The rest of the roof and back wall was ripped off and shredded. Could see inside to the luxury recliner chairs and front loading washing machine. Also saw big sign warning of low clearance.

Click Image to Enlarge
Mike
Advertisement
ThreadID: 54175 Replies: 10
Views: 985 FollowUps: 20
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
Thread Watch Back To Forum Alert Moderator FAQ
AnswerID: 285300   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 10:41

madfisher replied:

You have got to feel for the poor buggars, it is so easy to get lost in a strange city, especially when you are getting on a bit
Pete
Reply 1 of 10
AnswerID: 285301   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 10:51

Bonz (Vic) replied:

hmm it said CLEARANCE 3.0M on the bridge, surely when you are towing something like that you know how high your rig is????

The stupid presenter suggested that maybe it was time to do something about this low clearance bridge on Montague St, I think they should sharpen the steel protecting girder to make the cutting easier......

Oh and I guess a BIG SIGN a bit back down the road saying low clearance ahead would be nice too.

Is it harsh to expect someone to take responsibility for themselves? I think not.

Click Image to Enlarge
.
Ever wonder what the speed of lightning would be if it didn't zigzag?
.
Lifetime Member: My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
Reply 2 of 10
FollowupID: 550106   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 10:57

Kev & Darkie posted:

I wonder how they would go with an insurance claim.

"The bridge saw us comming and just lower itself so we didn't fit, honest" LOL

Kev
The Pyrenees
Click Image to Enlarge
I am NOW living in Chinchilla, the Australian Melon Capital ;)
Lifetime Member: My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 550111   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 11:01

SteveL posted:

I think you are being a bit harsh on the old bloke.It is not so difficult to do if you are in an unfamiliar city in a vehicle that he only bought recently.Plenty of locals have hit that bridge.
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 550174   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 13:29

Member - John (Vic) posted:

No issue with insurance, thats what you pay it for.
The bloke was elderly and made a mistake nothing more nothing less.

Its a $hit bridge and certainly deserves some attention from Mr Brumby.
Canning Stock Route - June 2009
Click Image to Enlarge
Photo 1 - Canning Stock Route - June 2009
Photo 2 - Flinders Ranges - July 2009

VKS737 - Mobile 6352 (Selcall 6352)

FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 285303   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 10:59

_gmd_pps replied:

why would you feel sorry ?
drivers like this should not be on the road. one should be happy that it ended this way and no innocent person got killed.
gmd
Reply 3 of 10
FollowupID: 550132   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 11:49

fisho64 posted:

that can also be said about people who dont strap their kids in properly, dont indicate properly, speed, park dangerously, run orange lights etc etc, depends how radical you are?

Might be going a bit far to say that?
FollowUp 1 of 15
FollowupID: 550154   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 12:25

Outnabout David (SA) posted:

Obviously you guys are perfect. I quite often in a lapse of concentration forget that I have the roof rack on when going in supermarket/shopping centre carparks. Lucky I have my "height indicatior" UHF antenna that reminds me when it touches.

What you don't see above or behind is easy to forget it i there.

Go easy on the bugga he probably was very tired after a long drive and in a strange city.........very easy done me thinks.

Click Image to Enlarge
We have so little time to enjoy our land
FollowUp 2 of 15
FollowupID: 550166   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 12:57

Kumunara (NT) posted:

_gmd_pps


It must be nice to be perfect.

Most of us are unfortunately not. I realise he has made a stupid mistake. We all do at times. Some of us who are not perfect are able to show compassion.

I saw the item on three channels. Not one of them refered to it as a 5th wheeler. They came up with numerous names. If the media makes that many mistakes should they cease to report events.



Tjilpi




Ain't Life Great
Click Image to Enlarge
Life's great and it just keeps getting better
FollowUp 3 of 15
FollowupID: 550214   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 15:54

_gmd_pps posted:

It is not about being perfect or not.
Now assume when this would have been a road train driver with livestock on board. What would you say ??
I do not measure with different measures and I expect the same care from a 5thwheel driver, caravan tower, boat tower or whatever you are driving/towing when you are part of the public road system.
The truck driver would be fired and called gross negligent.
So why should I feel different about a gray nomad with possible heart attack risk every 100ks and being nightblind or getting disorientated in a strange city. those people should NOT be on the road.
I would vote for a night drive ban of all towed vehicles over a certain size unless drivers have full truck driver qualifications.
One can make a stuoid mistake, but this is not the stupida mistake category anymore.

good luck
gmd
FollowUp 4 of 15
FollowupID: 550227   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:24

PajeroTD posted:

GMD, no doubt you only have 3rd party insurance, cos you would NEVER have an accident at your fault.. You wouldnt pay registration either, cos people like you OWN the road, you should collect registration fees from all the other road users, and have your own law enforcement, because you must be the driver of the century. Everyone makes mistakes, and failure to recognize that DEFINATELY makes you over-confident and a danger to ALL other motorists and pedestrians!!!...See how dumb it sounds when people generalize your crappy driving skills??? Not nice is it?
FollowUp 5 of 15
FollowupID: 550228   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:29

Gramps (NSW) posted:





Regards


Al


Have you noticed that your memories, prior to colour TV, are in black and white
FollowUp 6 of 15
FollowupID: 550253   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 17:37

Member - Pesty (SA) posted:

GMD,
Hate to tell you mate, but your not the only one who does/has driven trucks for a living, and i dont like to burst your bubble, but if this was an articulated vehicle with a prime mover I reckon he would have had to have a truck lic to suit, he may even be an ex trucky, dont know myself, dont know him nor did I see the news report, but it must be a hell of a drain on your mind to be so perfect !!!
Hope i dont have to help with your rescue when you come unstuck while passing through our patch of the woods!

Cheers Pesty

Click Image to Enlarge
Pic 1 Mad Max Hill Silverton
Pic 2 Camped on beach at Tiddy Widdy

Happiest Cruiser-in Oz !!
FollowUp 7 of 15
FollowupID: 550254   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 17:38

Member - barry F (NSW) posted:

WOW!! Hey there, Please never assume Anything because ASSUME can make an ASS out of U and ME.

Or maybe seeing you live in a perfect world you are also immune to making any manner of misjudgement. If you had your life over again you would do it all the same? Probably not. Cheers.
FollowUp 8 of 15
FollowupID: 550256   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 17:44

Dunco (NSW) posted:

GMD,

Chill out mate, people make mistakes in life. This time it didn't hurt anyone so don't say "What if...?" No such thing mate...it didn't, get on with life.

I feel sorry for them...I wish I had never made a mistake in my life...hahaha



Click Image to Enlarge
Dunco
FollowUp 9 of 15
FollowupID: 550423   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 09:45

_gmd_pps posted:

I never drove trucks for a living and yes all my cars including my truck have only third party insurance. I have no accident since 36 years and the only worry I have is theft and vanadalism in this country with so little protection and lenient sentences. With so many people struggelling now with their payments one would start thinking about fully comprehensive when such an idiot runs into you because it is hard to reach into a naked mans pocket. That would be my main concern, not me causing an accident in such a stupid and negligent way.
good luck to you all and hope with all your mistakes you won't cross my path, because it is obviously normal in this country to bump into others cars and drive off.

gmd
FollowUp 10 of 15
FollowupID: 550424   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 09:52

Dunco (NSW) posted:

A couple of things GMD.

Have you ever had a close call that was your fault (any type) ?
Have you ever made a mistake whilst driving that did not cause an accident ?

If your answer to these questions is NO, then you are either telling fibs, or one of those drivers that although may not have an accident in 36 years, has caused plenty.

have a good day mate and remember we are all fallible and WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES IN LIFE.

Click Image to Enlarge
Dunco
FollowUp 11 of 15
FollowupID: 550479   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 13:12

PajeroTD posted:

The difference is GMD, not that we are less superior to you, we acknowledge, like any decent human being would, that we all make silly little mistakes. It's the ones who don't acknowledge their weaknesses who are over-confident and end up learning it the hard way, while they take someone else out with them - unfortunately. We all can agree on one thing though, we hope we stay out of your way too. Obviously you think all the roads in the world were built just for you. Too bad the bridges werent designed to accomodate trucks, busses and RVs.
FollowUp 12 of 15
FollowupID: 550603   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 19:00

Member - Roachie (SA) posted:

:party: :evil:


Click Image to Enlarge
There's only one thing more painful than learning from experience and that is NOT learning from experience!
FollowUp 13 of 15
FollowupID: 550605   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 19:01

Member - Roachie (SA) posted:

DAMN: I tried to copy and paste some emicons (or whatever they're called) that says "THIS POST IS USELESS WITHOUT PHOTOS".....

Click Image to Enlarge
There's only one thing more painful than learning from experience and that is NOT learning from experience!
FollowUp 14 of 15
FollowupID: 550607   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 19:05

Member - Roachie (SA) posted:


Click Image to Enlarge
There's only one thing more painful than learning from experience and that is NOT learning from experience!
FollowUp 15 of 15
AnswerID: 285306   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 11:06

nowimnumberone replied:

i was talking to an insurance bloke last week who came to write of one of our customers hiluxs from water damage and he said insure companys should have a stupidty clause where if its bleeding obvious that centain things are going to work.
(1)4wd hilux wont cross 6 foot deep water crossing.
(2)big van wont fit under 3 metre bridge.
etc then there should be no cover for them.
i know the bridge they hit and its pretty clear well b4 they went under it about the size.
Reply 4 of 10
Activities Index
Story Bridge Climb - Brisbane Story Bridge Climb - Brisbane
Brisbane - QLD
Join us for the most exciting, new experience in Brisbane.
Jet Boat Thrill Ride, Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Thrill Ride, Sydney Harbour
Sydney - NSW
Experience one of the best 30 minutes rides in Sydney!
6 Day Kangaroo Island, Lake Eyre and Coober Pedy 6 Day Kangaroo Island, Lake Eyre and Coober P
Adelaide - SA
On this 6 day tour we spend 2 days on Kangaroo Island followed by 4 days touring the South Australia
V8 SUPER DRIVE - VIC V8 SUPER DRIVE - VIC
Melbourne - VIC
Experience V8 Racing / Driving at its best, with the best, you and a professional race car driver be
Book Now - Things To Do
AnswerID: 285312   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 11:29

madfisher replied:

Hands up anybody who has never made a stupid mistake in their life, I certainly have just have not paid as big a price as these poor buggars. Put the rear wheel of a concrete agi into a large pier hole once
Cheers Pete
Reply 5 of 10
FollowupID: 550125   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 11:34

Gramps (NSW) posted:


LOL forget it Pete. You're talking to the all knowing, perfect ones who never make mistakes.

They're just happy to poke fun at someones misfortune.

Regards


Al


Have you noticed that your memories, prior to colour TV, are in black and white
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 550127   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 11:37

SteveL posted:

I agree,very easy to be critical when the largest/longest thing you have ever driven is a Landcruiser.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 285358   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 14:08

lizard replied:

Feel for these people , and this could happen to me (I too am not perfect) ... I have seen several low bridges/crossings that have low level warnings (like balls hanging from chains at that height - prior to the crossing/bridge) ..... so you hit them and warns you - negligible damage - maybe authorities should put more of these in ... these are not the first , and will not be the last to hit these things .
Reply 6 of 10
AnswerID: 285370   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 15:08

John S (NSW) replied:

I too feel sorry for these poor people - not the best way to enjoy a new city. But in saying that, every time I haul something that is higher than the car, I always check the height.

Any low bridges, etc on main roads should have vehicle height sensors and lights that activate if you are too high to warn you. They have them for trucks on major routes, why not for smaller vehicles on secondary roads ?? especially at known black spots.

Since I have been driving 4WD's as work vehicles, I have gotten paranoid about height clearance. My way to over come the 'forgetfulness' is to mount a UHF aerial that is 50-75mm higher than the 4WD. If you hit the aerial - STOP. If you can't find the right height UHF, grab on old 27Mhz aerial and cut to size (or those fibreglass cattle whips you get from Ag Field Days and spring mount them). Since using this concept, not one of our employees has damaged the top of a vehicle and the wife thinks its such a cool idea and now takes the Cruiser underground.

As my father once said - common-sense is learnt not inherited.
You cant beat a V8 Ute to help you thru a mid life crisis.
Click Image to Enlarge
I've said it before, and will say it again - bleep Happens !! Get over it.......
Reply 7 of 10
AnswerID: 285380   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 15:50

wheeleybin replied:

It can happen to anyone experienced or not.

Back in the sixties an R&H Transport left Bundaberg with a brand new calandria (I hope thats right) for Broadwater Mill and got it jammed under a low level bridge in Brisbane.

One buggered unit.

The driver had been driving the NQ Express run for years.

Im not perfect and the only ones that have the right to condemn the old fella in Melbourne are the ones that are.



Reply 8 of 10
AnswerID: 285480   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 07:49

Member - Bucky (VIC) replied:

Does it not get back to the old saying,,,

Know your load, look around, and obey the signs.

That's what they are there for..

I still feel sorry for them, POOR BUGGERS ! ( what a beautiful setup ) But it does not alter the fact, that they have not done their homework.

Cheers
Bucky
I must obey !
Click Image to Enlarge
I must obey,, I must obey,, I must obey !
Reply 9 of 10
AnswerID: 285657   Submitted: Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 20:47

Member - Dashy (QLD) replied:

Poor Bugger, anyone here ever been with their grandparents on a trip or doing something out of the norm? Do you remember when your grandpa made a boo boo or took a wrong turn, how hard did ya grandma rip it up him. I feel greatly sorry for him. Not to mention that there dreams are smashed on the road ending their trip.

Dashy.

PS not all of us are perfect. Learn by his mistake, I know I will.
Reply 10 of 10