tl;dr: I’m fine. Trailer is mostly fine. Subaru is driveable. And the whiskey bottle didn’t break either 🙂
In the beginning
While driving from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Fort Davis, Texas last week, I ran into with gusty winds with no warning, had a sway situation, and went off the road about 10 miles away from Fort Davis.
Before I left that morning, I had read the weather forecast closely, as I always do. The winds around Ford Davis were predicted to be 15-20 miles an hour. I’d driven many times in wind like that, so I wasn’t worried. As I got closer to Fort Davis, I could see that the mountain route I didn’t take had cloud cover and hints of snow on the mountains. I had full sun with a beautiful blue skies with puffy clouds. I was almost home for the night.
Then the trailer started to sway. I felt it before I saw it in my rear view mirror. My right hand moved to the trailer brake and hit the panic button and I kept an even speed. I’d visualized this situation, so I knew what I was supposed to do. For a few seconds, I felt the trailer falling back in line and I thought I was going to be OK. Then what felt like a big hand hitting the back of the trailer pushed it to the right and I felt the car go left and it all went wrong. I was no longer in control. The car headed off the road with trailer swinging behind it and I hit the brakes to try and slow the inevitable collision with whatever was ahead.
And then everything stopped. Everything was silent. I didn’t even realize the air bags hadn’t deployed. I didn’t check to see if I was OK. I pushed the door and looked behind me to see where my trailer was. It was upright. Not rolled over, not in pieces. On the hitch still. I breathed a small sigh of relief. Everything else was fixable as long as the trailer was in one piece.
A Fine Mess
There I was, in the middle of West Texas, completely stuck, with no signal on my cell phone. I looked up to see a white pickup coming down the road and before I could even wave my arms in what I hoped was a “Please stop” kind of signal, I could see it slowing and moving onto the shoulder. The friendly man driving quickly called his brother-in-law, who was working nearby come over and take a look. About two minutes later, a big official-looking truck with emergency lights on pulled over. The local game warden just happened to be heading home to Fort Davis. He radioed the county sheriff to call the Department of Public Safety and got out to see what he could do.
While we waited for more help to arrive, the game warden dug out a small saw, and he and Elizabeth and I worked to clear branches, grass, and cactus from around the side of the trailer and the car. The brother-in-law and another guy showed up and quickly assessed the situation as needing more tools so they went off to get resupplied.
Those two guys, Roy and Tony, I think that was their names, turned out to be the miracle workers of the day. They told me they’d pulled people out of similar situations, so I stood back and let ‘em have at it. They jacked up the back of the Subaru and put the spare (donut) tire on since the real tire had come off the bead. Then they jacked up the front of the Subaru and crawled under it with the chainsaw to cut down and the mesquite bush I’d run over, so that reversing the car wouldn’t add to any damage. They didn’t see much wrong structurally at that point so they decided to go ahead and pull the rig from the trailer bumper till the wheels got traction, then let the Subaru back it all up, if it could.
Meanwhile, the game warden and the sheriff were cutting the barbed wire and the wire fencing I had run through, so that those things wouldn’t cause more harm either (let’s just say barbed wire left its mark on my hood, front fender, right quarter-panel, and the windshield.
As the guys were doing their thing, the state trooper took my license and insurance details, photographed the rig and the skid marks on the road, and did whatever else he needed to do to file an accident report. I asked him if there was anything I could have done to avoid this. He said the wind comes down off the mountains fast and furious sometimes and I was just kind of in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’d seen worse, he said, some have gone several car lengths farther into the fields or flipped the trailer and car. I was lucky, he said.
Roy and Tony slowly and carefully pulled and pushed until all six tires were out of their red dirt ruts and Tony had enough traction to steer the Subaru. Roy dropped the chain and Tony backed the trailer and car out into the road and then onto the shoulder. At this point we had three emergency vehicles with flashers going, so I didn’t have to worry about being in the way of any other traffic while my rig blocked the road.
Seeing Bella and Breeze on the side of the road, looking level and mostly unharmed was when I started to cry, tears of relief rather than fear. Breeze looked fine except for 1-inch hole where a branch had punched clear through the front wall; it missed every wire and electronic thing in that area, though.
The LEOs and Tony and Roy swarmed the car, hitch, and trailer, looking for leaks, bent stuff, or anything else that might be bad news. Everyone agreed it was definitely drivable to the campground, and one deputy sheriff said he’d follow me there with flashers on, since he didn’t want me going faster than 30 mph with that donut of a spare tire on the car. I hugged everyone, passed out my little business cards, and told them this was going to be a great story on my blog, once I calmed down enough to write it.
Back On the Road
I checked my hitch, and my lights, then slowly signaled left to get back on the road. I was listening for any new noises and the sheriff was looking for leaks or any other signs of trouble. We slowly caravanned through Fort Davis, where I noted the location of the local service station where I’d be tomorrow putting the car up on the rack and getting the tire remounted, and then turned left up the road to the state park. It was definitely comforting to see the headlights of the sheriff’s car behind me all the way. I turned into the state park, and he vanished, so I didn’t get to thank him for the escort.
I pulled into my campsite, unhitched and went inside. It was a mess: every shelf had come off the rails, every drawer had come loose and pretty much everything that wasn’t secured was at the front of the trailer, under the table, thrown forward by the force of the stop. Drawers and shelves were put back in place, bed remade, and, eventually, a small dinner consumed and the unbroken whisky bottle provided a shot to calm my nerves. Before the light faded completely, I looked under the trailer with a flashlight and couldn’t see any damage. The electric hookup worked, the propane heater and burners worked, and the plumbing seemed undamaged.
Preparation Pays Off
I think the trailer brake panic button did what it was supposed to do, it slowed down the trailer, and if the second gust hadn’t hit me, I might have been OK. And while it didn’t prevent the accident, I think it played a big part in keeping the trailer upright. I had, since the day I picked up my trailer, practiced reaching for the panic button, so my muscle memory took over as soon as I realized I had sway. That and visualizing how I would react in a sway situation definitely helped me react better than if I’d never thought about it:
- Don’t slam on the car brakes.
- Steady speed, slow down gradually if possible. Remember rule #1.
- Steer straight ahead, if possible.
If you tow a trailer…
(1) My sales rep, Denis, told me to practice the panic button move and it paid off in that 13 seconds.
(2) The Alto couple who rolled their trailer in New Mexico the year before I picked up have been generous about sharing that frightening experience and it was hearing their story that made me sit down and learn what to do in case of a sway event, and that helped me do the right thing last week.
I owe all three of these people a huge debt of gratitude for their advice and experience. The reason I’m writing this post is so you can learn from my story, prepare for the worst, and maybe do better if you find themselves in a similar situation.
In Closing
I am completely grateful, and lucky, that I’m fine, my car is drivable, and the Alto is fine except for that little hole in the wall. It could have ended much worse, and I think about that every day. Sometimes you’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but you can still be lucky enough to walk away from it.
I am forever grateful for the kind people of Fort Davis who stopped and helped me out just because that’s what people do in West Texas. If any of y’all are reading this, you’re the best, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I think you’ve really got to wait and see how things play out. Sometimes a decision you might consider a regret or failure in the present can turn out to be the catalyst for something extraordinary in the end. Some of life’s wildest journeys begin with a wrong turn.
Wow! Some places have high wind strong enough to push the vehicles off the road. I remember driving a conversion van going to NM through western TX and through I had steering issue because I was like turning right while driving straight until I saw the front wheel of 18 wheels truck doing the same.
Many on FB page keep asking about towing vehicles. Now I’m curious about yours. What model of Subaru did you drive?
West Texas is certainly somewhere I think twice about driving through, not only the wind but the big rigs going 80+ mph on I-10. I drove a Subaru Outback 3.6R. You can read more about it at this link: https://wynnworlds.com/trailer-life/faq-towing-with-subaru-outback/
Came to read from Green Goddess Glamping, though I think I’m following you now. So glad it turned out as good as it did. Kind of scary though. You make a good argument for preparing for the worst and having a plan and practicing until it’s natural.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
The tl;dr made me want to read the whole article; I’ll have to remember how you did that. I’m sorry this happened to you but I do love to hear about people helping strangers like this.
I’m responding even though you’re probably too busy to get back to any comments. I don’t know about you, but for me writing through an experience helps me process it. I’m glad you’re well and am considering writing my own blog post about yours–with a link to yours for reading the real McCoy. Hope you’re back on the road soon. Wind off the mountains can be the worst.
Hi, Tom, I’d be fine with you sharing it, I think we can help other small trailer owners to be aware of safety practices, perhaps. And writing definitely is helping me process it and the aftermath (nervous towing, for example). This article is about the third draft of what I wrote the night it happened.
Hi Annie! I can only repeat what everyone had said: Sorry this happened to you. Glad you were not hurt and that Bella and Breeze have survived to take you on the next adventure. We were camping at Davis Mountains SP 10 days ago and Maijian tripped while we were birdwatching and fractured her wrist. She had surgery last week in Alpine and we will return there tomorrow to have the sutures removed. That is a beautiful park but maybe not so lucky for Altoists.
Your foresight and preparation prevented a rollover disaster. I have seen dashcam videos on Youtube where trailer sway causes very serious accidents. I also wonder if shifting weight in the trailer can aggravate swaying. I’m so glad you’re okay and that damage was not great. You’re also a great writer!
Wanted to thank you for posting about the accident. Learnt to practice for sway. Never knew that. Didn’t even know that I should apply the trailer brakes as an emergency maneuver. THANKS.
Wow. That is some story. While the bad things aligned to put you in the ditch, the good things aligned to get you back out. Glad you are safe.
#1 Glad you’re OK
#2 Really glad you’re OK
#3 Really really glad you’re OK
Sending you a cyber hug!
I’m so glad you are ok, your vehicles survived, and you had all that great help! What an amazingly wonderful group of people in West Texas. 🙂
One thing I know about you – you’re pretty organized/prepared. I’m not surprised you knew what to do and had practiced it. I’m relieved to know that when you needed the right reflexes and info, you had it in your head and used it. When you ride horses, you have to learn to tuck and roll in case your horse stumbles/goes down – same idea. We practiced, and it came in handy one day.
I am so sorry this happened, but so glad everything is generally ok. And how awesome is it that you so quickly found help on the side of the road? You were so very fortunate in so many ways. Thanks for sharing your experiences since it will, undoubtedly, help others.
Thanks for sharing Annie and offering us lessons. We are very glad you were not hurt and all (at least nearly all) is well. Thankful and grateful for the good souls who stopped and helped you.
Leo and Brenda
Annie, we have learned so much from you in the past and continue to so in reading of this harrowing experience. Time for us to practice developing that panic button muscle memory. So glad you are OK.
So glad you are okay! Thank you for sharing. For all of us w similar equipment and understanding layers of safety vs risk – do you use a weight distribution hitch w/ sway control? Thank you again for sharing so we can all be prepared when the worst happens!
Hi Annie, My husband and I are new to your blog and are picking up an R series in September. I look forward to reading your blog but am so sorry for the impetus for this one. Glad you are well.
Wow!!! First, so glad you and your home are okay!!!! Second, WOW! I was almost there with you as I read through it…..my heart started beating faster as you went on… And, I am sure this story will ring in my head if I ever will get in such situation. Thanking you already for sharing and perhaps helping me in my future trailer life starting 2021. May this be the most serious situation you ever had to encounter ; )
So glad you’re ok, Annie! Do you have sway bars? Maybe you can’t put them on a Subaru? We pull a lightweight lance trailer with a Honda Pilot; heavier all around than yours, but we’ve been in some touch-and-go situations with wind! Columbia Gorge and Saskatchewan (just east of the Rockies) were worst for us—though thankfully we stayed on the road! Happy trails, and I hope you don’t find any hidden damage (to you, or your rig!)
Wow…. I have that same Subaru, same, color, and same model of Alto. Oddly enough, I bought my Alto totaled and repaired it myself.
Sorry Annie! I’m glad you are ok. Reaching out and giving you a hug! The emergency brake lever is a BIG help in sway situations but unfortunately it sounds like that double whammy of winds was too much to control. Thanks for sharing – it will raise awareness and maybe keep someone else from having a mishap.
Annie, we were thinking of you just the other day as you passed us in Tucson. Lives change in a second and yours will be changed by this experience in ways you don’t expect. Embrace this experience as you always do others and write about it. Love, Judy
I am so glad you are ok!!! and with everything – at least it makes a pretty god story!
So frightening , but we all have so much to be thankful for: quick thinking, good reflexes, the kindness of strangers, and happy endings. For the record Bella was still able to fulfill her function….. the barbed wire fence…. not so much.
Glad to hear your ok, and you came out mostly intact! Look me up on the Altosie site for a winter wreck we had with our F1743 in December. Alas, our trailer was completely destroyed.
Amazing! Glad things worked out (those guys were wonderful)…everything is material—as you have just shown us. Good story.
Thank God you, Bella and The Breeze are alright. Well done, Annie. Love, Barb
So grateful you are OK and that your car and trailer are mostly OK. Thank you for sharing as a prompt to the rest of us to keep practicing the panic maneuver.
So glad to hear you are not hurt.
And to know that they are still awesome people out there.
Thanks God, you’re not hurt. You were well prepared and you knew exactly what to do … and in addition, you met some good people who helped you get back on the road. Thank you for sharing your experience with all altoistes. Mich
Thank you so much for sharing this story. I know we will keep it front of mind and practice reaching for the brake because of it. Also – grateful for the people who rallied to help you. ❤️
Wow! It sounds like you did not panic which sometimes can make all the difference in the world. Glad you are safe!
Hi Annie,
My wife and I are future owners (in September 2020) of a 1743. I have read many of your stories and try to learn from your experience. I sympathize to your fright
and I am glad you came out of this incident without getting hurt or too much damage. I will remember to practice your panic button motion, knowing that those incidents don’t always happen to others. I hope you will let us know how you got your trailer and car fixed.
As we say in French, « bonne continuation »,
Daniel Gendron
Reading this gave me chills, as I am only a few months past my auto accident.
Hope you are okay and you don’t have residual soreness from clenching your muscles during this scary event.
Much love to you and your home on the road.
Wow, what a wild ride. So glad you are okay.
Good grief Charlie Brown! Glad you made it out in one piece. Thank you for sharing your terrifying experience as a lesson to us all. In the end, a wonderful story of kindness and humanity that we sometimes forget exists in the world. There is hope for us all. May your guardian continue to be with you always.
Glad you are okay. I think I will start practicing the panic button reach tomorrow.
Annie so glad you and your rig are ok.I will remember when my sons and I pick up our F1743 in April.We will definitely practice the brake panic button !
Wow. Glad you are ok and that the damage is pretty limited. I get nervous driving my Subaru on the highway when there is strong wind and I am not towing a trailer.
Annie, Randy and I are just glad you were not hurt. Bella and Breeze aren’t too badly damaged, and they kept you safe. Can’t wait to see you again…..have another shot just in case! Hugs!!
Only one shot of whisky?
I’m sure your sharing will help someone to prevent their own disaster.
Glad you are OK.
Glad you are OK…I am sure the experience was nerve wracking but it seems you did all the “right” stuff…safe travels!
Oh Annie- Jane and I are so glad you are OK. Your experience, knowledge and brake practice all came in handy today. I hope this is all a bad dream in the weeks and months to come. Peace to you Annie.
We’re so glad you are OK.
Oh, my! What an experience. So glad you were not hurt and that your car and Alto were not damaged more severely. Preparation with visualization of proper procedures certainly was key. Much to be thankful for. Wonderful help. I hope that processing this leaves you with more confidence.
Annie, so glad you are okay!!! A stunning tale, and a very useful one for us travelers. I’ll practice that panic button on the trailer brake! I had forgotten that the slopes beneath some mountain areas are dangerous for winds and tornadoes (including spots on the east side of the Rockies and the west side of the Appalachians) … guess I had better think about that around any mountains on a windy day. Whew.
What a story! You did all the right things in a moment of panic and it made all the difference. So glad you are ok.
Holy Smokes!! I am so glad you are OK and glad that you found such kind people to help you out of the jam. Whew!
It will be a pain in the butt getting things fixed but the good news is that they CAN be fixed.
Cripes!!! Good to read you are ok and that both Alto and vehicle will both be ok after some repair and TLC.
Wow Annie, so happy to read that you are OK through this ordeal. Thanks for sharing as this is a good lesson for all of us. Take care!