To enhance the safety of horses and those who travel with horses, USRider has worked with Drs. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez, experts in large animal emergency rescue, on a research project to gather and analyze data about horse trailer accidents. Conclusions and recommendations from this study will be released to the public soon. However, during the course of the study, USRider and Drs. Gimenez noticed a hazardous trend involving gooseneck horse trailers, of which they want to caution the public immediately. While studying more than 200 incidents involving horse trailers, the researchers noticed an inordinate number of incidents involving gooseneck horse trailers becoming stuck on railroad crossings. Almost all of these incidents resulted in the loss of human and equine life.
“Being stuck on a railroad track is preventable and does not have to end in tragedy,” said Mark Cole, managing member of USRider.
“As the driver of a vehicle pulling a trailer, assume that any low-clearance caution signs before the railroad track are meant for you,” added Dr. Tomas Gimenez, professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Clemson University. “The placement of such warning signs will allow you to take an alternate safer route."
If you must cross railroad tracks, proceed cautiously, especially when the tracks are higher than the road grade. If your horse trailer becomes lodged on a railroad crossing, call 911 immediately since emergency agencies can contact railroad companies and alert them of the situation.
Additionally, all humans and animals should be evacuated from the tow vehicle and trailer.
Evacuating the horses from the trailer serves two purposes. Obviously, it removes them from harm’s way.
“Unloading a horse in a potentially dangerous scenario such as this is going to make people as well as the horses nervous. Make sure your horses are good about loading and unloading from the trailer-–this is not the time to be trying to train them,” said Dr. Rebecca Gimenez. “Also be sure to lead the horses a good distance away from the tracks to lessen the chance of them becoming spooked by other people, traffic, the tow truck or a passing train.”
In addition, evacuating the horses will reduce the weight in the trailer, which could raise the trailer enough to dislodge it from the tracks and enable it to complete the crossing safely.
“From a practical standpoint, most railroad crossings are built up, making them slightly higher than the surrounding roadway. Therein lies the problem,” said Cole. “When the truck tires pass over the railroad bed and start approaching the lower roadway grade, the rear tires can also be on the roadway grade on the other side of the tracks, causing the front of the gooseneck trailer to bottom out on the tracks.”
While bumper-pull trailers are not as susceptible to this problem, it is very important to raise the jack stand to a level that will provide sufficient clearance and not bottom out in extreme situations.
For more equine trailer safety information, please visit the USRider website at http://www.usrider.org/.
USRider is a nationwide roadside assistance plan created especially for equestrians. It includes standard features, such as flat-tire repair, battery assistance and lockout services, plus towing up to 100 miles and roadside repairs for tow vehicles and trailers with horses, emergency stabling, veterinary and farrier referrals, and more.
Posted 2006-08-27 8:53 PM (#47493 - in reply to #47486) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Expert
Posts: 2689
We've discussed this before.
It is disappointing that the article is TOO MUCH about what to do if you get stuck, while offering little/no guidance on how to NOT get stuck.
Posted 2006-08-28 8:25 AM (#47507 - in reply to #47493) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
Originally written by Reg on 2006-08-27 9:53 PM
We've discussed this before. It is disappointing that the article is TOO MUCH about what to do if you get stuck, while offering little/no guidance on how to NOT get stuck.
Reg, how about using common sense? They are studying the most frequent CAUSES of horse trailer accidents. It doesn't make them experts on how to avoid the situation. And you know, I think you give pretty good advice most of the time, but this isn't one of them. Why don't YOU share some insight on how you avoid these pitfalls after all these years instead of bitchin' about somebody else that is at least trying to warn us about the biggest threats? Personally, I try to cross at an angle to keep wheels in contact and reduce the effect of the grade.
Posted 2006-08-28 11:50 AM (#47511 - in reply to #47507) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by efaubert1 on 2006-08-28 8:25 AM
Originally written by Reg on 2006-08-27 9:53 PM
We've discussed this before. It is disappointing that the article is TOO MUCH about what to do if you get stuck, while offering little/no guidance on how to NOT get stuck.
Reg, how about using common sense? They are studying the most frequent CAUSES of horse trailer accidents. It doesn't make them experts on how to avoid the situation. And you know, I think you give pretty good advice most of the time, but this isn't one of them. Why don't YOU share some insight on how you avoid these pitfalls after all these years instead of bitchin' about somebody else that is at least trying to warn us about the biggest threats? Personally, I try to cross at an angle to keep wheels in contact and reduce the effect of the grade.
They're NOT studying CAUSES, they're reporting on CONSEQUENCES.
{Terminal stupidity is probably the primary cause of most of these accidents. I don't know of a cure for that.}
I offered my suggestions on how to avoid this particular tragedy the last time. For those not familiar with the forum's search function, it can be condensed to;
CREEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeep across, if you hear/feel anything touch BACK OFF !!!
DO NOT think you're almost across and can get clear in another foot or two, just back off and find another route.
Posted 2006-08-28 2:12 PM (#47524 - in reply to #47511) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Reg on 2006-08-28 10:50 AM
CREEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeep across, if you hear/feel anything touch BACK OFF !!! DO NOT think you're almost across and can get clear in another foot or two, just back off and find another route.
Plus one ... Also, watch your tailgate clearance (this works... Don't ask how "I" know)
Posted 2006-08-28 2:26 PM (#47526 - in reply to #47486) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
I put some little metal skis on my frame and lock the hubs and put er in 4x4 so if I drag I can hit the old accelerator and drag it across.If ya hit it fast enough ya can't even feel it.Ha Ha! love shift on the FLY!
Saw a cattle truck do that once, went across empty fine came back full hi centered like a turtle on his back,driver was going pretty crazy for a little while,finaly I broke down and told him there hadn't been a train on the tracks in a year du to a mud slide.It was kinda funny to watch.But he smelled a little,think it was the anxiety in his britches.
After I had my fun I suggested we unload the cattle, that set him off again....I thought ....this is way too much fun...so jacked his trailer up put some timbers under it and he drove over the tracks.
Posted 2006-08-28 4:32 PM (#47529 - in reply to #47486) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Kansas City
The CAUSE is all too simple -- driver error accomodating (A) Ever increasing lengths between the drive axle (won't be too much longer before we probably say axles) and trailer axles and (B)hanging a household plumbing system underneath, and (C) the fact that no one wants their horse to have to "step up" into a taller trailer. You don't see RV trailer "stuck" but they require 2-3 steps to the door. Reference the recent post of just how long can a LQ trailer be to fit into . . . Alas, here again is an event that I cannot participate in with my half-ton truck and a 3H BP trailer. Those 30' LQ people have all the fun!
On a serious note. At most major crossings there is a phone number on the control box for the lights, etc. with the crossing number. Should you become stuck call both 911 - request the operator to report the incident to the railroad and YOU YOURSELF call the railroad company to report. The raiload will know eactly where any approaching trains are.
Posted 2006-08-29 8:54 AM (#47572 - in reply to #47486) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
ow, Now, were supposed to be a kinder genteler nation,lets take them by the hand and lead them thru....who cares if traffic is held up for 6 hours,it's all the dealers fault ,or the manufactures fault.They didn't tell you that you weren't supposed to do that.
Oh Oh, one more sticker,...Caution..driving over railroad tracks with this trailer may cause death or injury.Haul at your own risk!
Posted 2006-08-30 1:48 PM (#47647 - in reply to #47602) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by loveduffy on 2006-08-29 9:01 PM
not everybody know this-- it is worth reposting don"t you think so ????
EVERYBODY who has a long trailer SHOULD know it.
Everybody who has a firearm should be able to estimate the potential consequences of {fill in the blank} without it having to be posted on every newsgroup that they might visit.
I'm fairly sure it is in the drivers' manual (for Mass at least, I would suspect for most other states too). I know, they only read THAT the night before the test on their 16th or 17th birthday )-:
It is in the CDL manual for SURE.
Ahhh, LIGHT BULB !!! - - suggested reading for gooseneck buyers, the CDL manual.
Posted 2006-08-30 2:22 PM (#47648 - in reply to #47486) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Member
Posts: 38 Location: waverly, tn 37185
:-( Hey there Reg! Give us a little lee-way. (Us being some new trailer pullers). Call me terminal if you want, but I never knew about hanging a trailer on RR tracks. Who'd thunk! You guys with all the experience is why we come here to this site. To learn things that we need to know or want to know. Usually all without having to be thought of as terminal.
But seriously, thanks for sharing your experienced opions and advise!
Posted 2006-08-30 10:20 PM (#47659 - in reply to #47486) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Veteran
Posts: 143 Location: southeast U.S.A.
loveduffy,
Thanks for sharing the information, Not EVERYONE knows EVERYTHING there is to know!
If they did then there really wouldn't be any use for this forum,or maybe we could all just boast to each other about how we know everything and what we don't know we'll just research it ti'll we have it down pat then brag and boast about knowing it on this forum.Then when we're all through we'll be on the lookout for the few that didn't research it to death and try to make them feel like an idiot.What a life,it takes all kinds!
Ardly
p.s. If You really want to get by well and don't have a clue you could just fake it with some STUPID jokes and for the lack of anything worthwhile to say just say "TEE HEE" allot!
Posted 2006-08-31 7:44 AM (#47670 - in reply to #47486) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Kansas City
Interesting facts from Federal Highway Administration for 2003.
There were 295 deaths from crossing collisions and 394 deaths from pedistrian trespass (walking on tracks, etc). 689 total in one year. That makes the recent airline crash (while just as devasting to the families involved) pale in comparison. Another site indicated that a train hit a vehicle every two hours in the US.
Oh, and there were 101 persons killed as the rider of an animal or animal drwan vehicle.
I would suppose that there is a bigger chance of getting hit by a train in your personal vehicle without a horse trailer, AND if you make it over the tracks you may still have a fatal accident on your horse - well actually off your horse.
Posted 2006-08-31 8:35 AM (#47673 - in reply to #47670) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by barry on 2006-08-31 7:44 AM
Interesting facts from Federal Highway Administration for 2003.
There were 295 deaths from crossing collisions and 394 deaths from pedistrian trespass (walking on tracks, etc). 689 total in one year. That makes the recent airline crash (while just as devasting to the families involved) pale in comparison. Another site indicated that a train hit a vehicle every two hours in the US.
Oh, and there were 101 persons killed as the rider of an animal or animal drwan vehicle.
I would suppose that there is a bigger chance of getting hit by a train in your personal vehicle without a horse trailer, AND if you make it over the tracks you may still have a fatal accident on your horse - well actually off your horse.
Even more unlikely (from statistical summaries) is that you will be hit by a segway rider while you are riding an elephant through rush hour traffic in downtown Nashville.
Alcohol is STILL the biggest contributing factor in most road deat... - but I digress (-:
Posted 2006-08-31 9:03 AM (#47674 - in reply to #47659) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Ardly on 2006-08-30 10:20 PM
loveduffy,
Thanks for sharing the information, Not EVERYONE knows EVERYTHING there is to know!
If they did then there really wouldn't be any use for this forum,or maybe we could all just boast to each other about how we know everything and what we don't know we'll just research it ti'll we have it down pat then brag and boast about knowing it on this forum.Then when we're all through we'll be on the lookout for the few that didn't research it to death and try to make them feel like an idiot.What a life,it takes all kinds!
Ardly
p.s. If You really want to get by well and don't have a clue you could just fake it with some STUPID jokes and for the lack of anything worthwhile to say just say "TEE HEE" allot!
Mayhap I'm just SO used to a "Library" model ?
Information is in it's appropriate section, it references related information, the relevant information references back to it, etc.
Some references are relevant to current searches, others aren't, but you can find what you are looking for and will likely trip across stuff that you didn't know was relevant. I know, the web supposedly changed all that, well it made it faster and easier.
I don't see the point of reproducing EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE that it MIGHT BE relevant, it becomes clutter. By all means reference it, by providing links.
I think anyone getting into trailering OWES THEMSELVES the effort to find out what they need to know. THIS forum is one source, but I don't think anyone should expect to find EVERYTHING here.
Read and re-read your State's drivers' manual, many of us quite literally havn't read it since the night before our 16th or 17th birthday driving test.
DO get a copy of the CDL manual, a lot of it is relevant to trailering even the 2 horse bumper pull trailer, more so the bigger gooseneck trailers.
Posted 2006-08-31 9:33 PM (#47708 - in reply to #47674) Subject: RE: gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720 Location: Never miss a good chance to shut up.
There are no stupid questions on this board and if someone does post something of value (particularly about safety) more than once . . . tell them thank you. Server storage is pretty cheap. I'm glad to contribute to redundancy.
There are far more trailer users than trailer experts - which is why we have this board. When the experts make others feel badly about something they post, we're doing a disservice to the entire horse hauling community.
gooseneck trailer and railroad crossing LOOK OUT
