Lawyers quit trying to make it look like it was the hitch manufacturer's fault. Tell your client to admit they suck at driving.

Problem was a loose nut holding the steering wheel.

Props to that test driver for having the balls to reenact this and getting behind the wheel.

Interesting footage. My conclusion after watching the videos is that a Ford Excursion is a really stable tow vehicle regardless of the hitch, and assuming the weight distribution of the trailer is even close to right, you'd have to be a seriously ham fisted idiot to screw it up haha.

I assume this was done by the hitch manufacturers law firm to prove, hey it wasn't our product. That was a simple round bar WHD with a single Sway brake installed. They compared it to the highest rated, most expensive hitch on the market to prove that when properly installed and configured it is just as good at controlling a trailer as the Hensley. Looks like they were right.

What's the difference between a dead skunk on the road and a dead lawyer on the road? There's skid marks in front of the skunk.

I see it almost every day, someone dragging a trailer down the highway, either excessive speed or incorrect weight distribution. Wether its hauling equipment or campers. Human error! And they should be fined for their neglect to adhere to safety.

The most logical problem is the part between the seat and the steering wheel. Driving way too fast when towing is usually the cause and insufficient or overloaded tongue weight.

I think they all knew there is nothing wrong with the hitch, the test driver didn’t even bother with any protective equipment. If they thought there was a chance the hitch could fail and cause a rollover surely he would at least wear a helmet.

I would say no difference in hitches ... then it was driver error

Hitches don't generally fail. Not to say it can't happen, but usually it wasn't hooked up properly, missing safety pin, wrong size ball, or loose parts.

Most likely driver error or very likely insufficient weight on the hitch. When this is allowed to happen the tail will wag the dog and then everything ends up all upsidedownie!

I am sure Texas’s 80 mph speed limit had no factor.

Lots of facts missing here , how fast was driver really going ? Was trailer over loaded? Was the load in trailer balance ? How much weight was in car including people and fuel?weather? Wind ? Rain? Wet road? And more how much towing has the driver done in their life , how old was the hitch ? I mean I can go on on

Lots of money spent, trying to lay the blame on the manufacturer, probably trying to get more money for their own mistake .

when you try to blame the hitch for your bad driving and the hitch company responds

I towed many thousands of trouble free miles with an Eaz-Lift hitch. Never drove like a maniac either.

payload is not the same as tow rating. someone needed to read that.

Before buying an RV, know what your vehicle can tow! 1: GVWR 2: GVCR 3:Carrying capacity of the tow vehicle including hitch weight. Be careful with this one!! It’s not as capable as you think it is!! 4: Carrying capacity of towed vehicle!! Be careful with this one also!! 5: Cheap tires is a no no!! Tires must be able to handle the weight!! 6: taking your RV off road, you’re on you’re own!! Rough roads will damage a new RV very quick unless it’s built like a tank!! Is yours? 7: Weight distribution hitch/anti-sway capability!! Yes they differ!! 8: Hitch weight is part of the carrying capacity of the tow vehicle plus personnel plus extra cargo in the back of tow vehicle! You may find out you’re overloaded before beginning your trip!! 9: EXPERIENCE 10: SPEED!! Don’t say, well they’re going fast, I can too!!

When you are towing a trailer, a lot of little things can contribute to a loss of control. Distractions, maybe tire pressure, trailer axle alignment, weight shifts, someone doing something stupid in front of you can all affect the way the rig handles. I know from experience that an idiot changing lanes in front of you can cause an accident and cause you to roll the trailer, luckily the Jeep stayed upright, but the trailer was damaged severely. Short tow vehicle and short travel trailer, short reaction time, in Houston traffic.

No helmet or safety suit on the test driver ..... Balls of steal

I don't own a truck and I've never hauled a trailer in my life yet here I am

2:10 and this is what a properly balanced trailer should do lmao

I have saw an s10 pickup pulling a 40 or 50ft boat with a 3 axle trailer. Over loaded??? Yeah! Guy was on the interstate going about 45mph. Truck probably could not pull any faster. This is a wreck looking for a place to happen.

With nowadays testing this is how I expect them to test all the new vehicles this just shows an excursion is something I might bargain later on.

How fast was he going at the time, not how fast he thinks he was

The driver caused the crash. There are bad drivers who crash after a blowout.

Maybe I'm missing the point here but the only thing I saw was that neither hitch failed when an entire team of experts was employed to properly install it. Is it's expected that the average operator pay a team of Engineers set up the hitch every time they tow?

I dont know what happened but I know this. At 3 minutes you can see the safety chain hook . Its upside down. Hook should have gone in from tbe top. Also no latch or mousing on the hook !

There is a HUGE different between those two hitches. Actually, Hensley and ProPride are the only two hitches that are not like any other out there. Proper loading of the trailer is key in all cases, but it is completely IMPOSSIBLE for the trailer connected with a Hensley to get away from the tow vehicle. Physics will not allow it as it's a solid connection. ONLY the tow vehicle can turn the trailer, not the other way around. The friction style sway control is an add-on as shown in the video and can be tightened and loosened by the user. This allows you to control the amount of sway control . The problems with this style of sway control are: You cannot back the trailer up unless it's disconnected, and if the force of sway overcomes the friction, then the device has failed and the trailer will continue to sway worse until it flips. Hensley and Pro pride hitches are the closest you can get to a 5th wheel or goose neck when it comes to stability and sway is IMPOSSIBLE.

can we get a like salute for the poor excursion that died to the hands of an idiot

The best hitch in the world cant fix stupid.

That's why you have insurance for equipment failure.

I could see if the hitch system failed that would be error but nothing structurally failed..... driver error

Towed a 35ft TT for 17 years with an 02 V-10 Excursion. Never had an issue. I always made sure I was set up properly and had the proper 12% tongue weight. Driven through high winds, been passed by semis, never an issue. If you see the vehicles towing on the highway, half of them aren’t even set up correctly! Which I’m sure was the case here!

Every one pulling way more weight than what is safe

New Hampshire I-93 just after Exit 23 northbound [toward camping areas], older Ford Explorer pulling a 35' travel trailer rolled into a slightly v shaped large grass median. SUV stayed upright but trailer was flattened [racked] and that thing was PACKED with groceries, clothing, kids toys, you name it. It was all strewn out everywhere; what a mess. All came out thru the roof. Possibly too much weight loaded in the rear bedroom combined with a sudden steering move. Or maybe the driver was competent, loaded correctly and another vehicle was the culprit.

I had the very same make/model travel trailer for 10 years. Initially towed for a short time with a 1/2 ton Dodge quad cab before upgrading to a GMC 2500 quad cab. The trailer is heavy, but should have been no issue for the Excursion. I would look at other factors, such as how the trailer was loaded or the very well known and documented "death wobble" that Ford HD trucks have become famous for.

Why isn't the driver in the test vehicle wearing a helmet in case the vehicle did actually reproduce the failure? Also, I wonder if the trailer was improperly weighted toward the rear.

why didnt the test driver have a helmet on

I Know I Dont Know Nothin from Nothin Else_It's just Imo. Trying To Recreate a Possible Excursion 'Twistie Tie' Maker Product' Without Helmet' Suit' 4 Point' or Gloves'? really? 'just sayin'😶✌🇺🇸

Where are the other 24 passengers hiding? In the trailer??

Whoever set up the hitches did NOT do it correctly. To much tongue weight, front tires are being lifted. I towed a 34 foot travel trailer with a 2004 Excursion that was properly setup. Drove awesome.

No way it was drivers error....

Please define what is standard testing protocols???

I bet when they got done the inside of that camper looked like a tornado went thru.

It doesn't matter anyway. The hitch Co. will crunch the number's and settle. That's mostly all lawyer's want anyway . I mean besides Justice.

Hello, I would like to know what product you recommend to carry an RV trailer with greater safety ...... thank you ..........

Speed speed speed, 65 MPH is insane

Nothing showed here really.

You have to wonder about the loading of the trailer and tow vehicle, camping for a week can add a lot of additional weight, the trailer could have had 50 or 60 gallons of water in it, and the excursion could have had 8 passengers ( it is rated for that) . If This test not following the same parameters as the crash vehicle makes it meaningless.

Good thing there wasn't a similar accident during the testing since the crash test dummy behind the wheel wasn't wearing a helmet.

After the crash, all the gear in the back of the camper was thrown to the front. I tried repeatedly to explain tongue weight to a few idiots. I might as well go piss into the wind

Test driver has nerves of steel. Easy to chase it in a wide open area. Much harder with a concrete barrier and other motorist all around!

So, what was the point ?

Save yourself 5 minutes. There’s no awesome crashes here. 👎

I had a 2002 Excursion and pulled a 35ft 9500 lb trailer from Dallas to Branson MO back in 02 or 03 and my trailer brakes were shorted out so I had no trailer brakes. I drove back most of it in the rain. It was pretty much fine until I got in to the DFW area where my butt was puckered the whole rest of the way home. Somehow I made it and didn't kill my whole family. Damn that was scary though. I weighed the whole setup on the way out and the total weight was a little over 18k lbs.

This really wasn't a accurate test.there were no other cars zigzaging around the truck scaring the guys wife which scars the truck driver causing unnecessary steering correction.

Is this an ad for Hensley hitch

If you mentioned it, I missed it. Was vehicle at GCW ?

Y did i watch this

This whole test seemed very scientific. LOL i would be ashamed if this was my case support. It certainly accounts for everything. Lol.

4:40 seconds I wish I had back. Showed zero info

Problem was that it was a ford

No analysis... lol

Love how the driver twitches the wheel. You don’t do that when on the road. Everything is easier in controlled conditions.

Blame it on FORD😄

PUHLEASE!!!!!! my RV is the same size and made in 2003. I don\t even use a weight distribution hitch on my 2000 F250. I pull it s fast as I wanna go and its never been an issue.

Whomever is recommending these crap videos for me please stop.

Inconclusive, uninformative, useless.