35 MPH jackknife! My first thought was suspension failure. But 12k lbs behind an old 280 will do it too.
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Since I started this thread, I still haven't connected with my buddy to find out if the field truck is even still there.
However, here's a new development that wasn't under consideration before: My brother's next-door neighbour just bought a full-size pickup. He used to own one that we'd borrowed in the past in exchange for gas & beer. Win-win??