Car and trailer accident I want to share

JOCCO · Jul 31, 2019

Not to far from me a utility/car trailer came unhooked from a truck and took a car head on. The car was totaled and the driver taken to hospital serious injuries. Both parties live in the same town and it was on a major roadway. Can't imagine the aftermath of this one. I do not have any more details but lets be carful.

Determined · Jul 31, 2019

I had one come off this spring on a new to me boat and trailer, probably 3000 lbs.

When I hooked it to the truck it felt tight closing the coupler and I raised the trailer jack until it was starting to lift the back of the truck to be sure it was on good.

Went a good 50 miles which included launching and reloading the boat onto the trailer without a problem.

Hit a deep rut in the road on the way home and suddenly something did not seem right so I coasted to a stop.

Safety chains were strong enough and properly crossed so no damage done.

Re hooked it and tightened the nut figuring it was out of adjustment.

Pulled it apart when I got home and it turned out to be that whoever had installed the lower jaw did not engage the pivot lever into the coupler which was allowing the lower jaw to move back under a heavy load.

Something I will bend down and check on every new to me trailer from now on.

Keith Molden · Jul 31, 2019

So many people do not know that the safety chains should be crossed so they just hook them up on the same side they are attached to. They never stop to think they will cradle the tongue if that trailer comes loose from the tow vehicle. I can't tell you how many people I've suggested that to when they come here with a trailer to pick up a piece of equipment.

flying belgian · Jul 31, 2019

Thanks. Now something else to worry about on the hyway. Tomorrow hands free phone law goes into effect here in Mn. So I can stop worrying about distracted driving only to now have to
worry about trailers.

bmack95hd · Jul 31, 2019

Have a buddy that constantly runs a 2? hitch on a 1 7/8? ball. Set everything up on 1 7/8? thinking no one would steal his trailers. He has lost one trailer twice, luckily it biffed in the median last time only damage to his property. I don?t tow with him anymore. Too dangerous.

denglish · Jul 31, 2019

I accidentally ran a two inch hitch on a 1-7/8 ball earlier this summer. I just forgot that I had the smaller ball on the truck. I was hauling a small trailer with a 6 foot brush hog on it. About 80 miles round trip. I realized what I had done part way through after I noticed the slack in the connection when accelerating. It all ended fine, but I won't make that mistake again.

I also had a trailer come lose with two lambs in it on the way to the slaughter house last fall. It was a situation similar to the original poster. Happened on the road as I drove a way from a stop light while making a left turn. The chains did their job, but boy did I feel stupid. Both cases were mistakes that I made while in a hurry.

oldtanker · Jul 31, 2019

(quoted from post at 10:24:21 07/31/19) Thanks. Now something else to worry about on the hyway. Tomorrow hands free phone law goes into effect here in Mn. So I can stop worrying about distracted driving only to now have to
worry about trailers.

And what makes you think that folks are going to use hands free only?

Rick

David G · Jul 31, 2019

One of my largest customer's color codes the ball and hitches, this was after an incident.

LAA · Jul 31, 2019

That is the law where I live.

W_B · Jul 31, 2019

(quoted from post at 17:18:13 07/31/19) So many people do not know that the safety chains should be crossed so they just hook them up on the same side they are attached to. They never stop to think they will cradle the tongue if that trailer comes loose from the tow vehicle. I can't tell you how many people I've suggested that to when they come here with a trailer to pick up a piece of equipment.

Also, the chains should be adjusted so they don't allow the hitch to hit the ground. Can't tell you how many livestock trailers I see at shows with the chains nearly dragging the ground.

Stephen Newell · Jul 31, 2019

In Texas it's the law a trailer has to be chained to the vehicle.

Leroy · Aug 1, 2019

Only trailer we lost was when the complete bumper the hitch was fastened on broke off the car and was draging on the ground. It was a 75 Buick and back in the early 80's. What was my problem with balls I had the 2 5/16" ball on and tried to hook up trailer with a 2" hitch.

Car and trailer accident I want to share

JOCCO

Well-known Member

Determined

Well-known Member

Keith Molden

Well-known Member

flying belgian

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bmack95hd

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denglish

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oldtanker

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David G

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LAA

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W_B

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Stephen Newell

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Leroy

Well-known Member

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