Safety check reminder

[Roger H]

In addition to my travel trailer, I have a utility trailer that I use to tow my Kubota tractor back and forth to some property I own for both mowing and snow removal. Last night, I hitched the trailer and towed the tractor up and back. When I got home, unloaded, and unhitched, I found that the hair pin cotter that retains the hitch pin was missing. All that was holding the hitch pin in was the friction of the draw bar pulling against it. I could have just as easily lost the drawbar and everything attached to it. I presume that the hair pin cotter probably just broke from stress and fell out. Not only did I not check the rigging before I left to come home with the tractor, I stopped on the way home for a sandwich, and didn't check the rigging there either. I could have caught that either time had I done the walk-around that I "always" do, but failed to do twice last night!

So... the moral of the story is to remind us to walk around our trailers and check our rigging every time we stop and have the chance.

Roger

[Donna D.]

Thanks for the reminder Rog! Thank goodness everything was fine. You had an Angel on your shoulder. For the most part, when pulling a trailer we have a ton of weight behind us (give or take). We all have personal responsibility to make certain those traveling around us are safe from us... as much as we possibly can. A couple of extra minute gives us peace of mind as well.

[Frederick L. Simson]

So... the moral of the story is to remind us to walk around our trailers and check our rigging every time we stop and have the chance.

I use this Master Lock Set.

I also do a walk-around inspection. When Robert asks what I am looking for, I usually quip, "A disturbance in the force... OBwan"

[Raya]

That's a great reminder, Roger. I wouldn't be surprised if most people haven't neglected to inspect every once (or twice ) in a while.

A couple whom I know from the sailing world was driving (not towing their boat at the time) when an unsecured trailer came across the highway from the oncoming set of lanes and the tounge went through the windshield of their vehicle and killed the woman. She was only around 35 and full of life. When I think about that it reminds me of how much responsibility we have to make sure our rigs are safe and sound.

Glad everything worked out on your tow home, and thanks again for posting.

Raya

[ronsmith100]

In addition to my travel trailer, I have a utility trailer that I use to tow my Kubota tractor back and forth to some property I own for both mowing and snow removal. Last night, I hitched the trailer and towed the tractor up and back. When I got home, unloaded, and unhitched, I found that the hair pin cotter that retains the hitch pin was missing. All that was holding the hitch pin in was the friction of the draw bar pulling against it. I could have just as easily lost the drawbar and everything attached to it. I presume that the hair pin cotter probably just broke from stress and fell out. Not only did I not check the rigging before I left to come home with the tractor, I stopped on the way home for a sandwich, and didn't check the rigging there either. I could have caught that either time had I done the walk-around that I "always" do, but failed to do [b]twice last night!

So... the moral of the story is to remind us to walk around our trailers and check our rigging every time we stop and have the chance.

Roger

Driving from the mountain campground to the Petersburg ferry I did a walk-around *after* I arrived at the ferry staging lot.
Well maybe I did a walk around way up in the mountains at the campground but I didn't see it.

I drove the whole distance with the friction-sway bar loose, attached to the trailer, but laying gravity loose up against the trailer tongue crank.

16 miles!

I scare the beeejeezuzz out of me sometimes!