I was driving to work today around 6.30 am still dark out I happened to look in the oncoming lane and all I see is sparks flying down the road as I passed by I slowed down and looked in the rearview mirror and see a semi minis a trailer going down the road. the trailer came off of the semi pulling it. A car that was behind the trailer slammed on the brakes almost hitting the back of the trailer all I could think of was what if that was me pulling my fiver and forgot to do a pull test it made my stomach turn. The lost trailer was only about a quarter mile from where it started from. It was a 7up distributor I pass the building every day. luckily the truck was only going about 35 mph but none the less my biggest fear happened right in front of me.what if it didn't come off until the rig was doing 55 or better. I am new to fifth wheels so this will stick with me no matter how much of a hurry I am in I will always check and double check the hook up and do a pull test..
Great advice! I always apply my trailer brakes before I hit the road. 1. To see if they are working.
2. To verify the hitch is holding.
I know when the hitch is latched and I have a lock on it, there is little chance of it coming undone. I do it for peace of mind. I like the idea of using a padlock on my hitch. I was told once of people pulling the latch on a hitch while people were stopped. They pull off without looking, truck goes, trailer stays. IMHO, I think a padlock is a great thing to use on the hitch. Added safety and security. Happy camping and happy holidays, Steve...
Steven
2006 Cypress 34BLSK Triple slide
1200 watt inverter
5500 watt generator
2006 Ford F-250 Lariat 4x4 6.0 Diesel
Workhorse performance chip
Magellan GPS
Extra 100# propane cylinder
Ditto on the hitch lock. I also put locks on the pins in the hitch rails. Don't want some clown pulling those out either!
2000 F-350 V-10 SRW Super Cab, 4x4 Short Bed. Prodigy Brake Control, BilSteins, and Scan Gauge II! 2003 Jayco Designer 31RLS (33ft)
No I'm not a judge, it's just a nickname! "SEMPER FI"
Hi All. Well, I don't have a way to lock the lever on our hitch. But we do have locks on the rail pins. Our RBW "Lil" Rocker Hitch, is a two piece hitch. So we have two locks on the top half as well. No way is someone going to get the either part of the hitch, thats for sure. And as far as a pull test, I normally don't worry about it, as the RBW "Lil" Rocker Hitch has a positive locking arm on it. So you can not high hitch it. Once the lever is moved forward, it is locked, no if ands or butts about it. Also, we have a Blue-Ox BedSaver attached to our hitch. But we have made it a habit, to check our hitch, everythime we have left it for any length of time, before pulling out. So far, in 40+ years of RV'ing, and over 15 years as an OTR Trucker, I haven't had any trailer ever come un-done, of have I ever dropped a trailer or lost one. Good old fashioned Common Sence does a lot of good, if you use it. Happy Camping, Dan & Jill
1997 Ford F-250, H.D. Extended-Cab, Short Bed, 7.3 PSD, K&N Air Filter, 5000 lbs air bags w/on board compressor w/guage, SuperChips Tuner/Programer. 1996 Nash 24fter 5er, 15K "Lil" Rocker Hitch w/BedSaver, Twin EU2000i Gen's W/Kit. Nam-Vet, 33 Months.
I got one of those beasts like Dan has, surely it wakes up the camp ground when it slams shut. I have never checked it in the past, but who knows, maybe I wil start now.
good idea on the hitch check for tampering with the pins. I was driving a semi a long time ago when the independents were trying to shut the big compaies down for I think it was a fuel price protest. Anyhow, I did a quick walk around and took off after a rest stop. Whoah, the air horn came when I braked on and brakes did not work well. Seems that the brake hose to the trailer (think it is the blue one - you can tell I am older than dirt now) was fiddled with and left to hang on the bracket.
Judgerr wrote: Ditto on the hitch lock. I also put locks on the pins in the hitch rails. Don't want some clown pulling those out either!
Ditto all the way around ...
HR & Beth
2006 Chevy Silverado LT3 3500HD, DRW, D/A, CC, LB, 4x4 and RED
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS
Cassie - pure Black Giant Schnauzer
Mollie - pure White Mini Schnauzer (the boss)
I installed a Bedsaver just in case this ever happens to me but I still do a test every time I pull out. I can't imagine how this could happen going down the road (I'd think it would drop off before you ever got out of the campground) but I don't want to be the cause of a traffic death or serious injury so the test and Bedsaver are critical safety tools.
Paul and Barb
2004 2500HD Duramax
2005 Titanium 34E39SD
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