Improperly hitched trailers - don't let it happen to you

[Talonman]

I always feel the tires and wheels for temperature as well.

[Slympicins]

I do as well. Hot tires I a bad sign something is wrong. Check wear marks also. I someone is driving behind, have them let you know if the trailer is tracking straight.

[Talonman]

I am checking for hot bearing as well.

[Slympicins]

All great suggestions for everyone towing anything from a jet ski to a mobile home.

[acadianbob]

A few years ago I was riding my bicycle down a paved country road.
A truck passed me pulling a boat.
He was only going about 45 mph and gave me plenty of room.
About 50 yards beyond me the trailer came unhooked.
No safety chains, the boat rolled into the ditch.
50 yards sooner and I'd have been dead.
Still gives me a chill to think about it.

[Oaklevel]

I have never had the misfortune of seeing a trailer come unhitched ( a combine but not a trailer).......... but I have seen plenty of wrecks with trailers. Usually the tow vehicle stayed hitched but the camper became toothpicks........

Have seen the bikes on the trailers bike rack bounce off.... have seen a couple cars come off flat trailer trailers, seen a ski doo come off the trailer & end up in the pickup towing it's bed, Seen many people hauling furniture & had to dodge it as it flew off the pickup bed. Even saw a guy carry a brand new love seat still in the plastic which gave way & the cushions wound up in the middle of a 3 lane hwy (sure he caught it when he got home)..........

[dblr]

I drove tandem trailers for a living for over 30 years and always double check everything, also do the same when I tow out 5th wheel. My wife calls me Lana(anal) but I feel better double checking. As far as checking bearing and tire heat we got a laser temperature gun and when we stop the 1st thing I do is walk around checking temps, plus whenever we get ready to roll again I check our hitch even if I keep a lock on it as I feel you can never be to safe. Safe travels to all and remember it only takes a minute extra to be safe.

[Slympicins]

Great trip safety. I only takes a few minutes to save hours of grief.

[meck51]

Just had a flashback to a call I had many years back. A contractor was impaired ( too long a lunch break) didn't hitch his low boy properly and it came off striking a parked car and a kid on a bike, kid was hurt but by the grace of god not too bad.
I check my setup every time I get out, a couple of seconds/minutes burned then can save years of problems elsewhere.

[RedDragon]

Since we're talking safety how do you know the chains are at the right height off the road but not to short to become to tight when turning?

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by RedDragon

Since we're talking safety how do you know the chains are at the right height off the road but not to short to become to tight when turning?

Trial and error.
I let them loop about 3 inches off the pavement.

[RedDragon]

Cool thanks 👍