Under what circumstances does a trailer become disconnected?

[indybp57]

Originally Posted by russhd1997

I had a pop up camper come off of the ball on me once. I had let my son hook the camper to the car. He was a teenager at the time and was eager to help out. Apparently the socket wasn't all of the way down on the ball before he latched it.

My DW did this once. Luckily it came off pulling it out of our yard.

I've also seen someone forget to put the hitch pin in.

[mwdilday]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

When I pulled a TT after hooking and pinning the hitch I cranked (until I bought an electric jack) the tongue up until it started to lift the truck then retracted before leaving. No guarantee but should eliminate a few hard to see problems.

I have a receiver locking pin in the garage. I would now eliminate the pin and use a lock. I use a lock on my 5er hitch. Have not heard about TTs but have heard some think it funny too release the hitch while stopped for food or fuel so when the truck pulls forward or farther down the road the trailer comes loose. Terrible on a TT, worse on a 5er as no chains.....

Not sure if a lock has the shear strength needed. My F-350 came with a warning that I could not use just any draw bar pin because my hitch is rated for 21,000 lbs. Point is on a 2" receiver/draw bar you have to make sure you have a pin that is RATED for the load and I don't think padlocks have RATINGS for that.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by mwdilday

Not sure if a lock has the shear strength needed. My F-350 came with a warning that I could not use just any draw bar pin because my hitch is rated for 21,000 lbs. Point is on a 2" receiver/draw bar you have to make sure you have a pin that is RATED for the load and I don't think padlocks have RATINGS for that.

Not a padlock on the receiver. A pin like the one on hitches but has a lock instead of a carter pin to hold it in place.

A padlock on the 5er hitch so a pin is not pulled and the jaws released. Reese provides a lock on their 5er hitches.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Not a padlock on the receiver. A pin like the one on hitches but has a lock instead of a carter pin to hold it in place.

A padlock on the 5er hitch so a pin is not pulled and the jaws released. Reese provides a lock on their 5er hitches.

Most retainer 5/8 pins come with a "R-Pin" very few have a "Cotter Pin"! Youroo!!

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by rsdata

once I dragged a utility trailer that bounced off the ball and onto the ground... I suspect that I did not latch it down with the hitch latch... for sure I did not use a pin either... from that point on I promised myself to always have a hitch pin engaged to prevent me from "forgetting" to close the latch...

I cannot imagine how a ball would become unhitched unless there were a mechanical issue with the latch.

X2, happened to me once. Thank God for the safety chains and that I had connected them correctly.