Double check after hooking up trailer

I once forgot to lock down the coupler on the ball of my PUP. Noticed it was bouncing a lot in the mirror so I stopped to check. I was lucky and I will never do that again. It could have ended badly.

I was guilty of improper hookup once, I hate to admit.

I had a small TT, I hooked it up, crossed the chains, plugged the pigtail in but neglected to to a thorough check on my setup, as I was in a hurry. I know better, I have about a quarter million miles of towing under my belt. I have towed many many dozens of different trailers over the years. I know I need to check the hitch, and double check, every time. But I didn't....

This was in Fort St. John BC where the roads are full of heaves and bumps. I entered an intersection at about 30 MPH and hit a heave, flipping the trailer tongue right up and off the hitch.

The trailer came crashing down onto the pavement and my properly fastened safety chains held firm and kept the TT in line behind my truck until I got it stopped, blocking the intersection.

I felt like a fool, a complete idiot as I struggled to lift the thing back up and onto the hitch.....

If I had double checked my setup I would have noticed that I forgot to latch the hitch and pin it. It was in the straight up position. There was nothing stopping it from coming off the ball.

I sure learned from that one. It could have been ugly. And it was completely my fault. It can happen to anyone, if you get careless like I did.

This was a case of negligence, pure and simple. Anyone that negligent probably doesn't read this thread.

" Double check before hooking up trailer"

Seems to me, the double check should be AFTER hooking up the trailer.
Or the towed vehicle.
What I watched of the video was very informative. It is interesting that safety chains WORK! It was also interesting that (at least for the news people), without safety chains the trailer immediately ran off the road! Of course, one can not rely on that happening, that goes without saying.
I did not watch the entire video. The public displays of pain and grief, IMO, add nothing to the story. It is too bad the news organization felt they had to sensationalize the story by including them. IMO, it took away from an excellent message!

Not just a "trailer' item though. I personally know three different folks who have lost a towed from behind a motorhome but I've never personally known anyone who lost a trailer. Just suggesting that the same level of care should be taken for ANYTHING you're towing.