Just another scary reminder

See so many of these because of wrong size ball for hitch, unlubed and now corroded ball causing seizure and unscrewing of the ball. I have seen that twice.
Improperly torqued and no lock washer or enough to imbed the little balls on bottom of the ball into the mount. Lots of stress on that ball.
most people don't even think of cleaning them and replacing a corroded ball, or cleaning the hitch on the trailer and lubing the ball.
Then the screw down and little wing to hold the nut in place, not tightened because it is rusty etc
Some don't seem to think the chains necessary or know to cross the and make sure they won't come unhooked. On trailers with I bet half have a dead battery for the break away safety or is even hooked up.
When Retailers sell a ball mount or trailer, at least they could inform them and give them a booklet or something, if they would read it.

I witnessed a similar scenario recently. I was sitting in the left turn lane at an intersection. Pickup and cargo trailer came through the intersection at high rate of speed, toward me. Trailer bounced off of the ball and disconnected from the pickup. Luckily, the trailer veered to the right, and smashed into the wall at the McDonalds restaurant on the corner. If it had veered to the left...would have hit me head on. The pickup driver didn't even stop, just kept going.

moresmoke wrote:

Steeljag wrote:
All those "safety measures" will be looked at for the civil action !

Civil action is fine, but the vast majority of people don't have anything to go after.

I carry a little more insurance than most, but the reality is I really don't have much to my name. So if I get sued, I just roll over and file bankruptcy and go on with life.

Vast majority?

So obviously you triple check everything, are not a lazy ignorant slob, and do not endanger other lives sharing the roadways !

Steeljag wrote:
All those "safety measures" will be looked at for the civil action !

Civil action is fine, but the vast majority of people don't have anything to go after.

I carry a little more insurance than most, but the reality is I really don't have much to my name. So if I get sued, I just roll over and file bankruptcy and go on with life.

All those "safety measures" will be looked at for the civil action !

I saw a trailer come off the ball because the tongue jack came down and hit a bump in the road forcing the tongue up and off the ball. If your jack is not in good condition, replace it.

You could clearly see the disconnected breakaway cable hanging from the truck hitch so it was connected but obviously the on-board trailer brake battery was dead or brakes not functioning correctly.

It wouldn't surprise me if the hitch ball was the wrong size (multi ball hitch) and/or the coupler not latched.

Brakes on trailers over xxxx pounds (Varies from place to place) and safety chains are often required by law.. Failure to use them can be considered reckless endangerment should someone get hurt... NOT A GOOD THING.

This is, however, the kind of thing that makes lawyers rich,.

maddog348 wrote:


It really does not take that long to attach them. JM2¢

I'm sure it's not that they didn't want to take the time to attach them, but rather that the chains weren't there, weren't long enough, didn't have the right size hook, etc. and instead of dealing with it, they just hooked up and rode out.

If you're paying attention, you'll see tons of people towing dangerously. It's an absolute shame and I wish more police would monitor these sorts of things as much as they do speeders and other minor violations. I see every variety...no lights, no chains, too small of TV, bad tires, loads not secured, trailers that look they got pulled off the scrap heap...it goes on and on.

maddog348 wrote:
Local evening news just reported that a man was tragically killed when a med. sized utility trailer broke loose from the pick-up that was pulling it crossed the intersection hitting 2 men standing on the side walk. 1 man was fatally injured. Police stated that NO Tow Chains were being used.

It really does not take that long to attach them. JM2¢

So glad you did not say "accident" in your posting.

Not an "accident" its Borderline stupidity.