mowermech wrote:
"overloaded" was a relatively minor item in this fiasco.
In fact, the rated hitch load was only exceeded by 450 lbs. ANY hitch should be able to handle at least a 30% overload, IMO.
The main problem was the lack of proper safety chains or cables, and the lack of a breakaway system for the brakes. THOSE were the direct causes of the death and injuries!
Why pick 30%. Why not ask for 100%.
In the engineering world, all materials have a yield strength and also a design strength. The material strength used for calculations is much lower than the yield strength to allow for flaws in the material and the occasional overload.
For an item like a trailer hitch, you have two types of loads...Static and dynamic loads. The static load is with the hitch and vehicles just setting and no movement. A dynamic load is the loading and unloading as the vehicles move down the road. Dynamic loading is hard to predict and can run several times the static load.
The hitches have a rated load and should not be exceeded.
Ken
