Trailer comes unhitched, kills 1.

jake2250 wrote:
Well, I just had a scary incident on my last trip last week. Hitched up trailer on a Saturday, set off on a Monday,125 miles to our destination. Un hitched and had a great night. Next morning went into the bed of the PU to get some dog food, stepped up on my hitch and accidentally nudges the hitch ball,,IT RATTLED! Yeah it was loose!
I torqued it at home,, Not scientifically but I ran it down with my 3/4" air gun rated at 200 psi torque! Then I put a cheater bar (36"_ on a 1" drive socket), Got another 1/4 of turn on it.
Been good for three years so far with this truck!
If not checked this could have been a disaster! I did check my E trailer brake and it pulled heavy amps, so I assumed its working! This looks like it took place on a two lane road,, Not sure of the speed, but with the weight and forces given, I can see it taking a good distance to stop a run away trailer, and if the brakes on one side grabbed more than the other, I can see it veering off in one direction! I just hope my chains do some good!!

When I got my hitch I took it to a heavy truck shop and had them torque the ball to the required 320 ft/lb. Big torque wrench! The rest of the hitch I torqued and then put red nail polish across all nuts. That way I can see at a glance if anything has moved. I have had one nut on the hitch back off but it was so easy to catch.