Forum Discussion

camperforlife's avatar
camperforlife
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013

Don't be lazy

We all do it. Unhook the weight distribution bar on one side then step over the hitch to do the other side rather than walk around the truck.

I brought the trailer home after having a slide seal replaced and did exactly as I described above. I've done this more times than I can count. Well this time I stepped between the brake-away cable and the trailer frame without realizing it. I came down like I had been lassoed! I smashed my left shoulder into the truck bumper before I face planted into the gravel.

I have over 80K invested in two previous left shoulder surgeries and I certainly didn't need this. I wish I had taken the extra 15 seconds it would have taken to walk around the truck. Time will tell what my laziness cost me this time. I hope only it is only a few days of soreness. Please think about this before you step over the hitch!!!!
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Dec 02, 2013
    I walk around for a different reason.
    Every time I step over, I end up getting grease on one of my pant legs.

    Jack L
  • ROBERTSUNRUS's avatar
    ROBERTSUNRUS
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    :) Hi, I never step over my trailer's tongue to get to the other side, thought about it, but never did it. After reading this, I will never try it. Hope you didn't do anymore damage to yourself.
  • WoodGlue's avatar
    WoodGlue
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    Thank goodness I'm too short to even attempt to cross over that way!

    Hope you get better soon!

    WoodGlue
  • Beachums's avatar
    Beachums
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    I have always been adamant about going around instead of stepping over, but for another reason. No matter how much I have chocked and stabilized, I still would not bet a leg crushing on the chance that the loads won't shift or something wont fail. Pure and simple, the coupling area is a pinch point. Never trust any of that equipment with vital parts of your anatomy. Especially when 10 seconds spent walking around the vehicle can mitigate it.
    Always leave yourself an out. While you are straddling your umm a'hem... over the WD, you have no out.

    Thanks for sharing and get well soon.
  • bobsbbq's avatar
    bobsbbq
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    I actually think about stepping over all the time, but I always walk around. Hope you get better soon.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 02, 2013
    robsouth wrote:
    I'll have to point this out to the wife. Would hate to see her get hurt.


    OK, it's not often that I actually LOL but that one did it. :B

    OP, I'm sorry to hear about your bad luck. I've only had minor shoulder issues and they're bad enough.
    Hope you mend quickly.

    Scott
  • BobsYourUncle's avatar
    BobsYourUncle
    Nomad
    Dec 02, 2013
    Sorry to hear of your wipeout.

    I step over the hitch all the time, virtually every time rather than walk around.

    I have nearly done a faceplant several times, but I keep doing it.
    And with a screwed up back, one knee and a few other things the last thing I need is to do what you did.

    Thanks for the reminder.
  • robsouth's avatar
    robsouth
    Explorer II
    Dec 02, 2013
    I'll have to point this out to the wife. Would hate to see her get hurt.

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