I have done some stupid things in my time, made some serious mistakes, but this one is really a major screw up on my part.Went to grab the TT from storage, the gate broke, I couldn't get in, called the owner, they came in and got the gate open. said they would wait and make sure I could get out. Now I am in a hurry to hitch up and get out of there. Grabbed the TT and away I go. Got home, usual pre-trip loading etc and the next morning we are off for a few days at a lake. Cool! :C230K, 143 miles of highway later we get to our destination. I got out, walked by by hitch and saw this:My heart nearly stopped dead, I literally broke out in a panic sweat when I realized that I DID NOT put the pin in the hitch.How could I have done such an idiotic thing? Where was my head? I have a process, a method I follow for this and I failed, big time.Unbelievable that I drove that far, towing about 7500 - 8000 pounds and the thing didn't fall out of the receiver. I am astounded beyond words at my stupidity and the fact it stayed there all the way.Wow, just wow. I know we all do some dumb things, but this takes the cake for me.

Just the other day I mentioned to a friend that we all make mistakes but we hope the mistake doesn't kill us. Apparently, friction is your friend.P.S. Our pin locks once installed so no one can remove it without the key.

We all make mistakes, and now you know you will never make that one again. Somebody was definitely watching over you. May I suggest you go buy a lottery ticket or two?

DH and I have a handwritten list we keep in our RV. It contains all the steps for setting up and breaking down. Every single step is on there because at one time we forgot to do it! Add this one to yours and be grateful the only negative impact was to your self-image! You'll never forget the pin again!

I second - WOW ! ! and also agree that the RUST was your savior that day for sure ! !I am AMAZED that it stayed.... If it were ME, I would have payed the lottery that day hoping the luck stayed a bit.

Bonehead Blunder, I'm an idiot! | Good Sam Community

Dick_B
Explorer
Jun 21, 2021
Just the other day I mentioned to a friend that we all make mistakes but we hope the mistake doesn't kill us. Apparently, friction is your friend.
P.S. Our pin locks once installed so no one can remove it without the key.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 21, 2021
I think RUST was your friend!
Krusty
Nomad II
Jun 21, 2021
We all make mistakes, and now you know you will never make that one again. Somebody was definitely watching over you. May I suggest you go buy a lottery ticket or two?
2_Retired
Explorer
Jun 21, 2021
DH and I have a handwritten list we keep in our RV. It contains all the steps for setting up and breaking down. Every single step is on there because at one time we forgot to do it! Add this one to yours and be grateful the only negative impact was to your self-image! You'll never forget the pin again!
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jun 21, 2021
I second - WOW ! ! and also agree that the RUST was your savior that day for sure ! !
I am AMAZED that it stayed.... If it were ME, I would have payed the lottery that day hoping the luck stayed a bit.
wowens79
Explorer III
Jun 21, 2021
I was hooking up the boat trailer in the rain and hurrying, and forgot to latch the hitch to the ball. Pulled it about 150 miles, very thankful there was alot of tongue weight.
riltri
Explorer
Jun 21, 2021
Do you have the pin? Are you certain that no one pulled the cotter pin while you stopped somewhere. I was pulling a U-haul trailer to move my daughter from college. Towed 200 miles to her new apartment the first day. The next day, I checked everything twice before leaving to head home. I stopped for lunch at a Taco Bell. Some A-hole pulled the cotter pin while I was eating. About 50 miles later, the trailer took off down thru a field. No injuries or damage but people do that type of thing for "laughs".
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 21, 2021
I haven't made that bonehead goof but I have made many other bonehead goofs!

Regarding riltri's comment, that's why I have a written check list before any initial day's departure with NO exceptions and use pin with a lock.
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Jun 21, 2021
Indeed I should buy a lottery ticket, that was one of my first thoughts.

Something so simple and obvious as pinning the hitch, didn't think I could possibly overlook that.

Yup, guess I need to start making my check list. Or be more diligent about my visual checks. I checked the pigtail, breakaway, chains and coupler lock but this time didn't look at the pin. 2 or 3 visual checks and I missed it.

Yes, I have the pin. I use one with a lock to eliminate the chance of some bozo pulling the pin. It was right where I store it when not in use.

Rust and friction were indeed my friend, along with 880 pounds of tongue weight. Then couple that with the fact I did not use my WD bars this trip.

The combination of all this gave me horseshoes where I sit.

Never again!
noteven
Explorer III
Jun 21, 2021
Oh dear…