Don't be lazy

[camperforlife]

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!!!!

[jmckelvy]

It also hurts when you don't quite clear the jack handle!:(

[SoCalDesertRid1]

I'm lucky to be in good enough health to climb all over my rigs without worry. A few years from now I'll feel differently about it....

[BillB800si]

After reading all these replies my thoughts are;
These are the "golden years"????? Knees going- hips going- shoulders going- eyesight going- sex--- ah well you get the idea.:B

Be careful folks and maybe we'll all meet up somewhere down the road.
Happy trails,

[dadmomh]

At 5'6" I have never felt comfortable climbing over, although DH does it all the time. Probably should point this out to him, since neither his high-tech hip or leg brace would be good in a fall like that. Oh, ouch....sorry about the tumble. Hope you mend quickly....those shoulder things are no fun....not to mention the PT later. PT folks are a "mean" bunch! Take care.

[BarneyS]

Beachums wrote:
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.

Although I agree that it is a good idea to walk around, I don't quite understand the "straddling", "pinch point" reference and the"vital parts of your anatomy". Surely you don' t mean the coupler can jump off of the ball since the trailer has tongue weight holding it on plus the WD bars pull down on yhe coupler making the pressure on yhe ball even greater. It cannot come up on it's own.

In addition, if the couler is on the ball, the truck and trailer cannot come together. What can cause a "pinch point"?
Barney

[Nvr2loud]

I hope you are just sore, and not damaged, good luck with a speedy recovery!

I'm lazy too, I always go over the hitch, usually I use the top cover of the coupler as the step. I don't go over the A-frame because it is too tight there and I don't like hitting my shins. Good advice, but I think I'm just too lazy to change LOL.

[Dog_Folks]

Get well and thanks for posting.

When unhooking, my wife does the passenger side and I do the drivers side, because the walk around is hard on me. (Disability)

It works well.

[CavemanCharlie]

I Hope your couple days of soreness go by quickly. Good advice on being careful.

[Chuck_thehammer]

Get Well Soon,

and I being a newbe... thanks for the advice.
and I will try to keep it in this old brain.

[WyoTraveler]

Having done some farming realize how dangerous it is walking between. Also being a retired LEO I hesitate walking between any vehicles. I learned from other peoples mistakes.

[Bears_Den]

I walk around for two reasons, one I'm tired of banging my shins and two as NanciL posted I'm tired of getting grease on myself.

[NanciL]

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

[old_guy]

I'm old, I can't get my leg up that high any more.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

🙂 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]

Thank goodness I'm too short to even attempt to cross over that way!

Hope you get better soon!

WoodGlue