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!!!!

I'll have to point this out to the wife. Would hate to see her get hurt.

Thanks for sharing. Hope you feel better soon.

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 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. :BOP, 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

I actually think about stepping over all the time, but I always walk around. Hope you get better soon.

Don't be lazy | Good Sam Community

jobythebay
Explorer
Dec 16, 2013
BurbMan wrote:
OP, sorry to hear about your mishap and hopefully no serious damage done.

I always step ON the hitch or ON the truck bumper and hold onto the electric jack head while stepping over. I have banged my shims and almost fallen too many times just trying to step over the hitch. I put one foot on the hitch or the bumper, grab the jack head, and swing the other foot over to the other side. Use extreme caution if either the hitch or bumper are wet from rain, don't ask me now I know that....

If the truck and TT are at an angle, sometimes you can't fit through and need to walk around.

and for those of you who have travel trailers (I walked around our truck) I had bursitis from climbing over the doggie gates in our house. Needless to say I stopped the laziness and now move them. Be careful.
Atlee
Explorer II
Dec 16, 2013
old guy wrote:
I'm old, I can't get my leg up that high any more.

Amen to this. That said, if the trailer is still hitched to the truck, I may step on the hitch to cross over.
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Dec 16, 2013
op, sorry to hear of your fall. It's amazing how many accidents result in a comment, "I'm an idiot, what was I thinking!"

That's not a disparagement towards you, rather a recognition that your reminder is one many of us certainly do not mind ;)

Btw, try a little ginger root for that shoulder. Almost no side effects (minor blood thinner warning) and does a fair job of keeping the inflammation down so you can heal without all the drug effects.

Not 'medical' advice, simply a tip from one who deals with shoulder pain quite often.

Hope you heal quickly!
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
I 5 feet tall and Fat as Santa, could'nt get over it with a trampoline. My shoulder hurts from fishing on the Mosquito Lagoon and catching 25 lb Reds with Capt. Karty.
BurbMan
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2013
OP, sorry to hear about your mishap and hopefully no serious damage done.

I always step ON the hitch or ON the truck bumper and hold onto the electric jack head while stepping over. I have banged my shims and almost fallen too many times just trying to step over the hitch. I put one foot on the hitch or the bumper, grab the jack head, and swing the other foot over to the other side. Use extreme caution if either the hitch or bumper are wet from rain, don't ask me now I know that....

If the truck and TT are at an angle, sometimes you can't fit through and need to walk around.
DE88ROX
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
wrvond wrote:
camperforlife wrote:
I'm stealthy as a cat:B.

Funny you should mention that. Last night my cat, while trying to be extra stealthy, fell off the bed and landed very hard on the wooden floor. :E I think he spent the rest of the night under the bed nursing his wounded pride. :W

I have a cat too that is lacking "cat like skills"
wrvond
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2013
camperforlife wrote:
I'm stealthy as a cat:B.

Funny you should mention that. Last night my cat, while trying to be extra stealthy, fell off the bed and landed very hard on the wooden floor. :E I think he spent the rest of the night under the bed nursing his wounded pride. :W
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Dec 04, 2013
I've banged my shins on the hitch sticking out of my truck many times. It's not that hard to bend over and remove it but, if I'm in a hurry I don't and end up regretting it later.
Tim_W
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
The biggest thing that steers me away from stepping over the hitch area is when I am concerned about getting dirty - I seem to always end up with grease from somewhere on my pants leg.

Same here
DE88ROX
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
What always gets me, if im wearing shorts, is the ball that holds anti-sway bar. Never fails, the one time I dont look out for it grabbing my shorts, is the one time time I get snagged. Grrrrrr

I have a coil cord type break away cable so that pretty much stays right in line with the a-frame of the trailer. I don't think I could step into it if I tried.

Just had a "procedure" done on my shoulder as well. Hope you didn't mess yours up to bad.

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