Some of y'all are scarin' me!

[TucsonJim]

While at the Good Sam rally in Phoenix last month, a camper was parked next to us. She had an 18ft TT, and was pulling it with an SUV. While there, she purchased a new 22' TT from one of the vendors, but was upset that they were charging her for a "Brake Thingy". I asked her to explain and she showed me the sales contract which had a brake controller listed.

I told her it was probably just a mistake and to show me her current controller and I'd see if it would work on her new trailer. She didn't know what a brake controller was, and didn't know where it was located in her SUV. So I took a look and there was NO controller in her TV. She said she didn't need one because she had a plug on the back of the SUV that she plugged the trailer into and it should connect the brakes.

So I tried to spend the next half hour explaining how it all worked and her final comment was "I should be just fine without it". Hopefully, that dealer won't let her leave without following through and safely equipping her SUV.

Yikes!
:E

Jim

[Johno02]

extensive education and big credentials are not necessarily inclusive with common sense and how to use it.

[Old-Biscuit]

WHY you pointing fingers at the 'choir' :H

Folks on Open Roads Forum would not do anything like that :B

[ken56]

I will tell on myself here and what happened to me. Friends purchased a TT from a small dealer and needed me to tow it to my house for them and then they would come pick it up when they could. I got to the dealer and left my truck to have them set the hitch to it for the trip home.....came back a little while later and they said you are good to go so I got in my truck and left. This was an over night trip for me you see....go there, pick it up, stay the night, come home. I didn't have to unhitch at the motel so I just unplugged and took a little look at the hitch. It looked a little bit lighter than my own hitch I pull my TT with but I just dismissed it and went to my room. I finally get home and taking the hitch off my truck I see the rating sticker, 500 tongue, 5000 trailer weight. WELL....the trailer was 8000 lbs. with a 1000 lb. tongue wt. HOLY HECK BAT MAN! The trailer towed quite well and I had no problems with it but thank goodness all went well. You bet they heard about it the next day.

[rexlion]

Common sense isn't really common. I'm glad my father used to ramble on as he drove, telling me all the useful towing tidbits (among other great info) that he knew I might someday need.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

Have some very good friends. She a college professor and he an IT Director in a large bank. They towed their 27 ft TT for at least 3 years with no brakes. Even though I pointed it out to them several times. Thought the truck brakes would be all they needed. Not stupid people but not smart either.

[goducks10]

those kinds of people are why I quit riding motorcycles after 12 straight years. I've ridden off and on since I was 18. Way tooooo many drivers that don't care.

[colliehauler]

rhagfo wrote:

RoyB wrote:
You would think that the state DOT inspection station requirements would catch some of this... All of the installed DOT safety lights including the functioning electric brakes are all part of the required safety inspection here where I live.

when all passes then I get a current sticker placed on my trailer...

Roy Ken

Not all states have DOT inspections, I would hazard a guess that MOST DON'T.
We bought two trailers from out of state in Washington, and the only inspection we needed was a VIN inspection to be sure the numbers matched.

That's the way KS is as well, VIN inspection.

[Sgeorge]

No inspections in California.

[TucsonJim]

LJAZ wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

RoyB wrote:
You would think that the state DOT inspection station requirements would catch some of this... All of the installed DOT safety lights including the functioning electric brakes are all part of the required safety inspection here where I live.

when all passes then I get a current sticker placed on my trailer...

Roy Ken

Not all states have DOT inspections, I would hazard a guess that MOST DON'T.
We bought two trailers from out of state in Washington, and the only inspection we needed was a VIN inspection to be sure the numbers matched.

No DOT inspections required in AZ.

She was from California. I'm not sure if inspections are required there or not. I seem to remember that they only do emissions inspections there.

Jim

[LJAZ]

rhagfo wrote:

RoyB wrote:
You would think that the state DOT inspection station requirements would catch some of this... All of the installed DOT safety lights including the functioning electric brakes are all part of the required safety inspection here where I live.

when all passes then I get a current sticker placed on my trailer...

Roy Ken

Not all states have DOT inspections, I would hazard a guess that MOST DON'T.
We bought two trailers from out of state in Washington, and the only inspection we needed was a VIN inspection to be sure the numbers matched.

No DOT inspections required in AZ.

[1stgenfarmboy]

Every time I pass a giant diesel pusher towing a TV I wonder if the only other thing the guy driving has ever driven is his cady.


and you guys think towing an 8k lb TT with a well set up 1/2 ton is dangerous.

[rhagfo]

RoyB wrote:
You would think that the state DOT inspection station requirements would catch some of this... All of the installed DOT safety lights including the functioning electric brakes are all part of the required safety inspection here where I live.

when all passes then I get a current sticker placed on my trailer...

Roy Ken

Not all states have DOT inspections, I would hazard a guess that MOST DON'T.
We bought two trailers from out of state in Washington, and the only inspection we needed was a VIN inspection to be sure the numbers matched.

[BPRescue]

BadgerMcAdams wrote:
To paraphrase a line from a show...

Sometimes, Fate protects Fools, little children, and ships named Enterprise...

Commander Riker - Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Oh no you dit-int...

[colliehauler]

Friend was a tech at a large dealership. Lady pulls in wanting her A/C recharged. When the tech went to pull it in the shop the brakes were metal on metal and he about went through the door. Told the lady she needed her brakes fixed and the lady did not want to spend the money but did want her A/C fixed.

The shop refused to work on her car for liability reasons.

I seen a person that there tire was almost completely flat. I made a effort to catch up to tell them about it. There answer was it's been like that for a week?

[bobndot]

Some people have the idea that , 'it will never happen to me' .
They "disregard" the fact that other people share the same public highways as they do.
We all share the same responsibility and that is to be safe while sharing a common area.
When people "disregard" a possible threat against human life, then negligence falls in their lap. The result can be criminal and/or civil negligence.
Unfortunately, innocent people become victims all too often.