DTSFab.com (Desert, Trail and Sand)
Machinery, Trailers, Toyhaulers and Motorhomes => Trailers, Toyhaulers and Motorhomes => Topic started by: Carlriddle on October 26, 2011, 10:25:19 AM
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Copied from GD, but thought it was important enough for all of us.
Trailer ball nuts.
I had a very unfortunate incident happen to me on the way home from Glamis on Sunday. About 10 miles past the immigration checkpoint on the 86, as I was making the drive home from a great weekend of duning, my 26' enclosed trailer with my buggy inside in tow, I heard and felt the trailer comming disconnected from the Suburban. It immediately pitched the Suburban hard left, then a complete 180. As I was sliding backwards with the trailer right next to me, it entered the dirt in the center median. Luckily the safety chains snapped and the trailer continued on straight thru the oncoming lanes and came to a rest on the southbound shoulder. The Suburban didn't fair as well, flipping once before coming to a stop on all four wheels. An ambulance ride and 7 hours later, I was on my way home. My back is pretty jacked up, but thinking about what could have happened, I'm on lucky SOB. The trailer came away with only a few scuff marks from making contact with the truck as I was sliding backwards right next to it, and stayed completely upright throughout the wild ride. Everything inside including the buggy didn't move one bit. The ball was still in the coupler, leading me to believe the nut came loose and the ball came out when I hit a bump in the road.
I have to give a big thank you to Steve aka Deanasuaras, for all that he did. I called Steve, who was dropping his stuff at storage and told him what happened. He made all the calls to my family at home and with the towing companies to find out where they would be taking my stuff. He watied for hours at the hospital for me to get released, bought new safety chains and wiring to tow the trailer home and arranged to have my wife meet us in Westmorland to take me home. Duner of the month stuff for sure.
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Good samaritans lurk around many corners.
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Something to check for sure.
I have been on the highway right near my house and saw a small boat on a trialer fall of the back of the truck pulling it and slide down the road for a long ways before heading into the median.
The Problem? There was no pin in the Reese 2 inch reciver. It had fallen out somehow somewhere.
Amazingly the boat did not flip and no harm was done other than a little paint loss and some metal scrapes on the hitch reciever insert.
I asked the guy why the safety chains were not hooked up and he says to me "We were only going a few miles from the lake to my house...."
Which brings me to ask. Is it good that the safety chains snapped on the scene that Carl posted?
They SHOULD be able to hold the load and keep it close to where the ball and hitch is/was.
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Legally you are right. Morally I feel we have a responsibility to have adequate chains. Damn! I gotta get that done now!Not really a laughing matter but,ya,I gotta get my chains installed.
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Chains? Should have been able to stay attached to tow vehicle, might have kept it from flipping. Could have made it much worse. Luckiest part was that trailer didnt hit oncoming traffic, and all contents stayed in place. Good strapping.
Fabr did you have chains on BBQ trailer?
Part I've seen that looks weakest to me are usually the hooks. And whats your thought on twisting chains to take up slack?
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Yes on BBQ. No ,on current. Law says I am to have them. All my other trailers have safety chains. Properly setup chains are supposed to be of equal length ,crossed under tongue and of adequate length to allow freedom to make full turns without binding yet preventing tongue from contacting pavement if trailer should come unhitched. So much for theory tho. Twisting to take up slack is not a good idea since maintaining equal lengths is difficult at best. Unequal lengths = sharp turns if comes uncoupled. Likely what occurred to this unhappy motorist.
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This reminds me, after I got home realized one of my trailer wheels sure was leaning a bunch, but hey I was jack kniving it up to garage. So I get out wheel covered with grease, crap. Outer wheel bearing GONE, dust cap GONE. No damage to spindle or hub, lucky, so only $15 for parts. Still need to check rest of them.
DS is still pissed, he cant get away with shit without it bitting him. rofl rofl Thinks I'm lucky, but must not be cause damn lotto ### not hit yet.
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Why do they recommend chain's on gooses necks but not on fith wheels?
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I don't know but it might have to do with a fifth wheel(RV) would fall 15-18" or so,trailer would likely drag roadway,trailer would fall on most bedsides,kingpin would puncture bed when it drops, ,,,,,,,,,hell I don't know. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Just wondering. Always see the chain's on the gooses neck trailers but never see them on a fiver. Eighteen wheelers don't have chain's.
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Fabr yours is a fiver right? I'm with fast only goosers have I seen chains. Not fives. Always figured on eighteen wheelers it was air brake thing kept from needing chains.
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The spring brakes on a 18 wheeler is why. When the air lines come undone it sets them and stops the trailer, but thats after the landing gear digs into the pavement lol. And they don't make a chain heavy enough in a small enough size to handle the twisting of it when he jack knifed. they are only suppose to handle tongue weight if ball comes off.
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The spring brakes on a 18 wheeler is why. When the air lines come undone it sets them and stops the trailer, but thats after the landing gear digs into the pavement lol. And they don't make a chain heavy enough in a small enough size to handle the twisting of it when he jack knifed. they are only suppose to handle tongue weight if ball comes off.
[/color]yup
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Fabr yours is a fiver right? I'm with fast only goosers have I seen chains. Not fives. Always figured on eighteen wheelers it was air brake thing kept from needing chains.
yes,it is.I agree on the 18 wheelers not using chains due to the air brakes but that doesn't apply to electrics.WAIT! Yes it does since we're required to have an electric breakaway device to set brakes if uncoupled. WAIT! Most are inoperative. rofl rofl rofl rofl Anyone know of any reason chains SHOULDN'T be used on a fith wheel? BEFORE I do something totally wrong? ;D ;D ;D
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Where would you hookem on a fifth wheel to cross over under the front and support it?? ;)
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Uh,I dunno. Good point! Never really gave it any thought and obviously haven't still yet. rofl rofl rofl Maybe I just need to make sure the breakaway battery is good and call it a day. ;D ;D
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Where would you hookem on a fifth wheel to cross over under the front and support it?? ;)
Same goes for a gooseneck. Only keep it in the truck bed.
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I always figured the 5th wheels did not need them as the locking mechanism was different and less prone to breakaway?
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Unless you forget t put the pin in...............................................
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Attached is alink to a list of states that have trailor requirements (this is probably only the states that replied).
Remember just because your state does not require something, doesn't remove you from civil action or even another law that would cover the situation, for example Georgia has no trailer chain requirements, but in the event of a detached trailer, an officer may write you for failure to secure load (would probably not happen unless there was property damage) or he might write you for one of many laws that are so vague, that they are often left up to the officers interpretation and eventually the Judges decision.
Civil suit, on the other hand, knows no boundries, if they can show deliberent indifference (there is not a law, but you were aware of the potential dangers, just go back and search any forum you may have ever posted on, ex-wife, ex-friend or stupid wife/ friend haha)
I have seen two fifth wheels come loose from the hitch, they both landed on the pickup bed side walls, causeing damage to the truck but were easily controlled, fw are very stable, I think that goose necks are recommended / reqired to have chains, as most usage was with flat beds and therefore could easliy slide off (as time goes by GN have become increasingly more popular with RVs, who use regular p/u beds (I used one as a way to have more bed space.
http://webspace.webring.com/people/jv/vintage_campers1/StateSafetyChainLaws.pdf (http://webspace.webring.com/people/jv/vintage_campers1/StateSafetyChainLaws.pdf)
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Comprehensive rules of the road:
http://www.woodalls.com/articledetails.aspx?articleID=1195129 (http://www.woodalls.com/articledetails.aspx?articleID=1195129)
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Attached is alink to a list of states that have trailor requirements (this is probably only the states that replied).
Remember just because your state does not require something, doesn't remove you from civil action or even another law that would cover the situation, for example Georgia has no trailer chain requirements, but in the event of a detached trailer, an officer may write you for failure to secure load (would probably not happen unless there was property damage) or he might write you for one of many laws that are so vague, that they are often left up to the officers interpretation and eventually the Judges decision.
Civil suit, on the other hand, knows no boundries, if they can show deliberent indifference (there is not a law, but you were aware of the potential dangers, just go back and search any forum you may have ever posted on, ex-wife, ex-friend or stupid wife/ friend haha)
I have seen two fifth wheels come loose from the hitch, they both landed on the pickup bed side walls, causeing damage to the truck but were easily controlled, fw are very stable, I think that goose necks are recommended / reqired to have chains, as most usage was with flat beds and therefore could easliy slide off (as time goes by GN have become increasingly more popular with RVs, who use regular p/u beds (I used one as a way to have more bed space.
http://webspace.webring.com/people/jv/vintage_campers1/StateSafetyChainLaws.pdf (http://webspace.webring.com/people/jv/vintage_campers1/StateSafetyChainLaws.pdf)
Not correct. All states have reciprocity concerning trailer safety requirements. If it's legal in the state of registry it's 50 state legal. Example: many states have 40 foot limit on trailers but many allow longer. All you gotta do is be legal in my state of registry and I can pull my 43 footer legally in the states that have 40 foot limits. Some doofus officer may TRY to ticket you but he has no legal right to do so. Keep a copy of YOUR states statutes in the glove box.
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No. For example some states allow triples - try that in a state that does not. A street legal vehicle in AZ may not be street legal in CA. (Think rhino, quad, etc)
Reciprocity does not apply on Motor vehicles 100%.
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No. For example some states allow triples - try that in a state that does not. A street legal vehicle in AZ may not be street legal in CA. (Think rhino, quad, etc)
Reciprocity does not apply on Motor vehicles 100%.
Why must you always apply logic?
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Why must you always apply logic?
Because I am German. (And right)
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I thought we were talking single trailer safety requirements . I'll admit tandems/triples are an exception just as are local restrictions,such as no trailers over limits not being allowed to be on the roadway where restricted . Using the triple trailer example,each individual trailer is required to have its' state of registry safety requirements and will be 50 state legal as individual trailers while not being allowed to run as triples in states not allowing triples. Each individual trailer,meeting the state of registry requirements, though IS legal for use in 50 states.Of course ,DOT requirements trump all.
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Because I am German. (And right)
Well I'm German and a Capricorn and just a tad left. rofl
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Well,I'm about 1/4 German and a quarter Dutch. You know how right the germans are and how stubborn the dutch are................................ ;D ;D ;D Fast you going to cut 3 feet of your toyhauler for Glamis? I'm not. Remember Ariz and Cali are 40 foot max. ;D ;D ;D ;D rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl
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Well,I'm about 1/4 German and a quarter Dutch. You know how right the germans are and how stubborn the dutch are................................ ;D ;D ;D Fast you going to cut 3 feet of your toyhauler for Glamis? I'm not. Remember Ariz and Cali are 40 foot max. ;D ;D ;D ;D rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl
I'll just trip the leo when he get to 40 feet. Maybe he'll drop his tape and break it. rofl
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Hehehheheheheeeee. Same here.
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Not correct. All states have reciprocity concerning trailer safety requirements. If it's legal in the state of registry it's 50 state legal. Example: many states have 40 foot limit on trailers but many allow longer. All you gotta do is be legal in my state of registry and I can pull my 43 footer legally in the states that have 40 foot limits. Some doofus officer may TRY to ticket you but he has no legal right to do so. Keep a copy of YOUR states statutes in the glove box.
I realize that, well most of the part that was accurate. I was talking about civil action, and other laws that may apply (within your own state, never said anything about crossing state lines).....unless a law specifically releases you from very specific conditions, you are subject to the elements of every other law, that applies, I.E. as in this case "Failure to secure".
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I'll just trip the leo when he get to 40 feet. Maybe he'll drop his tape and break it. rofl
Hey that's not nice, you gonna make it to G for Vets Day? Tim
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Hey that's not nice, you gonna make it to G for Vets Day? Tim
Man I wish. Going to be about a week late. Then it is going to be a real fast trip. Just need to get my Yuma trailer down there so I'll have something to get my car to mother G xmas to new years.
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I realize that, well most of the part that was accurate. I was talking about civil action, and other laws that may apply (within your own state, never said anything about crossing state lines).....unless a law specifically releases you from very specific conditions, you are subject to the elements of every other law, that applies, I.E. as in this case "Failure to secure".
I couldn't agree more with that.
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ya carl I am still impressed that you got away with that and i can't!! lol
I have never had one come loose but in fact had to cut several off cause I couldn't get them off but of course when I put them on it's with a serious wrench!!