What does a runaway trailer really do?

[Dozernut]

I can tell you first hand what a loose trailer will do.

A guy was towing a small two wheel trailer loaded with used lumber when the trailer disconnected. The trailer went into the oncoming lane where it hit a pickup truck head on. The sudden deceleration of the trailer stopped it but not the lumber which was still travelling at 50+mph. The lumber slid up the hood of the truck, broke out the windshield and splintered on impact. The driver of the truck took the full impact of the lumber and splinters in his face and neck. He lived but endured several surgeries to repair the damage to his face, skull and neck.

It seems that dog chains and S hooks (and an improperly sized ball) do not manage to replace certified safety chains. The litigation went on for years.

 

[MillWeld]

I always make sure that my brake away cable is just a tad shorter than the safety chains that way if it comes off the ball it would hopefully engage the brakes but keep it chained to my truck so that I can control it to a safe stop.
That is a good idea, DP. I will do that today.

I also jack the back of the truck up after hookup to test the latch.
Another good idea, timswi. (Do you mean jack the trailer up til it lifts the truck rear?). I may not go that far but I will start testing the hookup w/ the trailer jack.

Bob

 

[Ryan03]

One of our construction crews at work witnessed something like this about 5 years ago. They had a lane closed doing roadway maintenance, and a flagger stopping traffic. A young couple went through the zone on a motorcycle in the apprx middle of the line of traffic. Once it was apprx. 500ft outside of the zone, the motorcycle was struck head on by a 6 inch towable water pump that had become disconnected from an oncoming pickup truck. The pump was being towed on a pintle, with no safety chains, and no safety lock pin in the pintle. Both people on the motorcycle were killed.

 

[Soundguy]

I have never had it happen but I know of a few folks that it has happened to. One came out good the other not so.

I always make sure that my brake away cable is just a tad shorter than the safety chains that way if it comes off the ball it would hopefully engage the brakes but keep it chained to my truck so that I can control it to a safe stop.

What I dont agree with is no safety chains on a 5th wheel. I seen a Dodge truck pulling a large 3 axle toy hauler when it came lose. Was not pretty at all. Tore the tailgate right off the truck then the trailer veered off the road with the crown and took out a telephone pole. It was a total loss.

Chris

I agree.. safety chains are a godsend. In fact.. if your safety chain setup is correct and legal.. it would take catastrophic hitch failure really for the deal to split.. I'll have to check my reese adapter for the presence of places to hook safety chains. I know my 'the goose' reese adapter has them for the GN.. etc.

 

[RobertN]

Interesting you mention this. You would think safety chains would be required, since you can have riders in a 5th wheel(if you have communication to the tow vehicle).

What I dont agree with is no safety chains on a 5th wheel. I seen a Dodge truck pulling a large 3 axle toy hauler when it came lose. Was not pretty at all. Tore the tailgate right off the truck then the trailer veered off the road with the crown and took out a telephone pole. It was a total loss.

Chris

 

[Ken]

Interesting you mention this. You would think safety chains would be required, since you can have riders in a 5th wheel(if you have communication to the tow vehicle).

Those of you that use the Reese hitch of the older type be sure and look at the base attachment hook up. Some have developed cracks and will allow the reese hitch to wobble in the bed of pickup.
When I found mine Reese gave me new base plates with no charge. Also I painted the jaw of the hitch red so when connecting and checking have to see red to be sure it is correct.
Seldom see the safety brake wire connected to the truck Guess takes to much trouble to connect a light steel cable. to a hook.
Have always wondered why the pins are so small that holds the 5th whl. to bed of pick-up.
ken

 

[Soundguy]

are you saying your bed rails got loose? I retightened mine on my 450 one time.. been good since then..

 

[shortthrow50]

happened to me. the pintle came off on a brand new trailer while hauling 6 ton payload.My fault for not looking over the trailer. The landing gear had a skid plate on it so it glided nicely on the black top. The breakaway worked great it pulled the truck hard and kept the trailer fairly straight while pulling the truck with the saftey chains. If everything on your equipment is working properly, you should have a nice experience i had. I felt it come off for sure but at no time did i panick. this was a 20 foot trailer strapped to a heavy duty dodge truck at 40 mph. Samething happened to someone else at work with a triaxle dump truck pulling a case backhoe. I didnt see it happen nor was i there but the driver told me it scared the piss out of him and he panick and slammed on breaks causing load to hit him in the ***. no damage was done to anything fortunately

 

[Ken]

are you saying your bed rails got loose? I retightened mine on my 450 one time.. been good since then..

Soundguy not loose broken between the slots made to hold the pins.
When showed a Reese dealer He went inside and came out with complete new package. and after exchanging he sent the rails to Reese for payment.
ken

 

[westcliffe01]

I didn't see it, but I heard it as it happened in front of a home I owned... Guy towing a semi rigid inflateable boat in a single axle trailer took the long bend in front of my home at over 110mph. Boat was being towed by a pickup. The guy lost it on the turn and spun the truck and trailer. Snapped the hitch off the truck and he ended up colliding with the boat which came off the trailer and ended up in front of him in the road. Sounded like the end of the world... I think he hit the boat 2 or 3 times. I ran outside and the entire rigid section of the hull had been shattered. The trailer had rolled and was a lot smaller than the original size. The rear of the pickup was smashed from the trailer flailing around and the front from hitting the hull of the boat. The cops were talking to the driver for a very long time. I got a rake and a broom out and we cleaned up the road. I think the driver sobered up in jail..