It may be the kind of thing a slightly deranged person creates to solve a problem they had, but it didn't work, so they coiled it up, wrapped some copper wire around it to keep it from un-coiling and threw it in a box thinking someday they will make it work better. Then when they sold the trailer, they got a laugh thinking about the buyer who would try to figure it out.
I think the wooden handle provides a classy touch.
Or, it may be the advanced version of:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...stick+attached
Gene