Safety Check reminder - look at all parts of the hitch

[85MH325]

In addition to my travel trailer, I have a utility trailer that I use to tow my Kubota tractor back and forth to some property I own for both mowing and snow removal. Last night, I hitched the trailer and towed the tractor up and back. When I got home, unloaded, and unhitched, I found that the hair pin cotter that retains the hitch pin was missing. All that was holding the hitch pin in was the friction of the draw bar pulling against it. I could have just as easily lost the drawbar and everything attached to it. I presume that the hair pin cotter probably just broke from stress and fell out. Not only did I not check the rigging before I left to come home with the tractor, I stopped on the way home for a sandwich, and didn't check the rigging there either. I could have caught that either time had I done the walk-around that I "always" do, but failed to do twice last night!

So... the moral of the story is to remind us to walk around our trailers and check our rigging every time we stop and have the chance.

Roger

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

In addition to my travel trailer, I have a utility trailer that I use to tow my Kubota tractor back and forth to some property I own for both mowing and snow removal. Last night, I hitched the trailer and towed the tractor up and back. When I got home, unloaded, and unhitched, I found that the hair pin cotter that retains the hitch pin was missing. All that was holding the hitch pin in was the friction of the draw bar pulling against it. I could have just as easily lost the drawbar and everything attached to it. I presume that the hair pin cotter probably just broke from stress and fell out. Not only did I not check the rigging before I left to come home with the tractor, I stopped on the way home for a sandwich, and didn't check the rigging there either. I could have caught that either time had I done the walk-around that I "always" do, but failed to do twice last night!

So... the moral of the story is to remind us to walk around our trailers and check our rigging every time we stop and have the chance.

Roger

Wow,
You had an angel looking over you last night!
I don't use those pins for that reason. I use a locking strait hitch pin.
Ever time I stop I do a walk around of the entire trailer and towing setup. I have found one of my WD locking pins missing. I carry spares.

[Robbie R.]

Glad you are ok and your equipment too.

I learned a phrase sometime back I still recite often when towing.

SHAKE, RATTLE then ROLL........

Shake and rattle your hitch and pins...then roll on.

(I know, kind of silly, but helps me remember)

Robbie R.