Trailer comes loose and KILLS two...
 

It happens--double check your setup!

http://www.startribune.com/local/952...nciaec8O7EyUsl
:( :(

http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/IsabelRoseCox.jpg http://stmedia.startribune.com/image...MichaelCox.jpg

Crawl underneath and inspect each weld, structure, and fastener.
It's a good idea to replace the ball every once in a while as well. They do wear down.
Check the coupler.
Check the chains.
Check the brakes.
Check the brakes break-away cable/system/battery.
And always run with a locking pin in the top of the coupler.

Check everything on the trailer side too, including the tongue for signs of metal fatigue. Also, make sure your chains are secured with Grade-8 bolts or better so they don't just rip off the trailer if something happens.

Go a step farther here:
http://www.trailerguardian.com/

That is so sad!

I had a trailer come off on my on the highway. It was a little pup up tent one. I did not even know it was off tell I looked in my side view mirror and saw it out the left side then looked in my right side view and it was over there swinging violently back and forth. I got SOOOOO lucky it did not come off. Had to pull over and change the shorts after that. I had used a wire tie to hold down the clasp and some how the tie broke and the clasp lifted and off it came.

I know a lot of people tow without a pin in the coupler, and I used to on occasion, until I had a 30 ft snowmobile trailer pop of the hitch, break off the cables and sit in the middle of a highway in the middle of the winter. Luckily the first person to pass us was the local police who helped me get it back on the hitch. it was properly seated on the hitch, but somehow popped the hitch...I never tow anything now without a lock or pin in the coupler.

Awful- my condolences.

Dave Sampson - AKA:Uncle Dave

Sad :(

When i bought my stinger the trailer didnt come with any chains...and every trailer i've towed always had chains that were too long. So i thought i'd do this one a little different. Went to Home depot and got some coiled cables with loops on both ends. And got some stainless quick clip rings. Now its super quick to hookup or disconnect and i dont have to worry about a hook bouncing off. I also changed the trailer connection wiring. I was a west marine one day and saw this 6' coiled trailer cord/connector. They had a variety of them but nothing of what i had in mind so i got the closest one and made my own :D Now the trailer will not have ANY lights unless they have this cord with them...puls it keeps all the wiring off the ground...nothing hanging when not inuse. Plus in the event it gets stolen there will be no lights and hopfully get pulled over right quick! :D

Very Sad

that is sad. I know almost everybody I boat with tows with an overloaded tow vehicle, no trailer brakes, no breakaways, bad tires etc. I feel like a preacher with them. They think it can't happen to them. Safety has no price, I bought new tires this year just because they were 5 years old. They looked ok but it is time. I check my brakes, tire psi and everything before I pull out of the driveway.

That's alright brother, just keep preachin' :ernaehrung004:
Maybe one day they'll listen before it's too late:(

I've got an old FJ62 Landcruiser. Beast of a truck for off roading, camping and such.

Need to pull airboats (up to about 22'), amphibious vehicles, and some other rescue related gear.

Because the brakes are so crappy on these things and the wheel base is not suiitable for towing...It's not safe.
So, I'm looking to find an Excursion diesel. Right tool for the right job.

I could have gone all day without reading this:(

R.I.P. daddy and daughter:(