Double check your trailer hook-ups.

[fishmen111]

Well, I guess it had to happen eventually. I went about 2 hours north this morning to pick up a boat trailer I had been looking for for quite a while. The guys I got the trailer from were obviously very experienced with boats as they had at least 12 in their back yard. While I was working on a wiring issue, they hitched me up. Got about two miles, went over a bridge and BAM, followed by the unmistakable sound of metal on asphalt. Pulled off in a wheat field for inspection only to find that between the three of the guys, there was no way the latch could come up, they just never fully seated the hitch over the ball. Chains saved my a*s though. Been towing stuff for 30 years and never had this happen. There is no one to blame but me, but if loaded, it could have gotten messy on that 4' wide pitiful excuse for a road. Always verify proper seating and use the safety chains. Learned my lesson. Gotta go, the white pearch, shad and herring are running...stripers right behind! YEE HAAAA!!!

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Double check your trailer hook-ups.

Yep, need to verify everything is done right yourself nowadays.
Go wear them out. The fish that is.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Double check your trailer hook-ups.

Last summer my wife and I were on our way to our hideaway for a weeks worth of fun and adventure with our two daughters and their families, all of us had boats in tow. We had agreed to meet at a specific time and make the journey together. My son-in-law pulled up with my daughter obviously upset over being late. As we chatted and the guys were busy getting the two way communicators on the same channel I noticed that my son-in-laws coupler was not fully down over the ball. When one of them announced that they were ready to go i said no we aren't. I said one of you has a serious issue and made them go over their rigs to see if they picked up on it. Neither one did so I had to point out the problem. Fortunately, they had traveled on smooth city streets to reach our gathering point but that mistake could have resulted in a first day disaster. Now my daughter was really upset. She got over it but she does the inspection now. Coupler, lights, tires, chains, and tie downs are mandatory checks before any trip -- regardless of length.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Double check your trailer hook-ups.

also besure you have the right ball for the coupling.

 

[jddenham]

Re: Double check your trailer hook-ups.

I had a small trailer with a motorbike pop off the ball. It was a borrowed trailer and the coupler was adjusted too loose so it popped right off as I was entering a parking lot at slow speed.

A few turns of the lock nut under the coupler and it fit much more snug. I'd never thought to check something like that.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Double check your trailer hook-ups.

the inspection now. Coupler, lights, tires, chains, and tie downs are mandatory checks before any trip -- regardless of length.

Good reminder for everyone with Spring coming, we all will be towing again soon.

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: Double check your trailer hook-ups.

also besure you have the right ball for the coupling.

I made this mistake once. I towed the boat about 6 hours mostly at highway speeds to a cottage me and a few buddies rented. The launch ramp was more like a beach so I decided to use my buddies 4x4 Jimmy to launch the boat.

I removed the trailer and began to remove the trailer ball from my car to put on his truck. I noticed the ball had more rust on it than it used to, I thought that was strange. I was just about to put it on my buddies Jimmy when I noticed the 1 7/8" size stamped on the ball. I felt like a complete idiot. My trailer takes a 2" ball.

A few weeks before I used my Dad's utility trailer that had a 1 7/8" ball and I forgot to change the ball back to the 2" one. I had the other ball with me so I changed it right away.

Thank God nothing happened or I would never have forgiven myself. Needless to say I always check now.