From: Everette (194cbteng@pchnet.com)
Date: Thu Feb 27 2003 - 06:29:18 PST
my .02
Let me take space to relate this -- several years ago after returning home
from a long trip pulling loaded (loaded with Jeep) trailer behind my pickup;
I pulled latch to release ball and jacked tongue up off ball. Much to my
surprise the ball came out of hole in hitch on truck, the nut had come off
and trailer was only staying on by tongue weight. I have never used a
ball, sinced then, that does not have stud on it that sticks through truck
hitch. If I had been using the more poplar ones that have a bolt that
sticks through and screws into ball I would have lost trailer and load - at
a minimum - I hate to think what could have happened.
Everette
Not always correct; but never in doubt
----- Original Message -----
From: <MVTrucker@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [MV] A safety warning for loading trailers
After I restored my 1945 MB, the first show I took it to
was held at Fort Dix, NJ. I placed jack stands under the
rear of my car trailer and drove the MB on. Dix is about
a 2-1/2 hour drive from my place, going up bumpity-bump
Rte. 206. After I arrived, I placed the jack stands and
drove the MB off. No indication of a problem. After the
show, I loaded the MB, put the stands in the tool box
and proceeded to leave. WHAM! Bump, bump and a
jerk backwards. I looked in the mirror and was shocked
to see the trailer disconnected from the hitch. I had
forgotten to lock the ball hitch when I hooked up the
trailer. Serious case of dumb guy. Apparently, I had
more tongue weight for the drive up than after I loaded
for the drive home. Enough weight to prevent the
trailer and my beloved MB from taking a ride on their
own. DOUBLE CHECK THE BALL HITCH. I was
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