From: Royce C Hayes (rc_hayes1@juno.com)
Date: Thu Feb 27 2003 - 08:56:07 PST
I have been in the RV and hitch business for almost 23 years.
The most common mistakes that people make with ball hitches are:
(1) Trying to hitch heavy loads to the bumper of a truck.
(2) Buying a cheap ball.
(3) Using a ball with the wrong size shank for the hole that it goes
into.
(4) Either not knowing about, or using and equalizer hitch and sway
control when towing heavy loads.
(5) Not using electric brakes while towing.
The most important thing in towing is being properly set up to tow. Most
people think that if they have a hitch ball and that ball will fit their
trailer, then that is all that is necessary. Definitely, not so! I have
pulled travel trailers and car trailers thousands of miles without one
mishap. I tow prepared.
Royce
====================================
On Thu, 27 Feb 2003 08:29:18 -0600 "Everette" <194cbteng@pchnet.com>
writes:
> 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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