Safety check

[Shadow Catcher]

The one thing not discussed here is the adjustment of the coupler! There is a nut under there and this DOES need to be adjusted for a tight fit. As many of you know this bit me and if you do not this can happen to you.



I will be changing to a Bulldog coupler

[Shadow Catcher]

Since this was last posted one other item as a safety concern has come up. Evidently there have been instances where "kids" (doesn't matter what age) have removed the hitch pin from the tow vehicle draw bar and waited around to watch the fun. We found this out from friends who had this happen. A locking hitch pin is the obvious answer.
Compass Rose was fully repaired and a Bulldog coupler used, much more secure.

[mechmagcn]

Since this was last posted one other item as a safety concern has come up. Evidently there have been instances where "kids" (doesn't matter what age) have removed the hitch pin from the tow vehicle draw bar and waited around to watch the fun. We found this out from friends who had this happen. A locking hitch pin is the obvious answer.

Had that happen in Carmacks YT during my AK trip this spring, had stopped for fuel and groceries and pulled out without checking the hitch, got about 2 miles down the road when I hit my brakes to make a turn it felt like I was hit from behind, the culprit was my own teardrop! The receiver hitch had slid almost all the way out and it slammed in when I hit the brakes I know someone had pulled it because both safety chains had been unhooked from the bumper and hung on the upper frame rail of the trailer I want to see someone pull my pin now, it is a 1/2'' bolt, double nutted with a nylock nut on the outside

[bearfromobx]

Never reuse the lockwasher when you remove or loosen the ball!!! Until I replaced my receiver ball assembly with a welded 3-way (three balls of different sizes), I kept a spare nut and lock washer in my truck's toolbox. Damage or wear to either cam allow the ball to get loose. Even if you have a welded receiver, take a look at the welds for cracks, rust or separation; they can come apart too!

[bearfromobx]

Since this was last posted one other item as a safety concern has come up. Evidently there have been instances where "kids" (doesn't matter what age) have removed the hitch pin from the tow vehicle draw bar and waited around to watch the fun. We found this out from friends who had this happen. A locking hitch pin is the obvious answer.

Had that happen in Carmacks YT during my AK trip this spring, had stopped for fuel and groceries and pulled out without checking the hitch, got about 2 miles down the road when I hit my brakes to make a turn it felt like I was hit from behind, the culprit was my own teardrop! The receiver hitch had slid almost all the way out and it slammed in when I hit the brakes I know someone had pulled it because both safety chains had been unhooked from the bumper and hung on the upper frame rail of the trailer I want to see someone pull my pin now, it is a 1/2'' bolt, double nutted with a nylock nut on the outside

Grade 8 please???

[vanderhoof57]

Good idea to check those things! One suggestion is to acquire an additional nut and jamb it up to the original one. It will never come loose!

[MarkusMasonis]

Yup -- it's easy to think a guy is being paranoid ... but it's probably because he's been burned in the past by all of the things he's checking!

[SSTear]

Euro Style Tow Bar