Author Topic: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing  (Read 5709 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline su888

  • Swag User
  • **
  • Posts: 76
Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« on: June 29, 2014, 07:32:11 PM »
Over the weekend i borrowed a dual axle trailer from bunnings, and as I was reversing up my driveway (about a 30 degree slop from the the street) i heard what i thought was the coupling unclip and reversed a bit more and my suspicious were confirmed by the 'lack of weight' on the towball reversing up the driveway.

Luckily all the damage was a slight graze to my rear bumper but nothing serious. However, begs me to ask the question are standard hitches that easy to detach?

I know my boat trailer has a little pin that you can install which i never have used (but will seriously be reconsidering that now) are the pins something that should be installed without question to stop this?

Sorry if this is a stupid question.


Offline Mace

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 3676
  • Thanked: 141 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Life's to short to drive a boring vehicle.
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2014, 07:42:13 PM »
A 30 degree uphill push is a big ask, if there was any wear or tear in either the ball or the hitch or other miss alignment than an uncouple would be possible.   Bare in mind that at this angle, the front lip of the hitch may actually make contact with the tongue in front of the towball and actually lever the hitch of the ball.

Another trick for young players is that the older imperial balls (1 and 7/8 inch) are smaller than the now standard 50mm ball. Many modern metric hitches have departed company with an older imperial tow ball.

 :cheers:
« Last Edit: June 29, 2014, 07:45:07 PM by Mace »
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel
2009 Coromal 452
2002 Commodore SS (The Toy)

Offline Mace

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 3676
  • Thanked: 141 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Life's to short to drive a boring vehicle.
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2014, 07:48:49 PM »
Also bare in mind that it's the initial change of angle that's the killer, ie, car on flat and trailer heading uphill.
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel
2009 Coromal 452
2002 Commodore SS (The Toy)

Offline BigJules

  • Administrator
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • *****
  • Posts: 7786
  • Thanked: 56 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Just Cruisin' - I wish...
    • I'm so much cooler online :D
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2014, 07:51:53 PM »
I not saying you didn't forget to drop the hitch properly, but as one who has made that mistake a couple of times, and twice with serious damage to the rear door of the Cruiser I'd suggest that was most likely.
Julian
Land Cruiser V8 + Trackabout Safari SV Extenda
MySwag Gallery, Photobucket
Sydney Agent for www.trackabout.com.au
Mallee Gear - Tough as nails

Offline Rumpig

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 6053
  • Thanked: 527 times
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2014, 07:53:12 PM »
maybe the coupling on the trailer needed adjusting?
The smell of bacon proves aromatherapy isn't total bull$/!t

Offline Mace

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 3676
  • Thanked: 141 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Life's to short to drive a boring vehicle.
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2014, 07:55:27 PM »
I not saying you didn't forget to drop the hitch properly, but as one who has made that mistake a couple of times, and twice with serious damage to the rear door of the Cruiser I'd suggest that was most likely.

Tractor aboard?
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel
2009 Coromal 452
2002 Commodore SS (The Toy)

Offline muzza01

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 3987
  • Thanked: 106 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Y62 S5 Nissan Patrol and Tanami 13 Hybrid
    • Photobucket Muz
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2014, 07:56:53 PM »
maybe the coupling on the trailer needed adjusting?
That would be my bet. Someone whom borrowed the trailer on another occasion has adjusted the hitch. Not loose enough to come off along flat roads but reversing up your driveway was the clincher.

Offline Mrs smith

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 331
  • Thanked: 2 times
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2014, 08:23:52 PM »
 

What did they say at bunno's when you told them what had happened ?


Offline dazzler

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 5103
  • Thanked: 40 times
  • Power Power Power
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2014, 08:53:32 PM »


What did they say at bunno's when you told them what had happened ?

"Trailer unhitchings are just the beginning...."
My alternative to cheap import trailers;

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36094.msg578367#msg578367


Offline Ynot

  • Hard Floor Camper User
  • *****
  • Posts: 888
  • Thanked: 1 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Tony. Prado 150 GXL, Coromal 632RTP
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2014, 08:56:40 PM »
I have had this on a steep driveway and I think as Mace said it is possible for the hitch to lever itself off the coupling. In my case I had a steep drive with an angled gutter to climb as well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?  (Homer J Simpson).

Offline oldmate

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 496
  • Thanked: 1311 times
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2014, 09:06:47 PM »
"Trailer unhitchings are just the beginning...."

Yep, we beat it by 10%
Our Blog. A work in progress
https://www.facebook.com/UltimateAdventuresBlog/

Offline BigJules

  • Administrator
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • *****
  • Posts: 7786
  • Thanked: 56 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Just Cruisin' - I wish...
    • I'm so much cooler online :D
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2014, 09:08:14 PM »
Julian
Land Cruiser V8 + Trackabout Safari SV Extenda
MySwag Gallery, Photobucket
Sydney Agent for www.trackabout.com.au
Mallee Gear - Tough as nails

Offline su888

  • Swag User
  • **
  • Posts: 76
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #12 on: June 29, 2014, 09:22:41 PM »
I have had this on a steep driveway and I think as Mace said it is possible for the hitch to lever itself off the coupling. In my case I had a steep drive with an angled gutter to climb as well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I'm pretty certain i had it installed propperly. However, who knows  i've been proven wrong.

I have the exact same situation, angles spoon drain then driveway 30 degrees then level area then tappers off to 15 degrees which makes is awkward when reversing.

How do you overcome this issue? What frightens me is if this happened if i had a big boat with heavy motor on the opposite end.
« Last Edit: June 29, 2014, 09:31:09 PM by su888 »

Offline Mace

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 3676
  • Thanked: 141 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Life's to short to drive a boring vehicle.
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #13 on: June 29, 2014, 10:36:38 PM »
Is your boat trailer single or duals? With the hires trailer, Do you think any wheel sets (particularly the rears) came off the deck when you reversed up. 

Could you imagine the trailer sitting on the front set only, with the rears clear of the deck, putting extra upward pressure on the hitch?

There are a few particular leverage combinations which could come into effect at any given time.

Yes, there is some adjustment available via the screw nut on top.

From another forum.

Adjusting 50mm Ball Coupling:The coupling should have been supplied correctly adjusted.
If however someone has been playing with it or it needs adjustment for some other reason it's a simple job.
1. Remove the ball from the tow bar.
2. Undo lock nut on coupling adjusting stud.
3. Place ball in coupling.
4. Whilst jiggling the ball slowly and gently tighten the adjusting stud with a large screw driver until you feel all slack disappear from the ball.
5. Back off adjusting stud 1/2 a turn.
6. While holding the stud in position with the screw driver, tighten the lock

No responsibility taken in my behalf, but this seems about right IMO.

 :cheers:
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel
2009 Coromal 452
2002 Commodore SS (The Toy)

Offline Draggin

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 344
  • Thanked: 3 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #14 on: June 30, 2014, 05:45:25 AM »
I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't a combination of factors that caused the unhitching. The coupling probably did need adjusting, your load plus the steep slope contributed to it but most importantly as you stated in your post - YOU DID NOT USE THE SAFETY PIN to prevent the  trailer hitch from unlocking itself.

That simple precaution alone will prevent the uncoupling even if the other factors all come into play. So to answer  the question in your post - YES, use the safety pin at all times  ;D

I speak from experience - one lazy "she'll be right " moment from me and the bow of my boat went through my 'cruiser back window.......................Yeah, yeah, I know - flat ground - just move the boat 5 metres - WHAT WAS THAT NOISE !!!!!!!!!!!!   ???
"Beneath the radiant Southern Cross"

Offline Elky

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 205
  • Thanked: 6 times
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #15 on: June 30, 2014, 08:12:46 AM »
the young bloke at my local tyre shop drove all the way to gympie and back with the ball not properly attached, the weight of the tyres kept some weight on it but it eventually fell off 300m from the shop! i always double check my hitchings after hearing that!

30degrees is pushing the limits of a 50mm ball setup tho
2010 TTD Landcruiser, i have added stuff but can't remember what! Slowly gettin quicker at setting up the brumby but breaking camp is another matter....

Offline Pirate_Pete

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 329
  • Gender: Male
Re: Trailer accidently unhitched when reversing
« Reply #16 on: June 30, 2014, 05:42:28 PM »
I have had my boat trailer do the same thing when I forgot to put the safety clip in. The pressure of backing up pushs the handle back up & the slightest side way turn pops the coupling off