Safety Chains Work

Well I wanted to share my blunder if it helps another member out and yes I have beat myself up enough about the sitatuion. Got in a hurry to get moving. Moral of that story no more hurrying.

Connected my trailer to the 2inch Ball not the 2 5/16

Lucklily nobody was hurt except my ego and feelings thank heavens. Came unhooked on a corner hit a bump on a country road chains held trailer was empty still 2k though. Went under my bumper and jack stand stopped in the spare tire only put a slight scratch one the rubber didn't see no frame damage on either truck or trailer thankfully just need a new bumper (700.00) plus paint. I'm just going to upgrade it early to an off-road steel type setup. Looks like I just need to replace the one sensor truck keeps warning me the rear sensors don't work I think if I get an Alfa OBDD I can turn off the message. But I will get a sensor just in case it came unplugged during incident. So if anyone is near HANOVER PA, that knows or has the capability to reset it let me know.

Your not the first guy to screw the pooch on a trailer hookup...

I've had two failures where the chains came to the rescue.... one was a REALLY old rusty utility trailer that the hitch basically fell apart and I don't feel responsible (other than using an old POS trailer that I never should have). The other my buddy and I were talking and generally distracted and screwed up (taking waverunners to the dock +/- a mile away so weren't at our best) and I readily admit fault.... even though I was just the co-pilot.

Yup, there's a reason they're there.

The difference between a wise man and a fool is the wise man learns from his mistakes. Sounds like you did. You're in good shape.

Was told, years ago, paint the one used less, a different color, or, always use EQ Hitch setups, even if you do not use the bars.
SO far, knock on wood....
nope, ain't even going to tempt the Hauling Gods.

Glad nothing horrible happened to you.

Reminds me of my first camper purchase. I went from Indy to eastern Kentucky to buy a 23' toy hauler. I asked the guy, "is this a 2 in ball? he goes, oh yeah. Ok, so I took his word at face value, and I didnt know any better. I had my 2" ball on my hitch and away I went. Except. It was a 2 5/16 ball. Yikes Lol.

That, and the dry rot tires I drove home on with my little 4.8 toyota sequoia, I am floored I didn't kill myself. Thankfully it was late at night, so it was unlikely to have hurt others.

gofishn said:

Was told, years ago, paint the one used less, a different color, or, always use EQ Hitch setups, even if you do not use the bars.
SO far, knock on wood....
nope, ain't even going to tempt the Hauling Gods.

Glad nothing horrible happened to you.

Click to expand...

This is what I did after

DerickE said:

Reminds me of my first camper purchase. I went from Indy to eastern Kentucky to buy a 23' toy hauler. I asked the guy, "is this a 2 in ball? he goes, oh yeah. Ok, so I took his word at face value, and I didnt know any better. I had my 2" ball on my hitch and away I went. Except. It was a 2 5/16 ball. Yikes Lol.

That, and the dry rot tires I drove home on with my little 4.8 toyota sequoia, I am floored I didn't kill myself. Thankfully it was late at night, so it was unlikely to have hurt others.

Click to expand...

been there.i have several boats and several years ago the one time i had the wrong ball the boat trailer ended up going through the wifes mini van rear window.luckily the chains held.i hated that mini van so no sadness.now i've swapped all my trailers to 2".

Loudram said:

The difference between a wise man and a fool is the wise man learns from his mistakes. Sounds like you did. You're in good shape.

Click to expand...

I can't remember whose quote this is but I love it - "Good decisions come from experience and experience comes from bad decisions."