Joined the "Dropped it Club" today - Page 4 - Montana Owners Club

bsmeaton · 10-26-2008, 03:16 PM

Everytime somebody reopens this thread I think there is another dropped Monty

EagleRunner · 10-26-2008, 08:49 PM

I have heard of two separate experiences where trailers were dropped while pulling out of a rest area. Obviously, the trailer was secure when the driver pulled in to use the facilities so you would assume all would be ok when you are ready to pull out, right? Some sick individual, while the trailer was parked at a rest stop and the driver was using the facilities, pulled the release lever and walked away. The result was not pretty when the unsuspecting driver started to drive away. How many of you have checked their hitch to make sure nothing has changed after s short rest stop? I normally go around the trailer checking the tires but seldom checked the hitch. Since hearing these stories I have since used a lock on my release lever latch. It serves two purposes, it gives me a second chance to verify the pin is locked into the hitch, and it gives me peace of mind knowing I am not going to be a victim of a sick joke. I have a Reese 16k hitch. Are all hitches equipped with a locking lever that can be locked? If so, it is cheap insurance. Has anyone else heard of such pranks at rest areas.

Delaine and Lindy · 10-27-2008, 03:09 AM

I have heard this before but have never known someone who experienced this problem. I do always check to make sure some one hasn't tampered with the hitch. No not all hitches has the ability to be locked. The Trailer Saver we had didn't have a way of locking the lever. Our B&W does have a way to secure the lever, but I haven't put a lock on it yet. It really is a good idea to check to make sure its secure. GBY....

ols1932 · 10-27-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Delaine and Lindy

I have heard this before but have never known someone who experienced this problem. I do always check to make sure some one hasn't tampered with the hitch. No not all hitches has the ability to be locked. The Trailer Saver we had didn't have a way of locking the lever. Our B&W does have a way to secure the lever, but I haven't put a lock on it yet. It really is a good idea to check to make sure its secure. GBY....

I'm surprised to hear you say your TrailerSaver hitch didn't have a way of locking the lever. I have one of the early manufactured one and it has a place for a padlock and every one I've seen has a place to padlock. I'd like other TrailerSaver hitch owners to chime in as to whether or not their hitches have a place to padlock.

Is it possible that you may have overlooked the place to padlock? It is not easy to see. On mine, it is on the curb side of the front of the hitch near where the lever hinges.

Orv

richfaa · 10-27-2008, 04:28 AM

That Rest area story is a popular "Urban legend" Many people have heard it but we have yet to meet one person who has seen it first hand. Our draw tite 16k is locked. It is for our own safety and verification that the hitch is latched . If the story caused you to use a lock then good came of it.

bsmeaton · 10-27-2008, 04:37 AM

The Rest Area may be an urban legend, but a prankster pulled the pin out our neighbors towbar on their jeep being towed by a MH while fueling at a gas station. He pulled away and the jeep rolled forward and hit the fuel pump. The hitch pin and clip were laying on the ground by where it was originally parked.

I suppose if there are folks out there willing to sabatoge at a gas station, there certainly are folks willing to do it at a rest stop and there is more to the legend than you might think.

Lock it all, and check it anyway, each time you resume travel after leaving it unattended.

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