Can't believe how lucky I got today..

Yeah, that's pretty harsh. I doubt it was the guy next to you, just for idling, more than likely, someone you pull for screwed someone maybe, I've ALWAYS, in the , oh man, thousands of trailers I hooked onto, or pulled, was roll a little, and pull the "johnny bar", not so much for if someone pulled the handle, but more for peace of mind, it's still hooked.

 

The other good reason to do a tug test is the make sure the trailer brakes are functioning! Lot nicer to find out in the parking lot than at the first stop sign. After doing it lots you can develop a feel for how well the brakes are adjusted too. Before auto slacks it was almost mandatory imo especially if you pulled raggedy old trailers lol

 

Whenever I'm away from my truck for even a few minutes, I always visually check my fifth wheel, and if I have a trailer with a manual tandem pin I check that as well. Too many dbags out here anymore.

 

When I pulled open deck and heavy haul my philosophy was always, I would rather have extra securement than not enough. Those chains or straps aren't doing any good in the chain box.

 

Just make it a habit to pull down on the trailer brake/lever when you start to ease away.
I'm sure you know this, but it's getting cold and if you sleep with your trailer brakes set all night long you just may be out there with a hammer pinging the drums to free the pads loose the next morning if there was any moisture and it froze.
That's no fun when it's 4° and the wind is howling hard enough to make a flag look like it's starched.

 

I wouldn't call that catching it.

 

I’ll check the rant section for complaints about some flatbedder idling all night.