Two Killed By Trailer Breaking Loose

IA]

RIP

 

That's all well and good but the best thing TTR Forums can do is teach and offer stories that make us all think and ponder our own world we live in. To me there's possibly more to the story that needs to be considered by ALL drivers, new and old. The idea should be to strive that this never happen again.

• Could have been "vandalized" at a recent stop [always peek underneath to see handle has not been pulled]
• Could have been a known problem with the 5th wheel latching securely every time [don't operate a truck with such a problem until you feel confident it has been fixed or replaced]
• Could have been a brand new tractor with a defective or improperly lubricated and maintained 5th wheel
• Maybe he had an in-cab release? Can these even be activated while in motion?

I'd be curios to know how far he travelled from wherever he last stopped and exited the vehicle. A pulled latch or a "high-hook" scenario usually won't remain behind the tractor for very far from where this happens (like probably won't even make it out of the parking lot or the parking slot)

I've seen them act up in extreme cold temps and not want to fully wrap around but this type problem can be detected with a visual inspection of the handle position.

 

It always amazes me how some drivers will take short cuts to get to the destination as quick as possible i mean seriously how hard was it to get out check the clearance between 5th wheel and trailer drop the legs then back up and lock it in. Assuming this is what really happened perhaps there was some kind of structural fault and it let go, either way no -one likes to see innocent lives being taken and the huge impact that has on all parties involved.

 

I get weird looks for tug testing whenever I leave my parking spot, I get weird looks for checking my 5th wheel whenever I come back out to my truck.

RIP to the two that lost there lives.

 

My truck has one of those trailer brake handle on the dash. It has become a habit of mine since forever to hold that down when I first start moving from a long stop.

 

REALLY BAD taste, even for you.

 

I almost dropped a trailer once. Fully loaded too.

Heard "clink". Tugged. Good to go right?

Didn't look.

Went about 30 feet, and if you ever lose one, it's like God reached down and just grabbed you by the ###, and shook REAL hard.

Fortunately I was just idling out, and stopped with it on my drives.

Talk about a work out cranking that dude back up.

 

What a tragedy, So sad for all involved and their families.

 

Seeing a lot of these freak accidents in the news..in my hometown a log truck lost its trailer and it head a dump truck head on and killed the dump driver instantly..this was recently as well