Trailer Detachment Accident Sends 2 To The Hospital

Very odd that the landing gear didn't fold up. It doesn't even seem possible.

 

I wonder how far he drove before it disconnected. My first thought is that the kingpin wasn't locked. In that case it would be driver failure not equipment failure

 

Bet it was a Holland 5th wheel.such junk.

 

To be out on the highway I'd imagine it would have to be hooked. One time I noticed on a visual inspection the lockjaw was most of the way across but a couple inches shy. I obviously disconnected and rehooked, but who knows what would have happened if I drove off with that. It passed the tug test. Sure made me a believer in look every time.

 

What is wrong with a holland, and more importantly, what do you consider better.
There may have been some fontaines recalled, but there is literally thousands of them doing their job every day.
Trailers can ride some long distances on a fifth wheel that is not fully locked, especially if it is fairly dry. I always get moving and grab the trailer brake to give it a hard test, I would much rather it come off in the yard.

 

Doesn't the DOT see an equipment failure as a driver failure for failing to catch it during pretrip, though?