This is why you always tug test with pictures.

This was likely caused by not properly engaging the kingpin to the fithwheel. This could of been avoided by a simple tug test.

How to preform a tug test.
After hooking up gently try to pull forward.If you can't then you're likely properly connected. Notice I said likely. Other things could of still gone wrong. Still look to see the fithwheel is flat against the bottom of the trailer and if possible visually check that the kingpin is engaged.

I have high centered the kingpin where everything feels connected but the fithwheel isn't flat. If I hadn't visually checked it I would of lost my trailer at some point while driving.

I have dropped a trailer. But just to my frame rails and luckily not to the ground. Everything looked and felt fine and the first tug test worked so I hooked up and started to roll forward when I did my double check and lightly applied the trailer break. Boom trailer right on my frame. All I had to do was crank the trailer back up and properly connect. The fithwheel jaws were closed so I think they closed as I was getting under the trailer so everything looked and felt fine. If I didn't do the leaving tug test the trailer would have been on the ground and I would be in the bosses office explaining how it happened.

Nobody is perfect. Accidents do happen. But it's the saftey steps that you do that keeps a close call from becoming a reportable incident


I also tug test anytime I'm away from the truck or after sleeping. Some jokers think it's funny to unlock your fithwheel. As I pull forward I lightly use the trailer break to just make sure everything is ok.


Update