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woman killed by trailer

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Cassillis:

--- Quote from: "Disco-Ron" ---The local rumour mill reckons that the safety cable was not attached to the vehicle >snip<

I understand he was arrested for causing death by dangerous driving, but i stress, that is not gospel.....
--- End quote ---


Suspicion there of is a very likely explanation for his arrest. It is common practise in such circumstances where a death has occurred.

My sympathy to all concerned

The driver is going to need a lot of support. Diso-Ron, if you know him can i suggest you call, just to re assure him that he has a friend. He must be feeling awful, poor guy.

Disco-Ron:
I was in the Local Fire Service with the driver, i spoke to someone who visited him since the accident, he has been over-run (no pun intended) with support from friends, and even people he doesn't really know, one person just round the corner from him that he'd never spoken to before, actually gave hima big tin of biscuits, cos he said he'd be having lots of visitors...... he was of course correct.....

I have also heard that he was turning out of a side road, he was driving in a straight line, however, there is a large pot-hole very near where the incident occured..... i wonder how the local highways people would feel if they got the blame!!??

welshlaner:
Very tragic accident, my deepest sampathy to all involved

having towed trailers for many years and been involved with trailers cause of my hobbies such as sailing, DIY etc its not the first time i've heard of a tragic death due to trailers becoming detached.

Many accidents are never reported, i've seen or gone out to give assiantance to people who "have lost" trailers.

heres a couple of events i've seen and the causes, firstly, make sure the 50mm and coupleing match, they is still about some old 2inch balls and more dangerous 2 inch coupling, a 2" will fit on a 50mm ball but be loose.

I once saw a bloke use a 2"coupling on a "non road" boat trailer, and watched a £3000 boat flipp off a ball and crash down a slippway, all for the saving of a £15 50mm coupling, plus could have killed any one in the way.

Another problem is the design of a certain coupleing were the bolts are enclosed in a tube on the coupling (bit like rear towbar coupling on landy box section) these bolts rust very quickly (sea water or rain) often within a few years. The bolts snap when under pressure, i've recently serviced a 6 year old trailer and noticed the coupling, took the bolts off (can show pics when camera working) bolts rusted to a very thin core.

Finally the springs which hold down the coupling are prone to rust, often a hole is provided to lock it down, use a lock (save someone nicking it). Some coupling designs are almost fail safe, but the cheaper ones, once a part fails the coupling can come off.

As for the balls, not heard of them fail but have seen whole balls with bolts ripp off mounting plates either not thick enough or not having thick plates behind, ie balls attached to thin front landy bumpers can get ripped off.

Highlander1:
Hi Welshlaner

A good wee bit of advice it got me checking my bolts. :idea:

I'm in the middle of building a new home made trailer for the old boat.

Iv'e decided to use stainless bolts with lock nuts.

I agree that the break away rope system is safest, big heavy chains can cause more damage when they cause the towing vehicle to be thrown on it's side across the motorway rather than coming to a halt under there own breaking once separated.

I do get anoyed with motorists who drive at the same speed and manner that they would do if driving without a trailer!!!!!!!!!!!! :evil:

Cheers

Highlander1:

--- Quote from: welshlaner ---Very tragic accident, my deepest sampathy to all involved




Another problem is the design of a certain coupleing were the bolts are enclosed in a tube on the coupling (bit like rear towbar coupling on landy box section) these bolts rust very quickly (sea water or rain) often within a few years. The bolts snap when under pressure, i've recently serviced a 6 year old trailer and noticed the coupling, took the bolts off (can show pics when camera working) bolts rusted to a very thin core.

Hi There just finished checking the hitch bolts.

If Welshlaner hadn't mentioned it I might not have done.

Could have been rather tradgic if I'd taken the trailer out.

The new one I'm buildings going to have stainless ones fitted.

Cheers H1
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