Horse trailer falls apart in wreck on highway

[OverandOnward]

@endlessclimb

I’m going to guess based on the nicks you can see on the ball and the nicks you can see on the coupler, that this trailer was riding VERY nose high, and that contributed substantially to it disconnecting. Not enough tongue weight, and way-off angle of ball and coupler.

Actually this would explain a great deal.

With the coupler still closed, it’s hard to imagine that the hitch popped off, but I suppose it is possible with an angle and stress of that kind.

Has it been confirmed that the ball did not shear off? Having a ball shear off is an uncommon accident. I rarely hear of that happening any more, I think materials have probably improved over the years. But it is something to determine.

[endlessclimb]

The driver has pictures of their hitch and receiver, all intact. Coupler is still intact and closed. Cables broke mid-way, not at either end - my guess is they broke after the trailer flipped once or twice, twisting them and weakening them.

[OverandOnward]

Towing a fully-loaded two-horse without trailer brakes is something I would not do.

Theoretically “it will be fine” without trailer brakes if one drives carefully enough. But it is much less safe, meaning it is opening a door to a lot of unfortunate events. Personally I don’t see the point of unnecessarily increasing risk.

I am estimating that the trailer + load would be between 5,000 and 7,000 lbs if they don’t have too much extra stuff, in addition to the horses. (It is amazing how fast the weight goes up when packing in more stuff! And feed and hay.)

[endlessclimb]

Sans-brakes - that weight, shoving against the truck on an uphill angle due to being nose high, could have also added to the perfect storm of popping the coupler off the ball.

A nasty expansion joint or construction bump could have popped it off, as well.

Don’t haul your trailer nose-high, folks!!

[joiedevie99]

@endlessclimb

The driver has pictures of their hitch and receiver, all intact. Coupler is still intact and closed. Cables broke mid-way, not at either end - my guess is they broke after the trailer flipped once or twice, twisting them and weakening them.

Yes - no catastrophic failure of any piece of the assembly as far as I can see. Also no indication that she had weight distribution installed. Riding nose high and without breaks seems like a possible answer.

FWIW, I’ve pulled 2 horse bumper pulls for 15 years, with a variety of tow vehicles. Only one set-up required a level hitch (Dodge Durango + Brenderup Baron). Others range from an 8" drop to a 2" rise.

[Demerara_Stables]

@trubandloki

Does California not require a yearly safety inspection?

Nope

[trubandloki]

@Demerara_Stables

@trubandloki

Does California not require a yearly safety inspection?

Nope

So weird, you have signs on every thing in the world saying it might cause cancer and all kinds of other very weird regulations, but no safety inspections and no rabies vaccines and no coggins requirement.

[Demerara_Stables]

@trubandloki

So weird, you have signs on every thing in the world saying it might cause cancer and all kinds of other very weird regulations, but no safety inspections and no rabies vaccines and no coggins requirement.

right? This state is truly bizarre.

[moonlitoaksranch]

Yeah, I always assumed those little warning signs on green things meant that it only causes cancer if you live in California.

Actually, it is somewhat effective. If there is a fencing product that isn’t green, I grab that instead. See, I used to live in California so I might actually be vulnerable.

[Djones]

@endlessclimb

Sans-brakes - that weight, shoving against the truck on an uphill angle due to being nose high, could have also added to the perfect storm of popping the coupler off the ball.

A nasty expansion joint or construction bump could have popped it off, as

Yep. I think you nailed it. It might have looked sorta level until they loaded the horses and then the weight shifted. The driver said they hit a bump and boing, there went the trailer.

[endlessclimb]

I bet it was super nose high to start and they figured the weight of the horses would be enough to settle it down.

The answer to that is NO.

[Djones]

They rented it from a “local ranch”

[Djones]

Someone noticed the coupler is deformed from use:

[ThreeWishes]

Absolutely agree. When hauling a bumper pull especially ones that are fully loaded and have length from say a tack room (not sure if this one did) Travelling over uneven bumpy type dips and humps can cause a rippling from the truck back to trailer with the hitch acting almost like a fulcrum. Scary stuff.

[Simkie]

@Djones

Someone noticed the coupler is deformed from use:

I’m not sure if that is deformed. It doesn’t align even when brand new. Here’s a pic off the Bulldog page. Rub some paint off and light it differently, and I think it’s damned close if not the same.

And the link: https://www.bulldogproducts.net/product/028463_a-frame-trailer-coupler

[CanteringCarrot]

Yeah, I don’t think it’s deformed/altered.

[Scribbler]

@endlessclimb

Last thing - truck driver says the truck had the tow package. The tow package for this truck does not appear to include a brake controller, from the specs I could look up.

If they did not have one installed aftermarket (they did not haul regularly, and that’s a pretty substantial expense…), this trailer did not have brakes.

I don’t know about this truck in particular. But when I bought my second truck, a used F250, I shopped for a tow package and then still had to get the brake controller installed, probably $300. It had a pin but no electric running through. At least I knew no one had been hauling with it before I bought it!

If you were a total newb you might not spot this.

I always check that the trailer running lights go on with my headlights every time I pull out to make sure the plug is in the pin right.

I could totally see someone plugging into the pin but not realizing the pin was nonfunctional.

This gives me one thousand more reasons to not lend my trailer or rig out to anyone other than my really experienced couple of trainer friends

Also not letting anyone borrow it with a random truck.

On the other hand lots of people have substantial experience with towing RVs or boats and most of the mechanical details are the same (but you need to drive with much more care with horses).

[endlessclimb]

I do the same thing for my lights, but note you should check all lights every time (i admit i dont, i am lazy) as each wire runs something different and just one or two could have a poor connection.

I hit headlights and trailer brakes, then pull out. I check all lights 2-3 times a year.

[joiedevie99]

@endlessclimb

I do the same thing for my lights, but note you should check all lights every time (i admit i dont, i am lazy) as each wire runs something different and just one or two could have a poor connection.

And you should carry electrical contact cleaner spray. Sometimes just a tiny bit of rust or build up in there can prevent it from seating well, and the spray will get you fixed up and on your way without delay.

[Simkie]

@endlessclimb

I do the same thing for my lights, but note you should check all lights every time (i admit i dont, i am lazy) as each wire runs something different and just one or two could have a poor connection.

I was taught to turn on the hazards–everything flashes and it’s easy to see if something isn’t lighting up! A lot quicker than checking each individually.