Trailer fell on tailgate

[jamieline]

Been doing this a while but got bit today. Took the trailer in to have state inspection completed. I was planning on dropping trailer off and then picking up later in the day. Started to unhook going though my routine. First step is to relieve tension and pull the release handle. Next went to lower landing gear. Only one was going down. found a sheared bolt on the shaft (not sure how it happened). Then the mechanic said he could get it done right away, Thought it over a minute and decided to have him do it. He said to pull up to the other building. Made sure everything was set, jumped in the truck and started off. Yep, did not close the pin latch. Trailer fell on tailgate. After some help got reattached and inspected. Mechanic help me get the tailgate off so I wouldn't have to deal with that at home.
Not too much damage to trailer, some molding, scratches. Need a new tailgate. Leaving next week for VA.

Going to use this in a safety meeting at work about changing directions in the middle of the process and not making sure everything is safe and latched.

[MarkDeb]

Wow. Tough break!! Thanks for sharing - hope all goes well taking care of truck and RV.
I've had the disturbing thought of that happening to me ever since we got ours.

[howson]

Going to use this in a safety meeting at work about changing directions in the middle of the process and not making sure everything is safe and latched.

I had a boss that liked to say incidents are caused because something was "dumb, different, or dangerous". In this case, the "different" is what got you. Glad no one was hurt.

[TucsonJim]

Been there, done that and have the merit badge. So sorry to hear it. But now you might consider getting one of those fancy tailgates with the vee notch in it. That's what I did a few years ago when it happened to me. And it was MUCH cheaper than a factory tailgate.

Jim

[cmillsbl]

"Started to unhook going through my routine. First step is to relieve tension and pull the release handle. Next went to lower landing gear."

Jamieline- not understanding why you pull the release handle as your first step in unhitching. I always lower the landing gear first to raise the trailer off the hitch. Then relieve the tension on the king pin and pull the release handle. Doing it in this order would have kept the trailer from dropping onto your tailgate.

[Crazybanshee]

Beats dropping it on the side bed rails. Now is your chance to buy that flow through 5th wheel tail gate

[FT4NOW]

"Started to unhook going through my routine. First step is to relieve tension and pull the release handle. Next went to lower landing gear."

Jamieline- not understanding why you pull the release handle as your first step in unhitching. I always lower the landing gear first to raise the trailer off the hitch. Then relieve the tension on the king pin and pull the release handle. Doing it in this order would have kept the trailer from dropping onto your tailgate.

I'm on the same page as cmillsbl, why would you pull the release with the weight still being on the hitch? Even if I wanted to, my hitch will not release unless I get all the weight off of it.

Everyone has their own method, but what I do:
- once trailer is in desired spot, place truck in neutral and let off brake for a moment (this centers king pin in hitch) place back in park
- chock wheels
- lower front landing gear until weight is off hitch
- unlock and pull release handle
- move truck


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[SteveTN]

I only dinged my OEM tailgate so I was able to fix it but with the new 5th wheel tailgate I don't have to put it down when I hitch/unhitch plus it's a whole lot cheaper if I tear it up. The OEM gate is now safely stored.

[warsw1]

I'm on the same page as cmillsbl, why would you pull the release with the weight still being on the hitch? Even if I wanted to, my hitch will not release unless I get all the weight off of it.

Everyone has their own method, but what I do:
- once trailer is in desired spot, place truck in neutral and let off brake for a moment (this centers king pin in hitch) place back in park
- chock wheels
- lower front landing gear until weight is off hitch
- unlock and pull release handle
- move truck


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

X-2......This is exactly how I do it. I really can't imagine someone releasing the hitch before supporting the trailer. Not a good practice IMHO

[TNFSolitude]

Carlson Stromberg has a lot of these on the road: https://www.strombergcarlson.com/pro...eel-tailgates/

The 4000 series is an excellent tailgate, lockable, and has a filler piece for the vee when not towing. Sold separately.