I’ve told my wife and daughter to never follow a mortar mixer down the interstate.
For over 30 years we have sold, rented, and repaired mixers of all types. We’ve seen everything, from a pintle loop just set on a ball to a pintle loop secured to the ball hole on the bumper with a coat hanger!
Now many years later we have repaired mixers that came off the hitch, rolled over, and have fallen off of flatbeds and trailers (one of which killed the driver of a car following behind the truck). But I have never witnessed such a disaster first hand.
Today my younger brother who lives in Huntsville Alabama texted the following pictures of a friend who was approaching a truck towing a mixer when the mixer came off the hitch. It had no safety chains attached and the 2″ ball hitch was broken.
This happened on the street they both live on at low speed. Both driver and passenger are ok but the driver towing the mixer fled the scene.
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Use a hitch lockA hitch lock prevents theft and ensures the trailer remains securely attached.
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Attach safety chainsCross the chains under the tongue of the trailer to prevent the trailer from dragging if the hitch separates.
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Check trailer lightsBefore every trip, make sure the trailer’s brake lights, reverse lights, and turn signals are working properly.
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Check your brakesMake sure the towing vehicle and trailer brake together at the same moment to prevent slipping, skidding, or jackknifing.
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Lower the trailerLower the trailer jack and see if the hitch ball moves. If it does, the hitch is not secure.
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Lock the couplerA coupler lock makes it nearly impossible for a thief to hook up the trailer to their vehicle.
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Pack your trailer properlyLoad at least 60% of the trailer’s weight near the part closest to the hitch.
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Adjust mirrorsAdjust the mirrors so the driver can see everything around the trailer.
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Inflate the tiresInflate the tires to the correct pressure, as specified in the owner’s manual