Posted by David Sherman on Monday, May 02, 2005 at 0:34AM :
In Reply to: Re: Carefull posted by Willy-N on Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 10:59PM :
Not sure about the ideal way to rig them on a gooseneck, but ever since I backed down a steep hill with a trailer, and found out when I got to the bottom that I'd forgot to latch the pintle and the chain was all that was holding it, I make sure I never tow anything, no matter how small or funky, without a chain of some sort, even if it's just a binder chain jerry-rigged to it.
If you're careful and your equipment is good, the odds of the trailer coming loose are very slim, but if for whatever reason it does come loose, the odds of it doing major expensive damage to lots of stuff, including people, are really good. Picture it slipping off while you're driving through city traffic with mom and the kids in the SUV on your tail and cars and trucks on all sides, or picture it coming off when you're going up the Orondo-Waterville grade or coming down Stevens Pass. Any way you figure it, a loose trailer is big trouble. I'm sure there's a good way to rig the chains so it won't bind on the corners and won't go sliding all over the truck bed if the hitch comes loose.
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