Whilst driving downhill, some distance into the journey,and after roadwork sections,a DRA driver experienced significant side-to-side sway of the trailer being towed. When the vehicle stopped the trailer hitch was resting on the bumper and still connected by the safety chains.The sudden swaying event is typical of a sudden uncoupling of the trailer at the tow ball. This is usually a mechanical failure where the coupling lock may not have seated properly, or the adjustment nut loosened, and the hitch ‘rattled’ off the ball. This alert, therefore, presents the opportunity to highlight some of the essential checks for hitching trailers to a vehicle:
Download the Trailer Hitching Safety PDF