I used to frequent the Tractor Transporting forum and used to harp a lot on this subject, that a load should always be tied down as though you expect the trailer/load to roll over repeatedly. Got tired of the replies, so haven't been back.
We were in an accident a few years ago. Part of the accident was my fault, but we went over 1,000 miles without a problem. Then, just a few days before Christmas on busy and unfamiliar Interstate at night, we were starting a long downhill run and a small red car cut me off. I stupidly slammed on the brakes, which put the trailer fishtailing. Also had wrong type of brake controller on vehicle, as was told it was what I needed. ("I" should have known better!!) Anyway, the trailer was a new PJ lo-pro deckover rated for 16k, but had a much lighter load as we had a 3/4-ton. Trailer was also bumper pull. The trailer ended up rolling over to the point where the trailer's hitch snapped off, staying connected to the ball on the truck. I had a solid steel hitch mount for the 2 5/16" ball, and the ball had the heaviest threaded shank I could find. I use screw-together replacement links to connect safety chains to truck, always using as large of these screw-links as will fit through the chain. In this instance, they held the now-detached trailer to the truck. If I have a choice, I always use a heavier chain than required, although this was a new trailer and the event happened just after Dad passed, so was pretty hectic then.
As for the load, it was still on the trailer and mere inches from where I had originally loaded it. My Pasquali tractor was totaled, though most other items on the load were surprisingly OK. Lots of "asphalt burn" on top. Not a chain nor rope was salvageable after that, though you wouldn't want to risk it as the chains and ropes had now been stressed to an unknown point and were therefore no longer "safe".
Everyone who saw the trailer said they couldn't believe how well it held together, and said we should not have lived through it. ....Why? Truck didn't roll, and the load stayed secure. The point that failed was actually the hitch of the trailer, but it did AMAZINGLY well!!
It seems most people just can't understand the necessity of properly securing the load as if to expect worst-case-scenario on every single trip. Look back through my posts -- this is the first I've mentioned our accident or about properly securing trailers/loads in probably well over a year.
I can understand how most people can go through life doing absolute minimal and get away with it, but my luck ain't that good. I was raised to hope for the best and plan for the worst. So far, it's been a necessary thing to do. So for the folks who say/think that the tractor is OK coming off that trailer in the article.....NO! That trailer should be in shreds before losing its load. I simply don't see enough carnage to justify that tractor not still being firmly attached where it was.
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Today's Featured Article - Seeing an Old Friend - by Joe Evans. Dad had a concrete contracting business starting in 1960. One of his first pieces of equipment was a Ferguson TO-35 with a Davis loader. Dad replaced the TO-35 with a MF 202 Workbull, essentially an industrialized Ferguson 35 I am told. Dad bought the 202 new in 1962, and I recall quite clearly going to the dealer with him to sign for it.
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