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Jim22208

wrote:
On May 11, 12:07 am, wrote:
My sailing fiasco was yesterday. Today for mothers day, my very large
family decided to get together at a lake at a national forest rec area
where 40 yrs or so ago, my family would camp for a monyth during the
summer cuz nobody had air conditioning so camping at the lake was
nicer during a blistering humid N. FL summer. The place held many
fond memories for my mom.
So, I took my small trailer with my daughters kayak and ancient 18'
Grumman canoe along.
Being sorta melanin challenged, my large family certainly stood out
amongst the darker people who have made this their swimming place but
all was friendly, or so I thought.
Afterwards, I drove back to my parents about 20 miles and then started
for home. I turned a corner and suddenly the trailer started
fishtailing wildly and I barely got off the road under control.
Looking at the trailer hitch, the trailer was held on by only the
safety chains. The hitch had slid out of its receiver because
somebody had either removed the heavy steel pin or more likely the
clip that holds the pin while we had been at the lake. The pin had
held long enough to get to my parents house but had slid out when I
rounded corner. I know I had put the pin an clip on this morn because
I had to find said pin in the back of my truck first.
Was somebody sending a message that us pink people are not welcome
there? I hope not cuz I have never in my life worried about such
around here. Dang, I hate thinking like that.

I dunno' if you were being sent a message, could be... Either way,
it's time to start a new practice like we do here.. Every time, and I
do mean every time, rain or shine, snow, tired, hurried etc. I start
the truck, The Mouse and I do a "walk around". We are not sperstitious
but it must be done the same way *every time* we are hauling a
trailer.. I start by sitting in the drivers seat and turning the key.
Then, and only after touching the seat I leave the truck and check the
tires and drivers side, move to the back of the truck and check the
hitch, chains, locks, spare tire, etc.. Moving around the back of the
trailer I look at the tires, doors, lights and come around to the
passenger side where I check all again. Finally I come around the
front of the truck and look of obstructions in front of the wheels,
leaking fluids, etc. get back in and drive away. The Mouse (my
youngest) does the same in the opposite direction. When I say every
time, I mean it. We do a walk around in the driveway and go down to
the bottom of the hill for gas, and do another walk around three
minutes later before leaving the station. If God forbid anything ever
happens to a trailer of mine, I will know I did everything I could..

You are so fortunate to own a trailer and a truck strong enough to pull
it. ;-) ;-)