[a/s] "Defensive Driving" Preparations

[Jerry Flanders <jflanders2@xxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for sharing the accident info, C&T.

I try to be a "defensive" driver, meaning that I try to be prepared to deal
with hazardous situations before they develop. From the description of what
happened to you guys, I realize that I could improve my readiness by
changing a few things when I tow:

(1) Uncoupling quickly. I would have been delayed in your situation because
I (until now) use a padlock to secure the ball socket release handle . It
was always easy to just lock that release handle to secure it because I
always use a padlock when the trailer is not in use, so I have the padlock
readily available when I hook up. I will change over to a less "permanent"
securement, and perhaps even evaluate a quicker disconnect method of just
releasing the chains, plugs, and spring bars, and then pulling the hitch
pin to release the ball mount assembly. I should then be able to just drive
away from it, letting the ball mount slide out of the receiver as I go.

(2) Fire extinguisher availability. I have a large one now in the rear of
the truck tow vehicle (and the standard one in the trailer), but usually it
would take a while to find it back there - it is not permanently mounted in
a fixed place. I think I will get another large one and then mount one on
each side of the truck bed in a place where I can get to at least one of
them quickly.

(3) Monitoring CB. I have the CB, but don't routinely turn it on unless I
want "entertainment". I could be leaving it on all the time, with the
squelch set to remove most of the far-away chatter and noise. Anyone
wanting to warn me of a problem with my rig would certainly be very close,
so a high squelch setting would not keep them out.

If anyone has any additional tips, I would appreciate hearing of them.

Jerry W4UK