Hey, Buddy... Got a BIG hammer???
 

I thought it was a lot lizard tapping on my sleeper... It wasn't. It was another driver and he was asking for a big hammer. Well, I've got a 3 pound. No. I need something bigger than that. Know anyone that might have an 8 pound?

What kind of pin has to have that big a hammer to drive back?

What I found out was that when he hooked up to his trailer, he didn't feel like cranking the landing gear up all the way. Then, when he was crossing a railroad track, he came to a sudden stop.

Where the smaller square tube extends from the upper portion of the landing gear, it was bent backward about 10 degrees. He had not felt like cranking the landing gear up all the way... Only about 4 inches or so, and when he hit the tracks... He was going to try to hammer it straight so that he could crank it up.

Well, it had also "BUCKLED" just below the edge of the upper tube. Even if he had managed to straighten it out, that raised part would not have gone back inside the upper portion.

Always... ALWAYS... ALWAYS... Crank the landing gear all the way up when you are moving a trailer. The damage he had isn't the only thing that can happen. I've also seen the cross-beams under the trailer get flattened out and had to be replaced. I've seen welds break and the whole landing gear assembly come loose from under the trailer. I've moved a trailer that had the welds completely broken loose on one side. If the other side would have had any broken welds, I would not have moved it at all. Only went about a mile to a shop to get it welded back.

You won't get stuck on any set of tracks very often and keep on driving. It's a very serious violation, and you are limited to the number of times you can get caught getting hung up on them. I believe that one more time in the next three years, for him, and he won't be driving anymore. No, I didn't see him get caught at it, but when I left the lot, a crew was jacking up the switch engine to put it back on the track. They stopped me and checked my truck for any damage where I might have moved the rails apart. And, that was the only way out from that lot. I really don't think he got away with it.

I have seen guys pass me with the landing gear about 5-6 inches off the ground alot of times. I always wonder how many tear them off.

I have as well. About a half minute more and the landing gear is secure. And the lose handle flapping. That is always reassuring. :hellno:

Only time I ever not lift the landing gear all the way up is if I am just moving the trailer within a lot or yard ;) Though I am guilty from time to time of flapping handles... This temp trailer I am on doesn't have a handle holder, so it must flap.

JUST SAY NO to flapping !!! I use a trap strap to hang it up. :thumbsup:

Whats a "trap strap"?

Oh, I think you meant a "tarp strap".:rofl:

Yes.. I did :o or was it a bar strap?

But sometimes I like to let it flap! Feels so free and liberating!

Do your "ears" hang low? ;)

:lol::lol::lol: :lol2::lol2::lol2: