Couperman Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 I bought a second hand trailer with a tipping mechanism a couple of months ago with a view to using it for shipping in horse muck for the allotment from a mates stables. Anyway on Saturday we picked up the first load with no problems and set off to pick up a second when at about 60 mph the trailer decided to deploy it's tipping facility After a brief 'brown trousers' moment among sparks and swerving vehicles and screaming Cathies, I managed to pull over and re-secure the catch. And off we went again at a more nervous pace. A mile or so later CRUMP it goes again. So I pulled over again and decided that the catch had a MAJOR design flaw so I lashed it down with rope. We got loaded up and got back home without further incident although it was a very nerve racking trip as I didn't want to face the prospect of dumping a full load of horse muck all over the show and causing an accident. I had a look at the catch today with a view to redesigning it as a non-tippa-longa version. It had been fitted UPSIDE DOWN! Having looked at the assembly instructions only a baffoon could have read them wrong. I took it off and fitted it the right way up and hey presto it is safe again. The thing that has really annoyed me is the trailer was in really good condition when I bought it and clearly hadn't been far. It seems to me now that the most probable reason for it being for sale was it's tendency to try and cause traffic accidents. What a nice guy knowingly selling a dangerous trailer! and it was only dangerous because he put it together wrong, the muppet! Sorry for the long post, and to the couple in the Audi who where overtaking me on the A174 when it happened. I guess the moral of the story is 'Buyer beware, the nice smiling couple might actually be prepared to put peoples lives at risk for the sake of a £100' Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Never a dull moment. Glad you managed to sort it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanbb Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Wonder what the folks in the Audi thought. Glad you managed to sort it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 That's when you really need YouTube .....but what a bargain you've got because of that idiot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Lucky escape But a load of manure in the middle of a main road would have been a sight for sore eyes I know how long it takes to shovel that stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Blimey Kev, that sounds a bit nerve-wracking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 That gives the phrase 'Buyer Beware' a whole new meaning! Now you have rectified the problem you have got yourself a liitle bargain though, Thank goodness you weren't setting off on a long journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Thats terrible, I guess I'm just naive about people, but really, why would you sell something you knew was that dangerous, without even warning the buyer? At least there wasn't an accident... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I keep phrasing the title wrong in my head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I keep phrasing the title wrong in my head Glad its not just me then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 ROFL I KNOW it's not funny but Kev did a great comedy job of describing it. The screaming cathies had me laughing out loud - mind you perhaps it was just hysteria as I've just had a difficult year 8 class! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 oi i'll have you know I rather calm and collected in the back of the car (only with my head between my knees ) It was actually rather scary - I thought the trailer had flipped over with the noise Kev was the hero - sorted it out in a flash cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 only just seen this, oh I wish I was the audi driver 1. because hey I would be richer than I am now 2. that would have been a sight to see! I would've screamed in the car too I think... kinda a high piched trying to catch my breath girlie scream.. what a numpty that previous owner was..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 ROFL I KNOW it's not funny but Kev did a great comedy job of describing it. Ditto That is one way of getting fid of poop, flinging it around Just glad "Ooops, word censored!"ody was hurt and that you managed to fix the trailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Bit of a scarey episode . Glad it's all fixed now and usable safely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 I do make light of serious events if I survive them, and to be honest we took the trailer failures in our stride....ish. It was afterwards I started to think about what could have happened. The trailer was acting a bit like a parachute and was whipping about, causing the car to snake. It could have easily have parted company with the towbar and God knows what might have happened. I didn't realise these things came as an 'MFI' style flatpack that someone could get wrong, I guess all is well that ends well! I am just glad that it happened when it wasn't fully loaded with horseydoddles. Cathy didn't scream as much once I let her get out of the trailer. On another trailer related note, reversing with a small trailer,... that's a laugh isn't it? Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 now reversing, I haven't ever tried it, but dont you have to turn the steering wheel the opposite way to the way you want to turn or have I dreampt that?? dad was a BIG lorry driver for years and I am sure the same principle applies.... I loved it in the lorry with him reminds me of the time when stationary in traffic jam dad lost his concentration for a mo and 'rolled' into the back of a camper van....... I saw it coming but couldn't speak.... the camper driver man tried to jump out his van but forgot to undo his seat belt and flew back in, that was hillarious. no-one hurt, only tapped them by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 I once worked in a garden centre (a really small basic one not open to the public - luckily ). I had to drive & reverse a tractor with a flat bed trailer on it round some veg beds. Let's just say it took a few attempts to get things going in the right direction . Well, I was 17 and hadn't even driven a car since passing my test, let alone a tractor . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 You sure it's not a muck spreader? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
