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Folornhope View Drop Down
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Joined: 22 Nov 2010
Location: Texas
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Posts: 51 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Run away Pod
    Posted: 17 Mar 2012 at 5:00pm
We were comming back from La. With Eddy when he decieded that he wanted to run away.

So about 300 miles after we pulled out of the RV park he comes off my hitch.  Safety chains did their job, electronic brakes did their job, and I did mine (got us onto the shoulder fast).  Checked the hitch, no problems noted, checked the coupler, padlock was still in place, still locked.  Locking lever is now loose and will rotate about 1/2" from side to side.

I don't know what caused him to come off the hitch...I suspect something with the coupler.

Anyone have something similar happen or know of a likely cause?
Eddy the Escape Pod...177
Ford F150
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2012 at 6:04pm
I have been fooled with couplers before where they were not really open and were sitting on top of the ball.  With my boat I can lift the hitch enough to see if it is locked.  With the POD I can't so I use the jack to make sure that I am lifting the truck up and not just the trailer.

Good job keeping things under control.  Must have been a hairy experience.
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
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Joined: 22 Nov 2010
Location: Texas
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Posts: 51 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2012 at 6:38pm
Yeah, have had that too, but I had checked before we pulled out of the campground.  It was seated properly...we had already gone over 300 miles before it came off...that included in and out of parking lots, stop and go traffic, up and down a few fairly steep/high hills and bridges.

If it was just sitting on top of the ball, it should have come off long before that.
Eddy the Escape Pod...177
Ford F150
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Joined: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Nampa, ID
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Posts: 96 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2012 at 7:09pm
Sounds like Eddy the Escape Pod was just trying to live up to his name! LOL
Glad to hear everything turned out alright, though!
2011 R-Pod 182G Hood River Edition
"Ribbitt" Pod (now sold)
2000 Ford F150 5.4L V8 TV
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Joined: 10 Jan 2011
Location: Regina Sask
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Posts: 137 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2012 at 12:16am
Just wondering if you lock your coupler when it's on your hitch ball? This summer I seen a few people who didn't. Also some who did not cross their chains eather. We lock our coupler and cross the chains all the time.
Ready to pod around!
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Joined: 22 Nov 2010
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Posts: 51 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2012 at 12:29am
Yep...always lock the coupler,and cross the chains.  
Eddy the Escape Pod...177
Ford F150
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2012 at 5:48am
YIKES!  That's scary.
 
I assume you are using a 2" ball (not too small).  There is a nut underneath the coupler that could have come (or been) too loose.  I don't know how to desribe it but, it holds a piece of metal that "grabs" the lower portion of the ball when the lever is pushed down.  If this nut is too tight, one can't get hitched up.  If it is too loose, there is a danger of the trailer coming loose.
 
Maybe this is loose or broken????? 
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Snowbound View Drop Down
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Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Location: Edmonton, AB
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Posts: 270 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2012 at 8:53am
Wow! So glad you are OK and thanks for the reminder to check our hitches carefully.
Tom and Bette
in our 177 "The Gastropod"
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Joined: 25 Nov 2010
Location: Floral Park, NY
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Posts: 109 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2012 at 11:21am
Always jack the pod up and watch to see if the rear end of your tow vehicle goes up too. It may look hooked up and may feel hooked up nut always check.  Yes, cross those chains, then double check everything.

If distracted during hooking up, start over.
"Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you are right"- Henry Ford

2011 RP-177
2009 Jeep Cherokee
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Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Mar 2012 at 1:05pm
Originally posted by Snowbound

Wow! So glad you are OK and thanks for the reminder to check our hitches carefully.


+1!  Great and timely safety topic.
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