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What happened?
During heavy vehicle transit, a tri axle tag trailer carrying a padfoot road roller detached from a truck while travelling on a highway.
The detached trailer travelled into the opposite traffic lane, striking the guard rail on the opposite side of the road before coming to a stop in the middle of the highway.
The trailer travelled 153 metres (502 feet) from the point of detachment.
No traffic was travelling in the opposite lane at the time.
Load restraints on the trailer were maintained and the roller remained secured on the trailer in an upright position.
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Why did it happen?
The main nut came away from the main pin of the flying saucer hitch component causing the trailer to detach from the truck.
The trailer load relies on the main nut to maintain its position and once it came away, the trailer frame fell and detached from the truck.
Significant wear was discovered on the main hitch nut thread, and the main pin had shards of thread still attached (flying saucer style hitch).
Inspection of the main nut and clamping bolt were not included in regular mechanical maintenance of the trailer.
The trailer manual does not reference maintenance / inspection requirements for the main nut component of the flying saucer hitch.
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What did they learn?
The trailer was hitched correctly to the truck. The components used to connect / disconnect the trailer are completely separate to the main nut and pin.
Inspections of the truck and trailer are undertaken daily by the operator prior to use. Due to its location, it would not be possible for the operator to properly check the condition of the main nut - this could only be done through a qualified mechanical inspection.
Verify that an effective trailer hitch inspection and maintenance regime is in place for trailers with this type of hitch.
Adopt a requirement for two safety chain attachments to be installed on applicable trailers, in accordance with regional vehicle standards.
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Ask yourself or your crew
What checks do you conduct prior to starting a journey? Do they include trailers? Do you check your trailer attachment points for wear and tear?
What process do you follow if damage or wear to your trailer attachment points is identified?
Does your maintenance/inspection regime for trailers consider different hitch assembly types and potential failure mechanisms?
Do you know how to confirm truck and trailer connection is completely engaged for every style of hitch assembly that you use?
Do you regularly review your fleet to check that all your trailer hitch combinations are fit for purpose?
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What happened?
During heavy vehicle transit, a tri axle tag trailer carrying a padfoot road roller detached from a truck while travelling on a highway.
The detached trailer travelled into the opposite traffic lane, striking the guard rail on the opposite side of the road before coming to a stop in the middle of the highway.
The trailer travelled 153 metres (502 feet) from the point of detachment.
No traffic was travelling in the opposite lane at the time.
Load restraints on the trailer were maintained and the roller remained secured on the trailer in an upright position.
Why did it happen?
The main nut came away from the main pin of the flying saucer hitch component causing the trailer to detach from the truck.
The trailer load relies on the main nut to maintain its position and once it came away, the trailer frame fell and detached from the truck.
Significant wear was discovered on the main hitch nut thread, and the main pin had shards of thread still attached (flying saucer style hitch).
Inspection of the main nut and clamping bolt were not included in regular mechanical maintenance of the trailer.
The trailer manual does not reference maintenance / inspection requirements for the main nut component of the flying saucer hitch.
What did they learn?
The trailer was hitched correctly to the truck. The components used to connect / disconnect the trailer are completely separate to the main nut and pin.
Inspections of the truck and trailer are undertaken daily by the operator prior to use. Due to its location, it would not be possible for the operator to properly check the condition of the main nut - this could only be done through a qualified mechanical inspection.
Verify that an effective trailer hitch inspection and maintenance regime is in place for trailers with this type of hitch.
Adopt a requirement for two safety chain attachments to be installed on applicable trailers, in accordance with regional vehicle standards.
Ask yourself or your crew
What checks do you conduct prior to starting a journey? Do they include trailers? Do you check your trailer attachment points for wear and tear?
What process do you follow if damage or wear to your trailer attachment points is identified?
Does your maintenance/inspection regime for trailers consider different hitch assembly types and potential failure mechanisms?
Do you know how to confirm truck and trailer connection is completely engaged for every style of hitch assembly that you use?
Do you regularly review your fleet to check that all your trailer hitch combinations are fit for purpose?
During heavy vehicle transit, a tri axle tag trailer carrying a padfoot road roller detached from a truck on a highway, travelling 153 metres (502 feet) into the opposite lane and striking a guard rail before stopping. The incident was caused by significant wear on the main hitch nut thread, which led to the trailer detaching from the truck.
Original material courtesy of Safer Together (Australia)
To access the PDF and PowerPoint versions, please visit https://www.safertogether.com.au/resources/sharing-library/driving-collision-leb-toolbox
