On Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, patrol officers investigated a collision involving a commercial vehicle. A commercial truck towing a loaded trailer reportedly collided with pickup truck in the area of Whitemud Drive and 99 Street. During the collision, the ball mount portion of the truck’s hitch sheared off, causing the trailer to detach from the truck. Luckily, the safety chains continued to keep the truck and trailer together, preventing a much more serious collision. Following the investigation, officers determined the ball mount was only rated to tow 6,000 lbs, yet the combined weight of the trailer and the skid steer it was hauling was well over 12,000 lbs. The driver and the company were subsequently issued multiple violations, including failure to change lanes safely, active leaking hub, hit and run, operate an unsafe commercial vehicle, attachment not of sufficient strength and transport liquor in vehicle within reach of the driver.
Broken hitch
“While this situation involved a commercial vehicle, many drivers are unaware that their hitch is not sufficient for the load they are towing,” says Const. James Kendrick with the EPS Commercial Vehicle Inspection Unit. “This is not necessarily a hitch manufacturing or brand issue; it is a knowledge issue.”
“It’s paramount that drivers check that they have the correct ball, ball mount, receiver and hitch to adequately hold not only the weight of the trailer and its cargo but its tongue weight,” says Kendrick.
“Many drivers, commercial and otherwise, do not realize that their vehicle’s towing equipment may not be equal to the tow rating listed by the vehicle’s manufacturer, and the consequences can be dangerous.”
To make sure your equipment is sufficient, CVIU recommends confirming with the vehicle’s manufacturer during your purchase that the ball, ball mount, receiver and hitch are all rated to tow what is advertised. If you purchased the vehicle secondhand, be sure to check in with a licensed mechanic or auto repair shop to make sure your equipment is rated for what you are towing. If the equipment is not rated for what the vehicle can tow, changes to your equipment may be required.
In addition, CVIU is encouraging all drivers towing a load to conduct a walk around of their tow vehicle, trailer and cargo before departure to ensure their load is secure and their equipment is in proper working order. To assist, the EPS has created a quick instructional video and In addition, CVIU is encouraging all drivers towing a load to conduct a walk around of their tow vehicle, trailer and cargo before departure to ensure their load is secure and their equipment is in proper working order. To assist, the EPS has created a quick instructional video and walkaround safety checklist that drivers can refer to before heading out. that drivers can refer to before heading out.
CVIU conducts regular commercial vehicle inspection events several times a year, with the most recent held from May 23 to 25, 2023. During this event, CVIU, along with its municipal and provincial partners completed 289 inspections at three locations in and around Edmonton. Of these inspections, 97 vehicles passed with the remainder requiring remedial work of varying degrees. One hundred and eighteen vehicles were also placed out of service, including 18 being towed due to their dangerous condition. In total, 677 violations were found over the three-day operation.