MARYSVILLE — For many people, the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend will be the first time this season to hitch up trailers, fifth-wheels and campers.
The rush of excitement to take recreational vehicles and boats on the road shouldn’t take the place of a thorough safety check, officials said.
“Sometimes our want to get out and camp and enjoy the outdoors often overshadows the safety aspect of making sure the equipment is properly secured and inspected,” Washington State Patrol trooper Keith Leary said.
Trailers, loaded with boats, campers or animals, can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. That makes its easy for drivers towing them to lose control, Leary said. Troopers also want to prevent accidents that can occur when a trailer hitch fails.
Three people died in an accident on Memorial Day weekend 2005.
The deaths were blamed on the driver of a speeding pickup towing a fifth-wheel trailer in the fast lane on I-5 in Marysville. The left-hand passing lane is off limits to vehicles towing trailers that weigh more than 10,000 pounds. Investigators determined the pickup driver lost control when freeway traffic suddenly slowed.
The pickup blasted through a cable barrier median, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle, killing a Marysville family, Darrell and Sandra Knapp, along with their young son.
Leary said some simple steps can prevent a tragedy:
Inflate tires to proper pressure and double-check for tire cracking or others signs of age and wear.
Don’t tow a load that the vehicle’s engine and transmission can’t handle.
Secure loads properly and make certain the load is distributed evenly.
Double-check that all signals and brake lights are in good working order.
Ensure that the trailer’s registration is valid.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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