Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/319872
ProPickup These are just three examples picked from dozens during the past few years where companies have been sued – and lost – millions in towing related court cases. In every one of the above instances, the base cause of the accident – and the ensuing multi-million dollar lawsuits – hinged on one basic fact: The vehicles weren't setup correctly for the trailered loads they were towing. Towing properly equipped Towing accidents happen every day across the country. Some are minor fender-benders. Others are much more severe. Some, unfortunately, result in death. As a landscaper, or any busi- ness owner who has drivers towing trailers, nothing is more important from a liability and safety perspective than making sure every vehicle is "properly equipped." Failing to do so can (and does) result in consequences most business owners would rather avoid as the examples above, shared by the lawfirm of Walters, Balido & Crain, L.L.P. in Dallas, illustrate. All pickups and SUVs have towing limitations and restric- tions, and the vehicle manufac- turer sets those tow ratings at the time the vehicle is built. So, how can pulling a trailer with a load thousands of pounds lighter than your pickup truck's maximum towing capacity be a bad thing? 4 6 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m J U N E 2 014 Properly equipped means changing from a conventional hitch setup (top) to a weight-distributing hitch (bottom) when a trailered weight exceeds a set limit as stated in the vehicle's owners manual and/or the manufacturer's tow ratings guide.