Borrowed trailer - failed winch strap - guess the rest?

[ChrisLD364]

I'll start by saying that the Stag is fine without a scratch. Can't say the same for my wife or the garage door.

Our non runner (now definitely for sale) needed to be moved off site for a week so I borrowed a trailer from a local garage. I'd got the Stag nearly on with just inches to go and the winch strap gave. The wife had been turning the wheel and had the drivers door open. The door and trailer light cluster and not forgiving and she was between them. Fortunately she was thrown out of the way but very badly cut and bruised. The Stag rolled 20m back. It's got a tow bar and that took the force on hitting a brick wall but the corner took out a metal garage door.

Not sure how I could have prevented that. I'd even had a "winch blanket" on so it didn't get me and no one was behind it. I guess the strap wasn't in good condition.

So the lesson - be very wary of the condition of borrowed trailers and especially the winch which will only ever be serviced after it's failed.

Sympathy appreciated.

Chris.

[StagnJag]

Ouch! I hope your wife isn't too badly hurt. That must have been quite a shock.

Best Wishes

Dave

[Staggard]

I am sorry to hear of your misfortune Chris I hope your wife is not too badly hurt. winches can be dangerous things I saw a diver lost his eye when a wire hawser snapped winching a boat on a trailer. Graham

[ChrisLD364]

Thanks for that guys.

She can't walk at the moment but I'm sure she'll mend. Just about to take a hammer to the garage door - panel beating practice!

Chris

[kgnich]

That's not nice, hope your wife recovers and hope it does not put her off helping in future?!
As you say it is hard to know what else you could do.... With hindsight I suppose a safety strap could have helped but not many of us would have thought of doing that. There is a philosophy that says all "accidents" are preventable, easy said but hard to achieve. Best of luck. Graham

[DJT]

Nasty accident Chris. Hope your wife recovers soon.

As for the cause of the accident. The trailer, and winch strap, would be subject to PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations). As such it should have inspection records proving that it was fit for purpose. But if it is a small local garage it probably doesn't. Had there been any commercial arrangement you would have just cause to claim for damage to the Stag and injury to your wife. But if it was a favour then this makes it more difficult.

After a lifetime of involvement in lifting and rigging equipment, I am very cautious about using anything that doesn't look to be in good condition. Some of the gear in use onshore frightens the life out of me at times.

[edd]

Really sorry to hear of your accident. Any advice seems obvious now and hindsight is a wonderful thing. I think I will be extra careful when winching mine now. I have four journeys to go on a trailer so hearing this helps everyone take a little more care. I think I will ensure I choock ( spelling ) as I go with big bits of wood.
Hope your wife recovers soon.
Edd

[ChrisLD364]

Guys

Thanks. She's walking a bit now. Just glad the kids were at school - they could easily have got behind it.

I'll be very wary in the future. I'll have to move it back again in a week but I'll let them load it for me.

I could have taken them to the cleaners I suppose but I'm not like that. The garage people are very nice - but they should have known better and had it in better condition. I should have checked better myself and not assumed it was ok just because they use it all the time.

All hindsight now and down to experience.

My panel beating on the garage door isn't too bad and it's all gone back together with a fresh coat of paint. So I'll move on but I will be getting rid of the non runner. 1 Stag is enough.

Chris.