A movie trailer is a preview for an upcoming feature film scheduled for future release. The term "trailer" was originally used because they were often shown at the end of the featured film. That practice did not last long, however, because patrons tended to leave the theater after the films ended, but the name has stuck. Trailers are now shown beforehand, but if you are the driver, "moving" trailers that fail to follow the main event are far more exciting than you'd want. Allow me to explain.
Have you ever driven a car with a trailer in tow? It takes some getting used to, after all, you have to account for the added weight when slowing down or the added length when making a turn or passing another vehicle. However, provided one takes these things into account, it isn't all that difficult. An experienced driver is likely to feel just as comfortable under these conditions as any. However, even a veteran can encounter situations that you'd hope would never happen.
My dear friend recently had one of these "near misses" while trailing his boat home. Evidently, even after a considerable number of hours on the road and well after the Sun was down, he hit a pothole which seemed to change the way the car was performing just moments before. It turns out that the trailer had become detached and was "competing" for the adjacent lane on the freeway. You can imagine the sparks flying and the grinding steel on the road bed, not a welcome sight at any time, let alone when you are tired and nearing the end of your trip. However, Lady Luck was on his side as the cargo came to rest with a minimum of damage or to the passengers leading the way. After assessing the situation, the root cause was traced to a failed hitch pin that had become disengaged; all the other parts were inpected and accounted for. Thankfully, what the road takes, it often times gives back to someone else and in this case, a replacement bolt for the hitch pin...perfect for this application.
Over the years, I have viewed my share of movie trailers, and I have seen oodles of trailers moving; but never have I seen a "moving" trailer that wasn't directly following the pace car. In the end, this near catastrophic ordeal did not turn out to be the "boat buster" it was billed to be, and thankfully, that has everyone giving it rave reviews. Popcorn anyone?
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A friend of mine was moving back east after receiving her masters at Ohio State. She had a small uhaul trailer in tow and as she approached the city of Lowell - her trailer passed her, but fortunately in the breakdown lane! No harm, no foul as they say, but there are many who aren't so lucky.
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