Why must pintle safety locking pins remain attached to the pintle assembly?

Pintle safety locking pins are crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of the pintle assembly, which connects a trailer to a towing vehicle. Keeping the locking pins attached ensures that they do not come loose during operation. If a pin were to dislodge and become lost, it could compromise the connection between the vehicle and the trailer, leading to safety hazards, such as disengagement while driving or towing. Thus, the primary reason for having these pins attached is to prevent an unsecure pin from coming out and getting lost, which directly preserves the safety and functionality of the towing system during transport.