Fifth wheel safety chains?

IdaD wrote:
They aren't required in Idaho, OP. But they are required in other states and aren't s bad idea. I think I paid $60 for a pair on etrailer.

I guarantee that if you buy =any= commercially-built utility trailer, GN, bumper pull or pintle, that it will come from the factory with safety chains. Doesn't mean you have to use them, but they will be there.

Lyle

I don't see where the debate as to whether or not safety chains are "needed" or not is relevant. As I mentioned earlier, I seriously doubt the Andersen chains would hold anything anyway. The chains aren't bad, but the rings welded on to the ends of the adapter mount bolts are pretty soft metal and bend easily. I doubt the would actually hold. Either way, if you get a ticket, your option is to fight it in court, where you may or may not win. Much easier, simply use chains if you're traveling through multiple states, then there isn't any question and that the "Chain" issue is no longer an issue.

I seriously doubt the ball on the Andersen hitch is any more likely to fail that a kinpin setup. Actually, the Andersen adapter has one of those too. Since the safety chains are mounted to the adapter, if the kingpin portion of the connector fails, you'll loose the trailer there as well. Neither one however is likely in my opinion, it's just a matter of keeping out of potential trouble ticket/fine wise.

Dayle1 wrote:
I believe there is an underlying technical reason for chains on ball mounts and not on king pins. There is only a single size king pin, 2 inch and any hitch should work with and pin, SAFELY. But there are multiple ball sizes and someone can carelessly drop a 2-1/4 coupler over a 1-7/8 ball and the mistake is not visible, then a tail heavy load, a bump and trouble, hence chains. Has nothing to do with which type can haul more and even Andersen won't warranty stupid.

I think (but could be wrong) the safety chain requirement is due more to how they latch. If you fail to latch a 5th wheel they'll typically drop when you pull away. If you fail to latch a ball hitch you will probably get on the road just fine but the unlatched trailer could bounce off the ball at any time and at any speed.

So I have no issues with using chains for ball type hitches whether they're on the bumper, in the bed, or elevated as in the Andersen or Pullrite designs.

I believe there is an underlying technical reason for chains on ball mounts and not on king pins. There is only a single size king pin, 2 inch and any hitch should work with and pin, SAFELY. But there are multiple ball sizes and someone can carelessly drop a 2-1/4 coupler over a 1-7/8 ball and the mistake is not visible, then a tail heavy load, a bump and trouble, hence chains. Has nothing to do with which type can haul more and even Andersen won't warranty stupid.

They aren't required in Idaho, OP. But they are required in other states and aren't s bad idea. I think I paid $60 for a pair on etrailer.

WTP-GC wrote:

Dtank wrote:



The LAW that counts is the LEO behind the badge at the side of the road. (who may or may not interpret state law/s correctly)

Two LEOs in the family, both Florida Highway Patrol. Older, more experienced one says that double-towing is acceptable and legal in FL without CDL. Younger, less experienced one says (correctly) that CDL is required.

That just says that us older guys use Common Sense.

Dtank wrote:



The LAW that counts is the LEO behind the badge at the side of the road. (who may or may not interpret state law/s correctly)

^^^THIS^^^
Couldn't be more right!
Two LEOs in the family, both Florida Highway Patrol. Older, more experienced one says that double-towing is acceptable and legal in FL without CDL. Younger, less experienced one says (correctly) that CDL is required.

Blazing Zippers wrote:


My question is: Would a safety chain be required by law when employing an Anderson type hitch?

No matter what "a' (as in "one") trooper said, and the various DMVs (which are often wrong)......

The LAW that counts is the LEO behind the badge at the side of the road. (who may or may not interpret state law/s correctly)

Chains on a fifth wheel would be useless (anyway) - but...

E-Z solution: - make up and rig a set of chains, and be done with it!

.

RustyJC wrote:
Hey, if you can figure out how to tow a 5th wheel with a pintle hitch, go for it. The subject of this thread is 5th wheel and gooseneck hitches.

Rusty

I believe this click here loaded full with shelled corn connected to a 4-wheel drive truck when pulled out of the field will put more load/strain on a gooseneck ball than you will ever put on your 5th wheel camper kingpin. I've never seen one fail! I'm not saying one is better than the other, just that one isn't superior to the other. And YES you will need safety chains to be legal on the high-way but either will do the job. It just depends on your preference.

sayoung wrote:

Second Chance wrote:

minnow wrote:
According to Andersen Hitches, the overwhelming majority of the states do not require the chains. California, Texas and Indiana are the only 3 that do. They also stated that the Ultimate Hitch was tested and certified as a Fifth Wheel Hitch and not a ball mount hitch.

This is the correct response. We use safety chains because we are domiciled in Texas and I don't want to worry about getting hassled.

Rob

+1 . I don't see the need for them since there is the break-away safety switch still in play but just don't want the hassle from some cop in bug tussle .

Andersen can call it what they want, but a ball hitch is a ball hitch, not a King Pin.