Safety Chains Andersen Hitch

rhagfo wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Never heard of chains on a 5th wheel, just the break-away switch.

Gooseneck/ball hitches require safety chains.

X2
Anderson is a ball hitch no different than a gooseneck. Just because Anderson calls it The Ultimate Fifth Wheel hitch, doesn’t make it a 5th wheel hitch, just a gooseneck raised above the bed of the TV. Last count 37 states required safety chains for gooseneck hitches.

What if my traditional 5th wheel hitch is connected to the gooseneck ball in the bed of the truck?:h

N-Trouble wrote:
Show me why a ball/coupler NEED safety chains as opposed to a traditional 5er hitch and I will run them. But seeing how no other 5er is required to run them I'm not going to go run out and buy a set just because some paper says its the law...

The why is pretty simple, in the fifth wheel hitch world there is but one size king pin and hitch, 2". The system is relatively fool proof. But there are many ball sizes and a couplers latch will be ineffective with an undersized ball. Fail to close the latch on a fifth wheel hitch and you probably won't make it out of the campground. Use an undersized ball and the trailer can bounce off at 65 mph and affect other vehicles and roadways. Visual inspection after hookup will not reveal a coupler on an undersized ball. And if you believe pin weight is sufficient to prevent disconnection, then why do all couplers have a latch or lock pin? Or maybe you feel that since the Andersen is sold as a matching ball and coupler, you can't have a problem. In that you are right, but laws are still valid til changed.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Never heard of chains on a 5th wheel, just the break-away switch.

Gooseneck/ball hitches require safety chains.

X2
Anderson is a ball hitch no different than a gooseneck. Just because Anderson calls it The Ultimate Fifth Wheel hitch, doesn’t make it a 5th wheel hitch, just a gooseneck raised above the bed of the TV. Last count 37 states required safety chains for gooseneck hitches.

GordonThree wrote:

Learjet wrote:

Me Again wrote:

This requirement does not apply to a semitrailer having a connecting device composed of a 5th wheel and kingpin assembly that meets the requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

I tried to find the list or requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission with no luck?

First result from Google
49 CFR 393.70(d)(5)

yep, I know how to google, I also know how to read the ECFR... (d)(5) doesn't apply to 5th wheels its for towbars or full trailers ie. dollys.

So in summary, no chains for my 5th wheel in MS because I meet the requirements :)

N-Trouble wrote:
Show me why a ball/coupler NEED safety chains as opposed to a traditional 5er hitch and I will run them. But seeing how no other 5er is required to run them I'm not going to go run out and buy a set just because some paper says its the law...

I haven't looked at statutes or regs, but the way the California DMV website describes it you don't need chains for a fifth wheel trailer regardless of how it's hitched (ball or otherwise). Oregon does require chains with a ball setup. Idaho doesn't. I put chains on because I figure they don't hurt anything and I tow quite a bit in Oregon. They certainly aren't difficult to attach/detach.

Learjet wrote:

Me Again wrote:

This requirement does not apply to a semitrailer having a connecting device composed of a 5th wheel and kingpin assembly that meets the requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

I tried to find the list or requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission with no luck?

First result from Google
49 CFR 393.70(d)(5)

JIMNLIN wrote:
Amazing how some rv folks don't think a law concerning requirements for safety chains concerns them because they have a 5th wheel trailer or other silly reasons.... they simple choose to ignore those laws concering ball type hitches.

OP...... I would stay in compliance with those states safety chain laws you will be traveling through.

And you never break a law right? Never go 56 in a 55?

Me Again wrote:

This requirement does not apply to a semitrailer having a connecting device composed of a 5th wheel and kingpin assembly that meets the requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

I tried to find the list or requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission with no luck?

JIMNLIN wrote:
Amazing how some rv folks don't think a law concerning requirements for safety chains concerns them because they have a 5th wheel trailer or other silly reasons.... they simple choose to ignore those laws concering ball type hitches.

OP...... I would stay in compliance with those states safety chain laws you will be traveling through.

I will throw this into the mix also. A 5th wheel hitch in SD requires safety chains, as the hitch is not approved for Interstate Commerce.


South Dakota Trailer Towing Laws and Mississippi has the same verbiage.

In addition to the regular trailer hitch or coupling device, every trailer that is towed on the public highways at a speed of more than 20 mph must be coupled to the towing vehicle with a safety chain, chains, cables, or an equivalent device. This requirement does not apply to a semitrailer having a connecting device composed of a 5th wheel and kingpin assembly that meets the requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Amazing how some rv folks don't think a law concerning requirements for safety chains concerns them because they have a 5th wheel trailer or other silly reasons.... they simple choose to ignore those laws concering ball type hitches.

OP...... I would stay in compliance with those states safety chain laws you will be traveling through.