Brilliant

Ok I get how it comes off real easy. How in gods name do you push on a chain to get the clip in position ???? LOL !!!

Have you ever pulled a trailer with a motorcycle? Much different than a 4-wheel vehicle. If that trailer came off the ball but stayed chained to the bike, you'd be on your side sliding down the road before you knew any different.

I've always used crossed safety chains when pulling a trailer, except if I was going to pull with a motorcycle. Which I've always felt was a bit sketchy anyway.

Motorcycles pulling trailers are notorious for doing this kind of stuff. I went through a lot of engineering to hook mine up properly so I have a chance to pull over if my trailer comes off the ball. I was out in South Dakota last summer and came across another motorcyclist pulling a trailer with no chains. He told me he has them in the trailer if a cop tells him he needs them he will put them on. When I pointed out he would be responsible if his trailer came off and rolled onto the sidewalk and killed somebody he said maybe he should put them on.

Just about that time another guy comes over to his bike and says "I was just checking but I see you already know about not using chains. When the law says I have to have them I cut a link so it will pull away. I've lost 2 that way so far."

Hopefully the next time that happens to him the link will give when he is on the brakes and the trailer will take him out instead of somebody else.
Sometimes Darwin works too slow.

Could be an honest mistake...telling the kid/spouse/buddy to help hook
up...notice that the receiver safety hole is under an inch away...so
they hooked it to the receiver pin clip not knowing

Also notice the newness of the clevis vs the other, older parts. Wonder why it
is new...did the old one fall off?

Or like others say...knew and did no purpose...I'll bet he'd be one
of the advisers who provide the "sure you can"..."been doing for decades
with no issues"...etc

Well, the law says safety chains are required. It doesn't specify say how they are to be connected! Crossed maybe, but not "how" to connect. Pretty cleaver if you ask me. Quite obvious the hooks are missing! That's red-neck ingenuity at it's finest! Gotta give the him a 2 thumbs up for that, though!

ECones wrote:
I've seen it all over. The attitude is "I've lived this long without (insert safety device here) and haven't needed it."

.

we see it every day in this forum, I don't use/need a surge protector because, I don't need a water pressure regulator because, I don't need brakes on my toad because, yadda, yadda, yadda.
bumpy

My ex father in law used to do something similar. He often said "If that trailer comes unhitched I don't want it anywhere near me". Looks like this individual feels the same way.

Pretty obvious safety chains could start a brush fire on dried grass:)

I've seen it all over. The attitude is "I've lived this long without (insert safety device here) and haven't needed it."

I bet the person who hooked the chain up in that photo just did it the easiest way. There are no hooks on the chain, and putting the shackle through that hole in the frame was just too much trouble. It wouldn't surprise me if the weight of the chain bouncing against that clip pulled it out.

I have seen a lot of that up in WY. They don't like being told they have to have trailer brakes or chains so they purposely mickey mouse the hook up so it just appears good at a distance. Same people usually don't wear seat belts either. I just don't believe someone hooks up that way unknowingly. Seems like the attitude is, my grandfather didn't need it, my dad didn't need it so I don't need it. They just rebel against safety standards being enforced.