Chains

While it may be the law in some states, my opinion has always been that in the event of a hitch failure I want to get away from the trailer not be tethered to it. I use the chains but don't believe in them.

On a TT the Jack may hit the ground before the tongue. But if the Jack breaks off Will the tongue touch the road surface?

Many utility trailers don't have jacks. Will the crossed chains keep the tongue from hitting the road?

5% of us want to know. :)

Texas Law:
https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=37&pt=1&ch=21&rl=5

Does not say they have to be crossed, just attached in a manner where the tounge will not hit the ground. Seems it would be hard to prove either way in court.

I agree with Turtle n peeps on the likely hood of it making much difference on it hitting the ground due to the jack position.

From the mto.gov.on.ca site

If safety chains are used, they must be crossed under the tongue to prevent the tongue from drop­ping to the road if the primary hitch accidentally disconnects. The chain hooks must have latches or devices that will not accidentally become detached.

I cross my chains on my TT because it's free but it won't cradle the tongue like 95% of the people on here think it will.

How do I know this? Because I've tired it. The first thing that will hit the ground if the trailer comes off of the hitch is the jack foot. It will slam into the ground and bend it to a 45 degree angle or more. Then it will grind, grind and grind some more.

If you don't believe me just do this. Lower your jack all the way down as far as it will go. Then back your truck up until your rear bumper almost touches the jack. Now hook your safety chains up. Can you hook them up? Thought so. If you can, you're not going to cradle anything.

If you chain is longer than the distance from the bottom of the ball to the ground the chain won't cradle anything. It can't. If you shorten them up, then you won't be able to make a sharp turn without them binding. (I've tried that also.)

What crossing chains will do is keep you trailer slightly more straight in the event it comes lose from the hitch.

My Sunline TT which was manufactured in PA has safety cables instead of chains. And they are attached so close to the end of the trailer tongue, that even crossing them will not form a cradle to catch the tongue should it come uncoupled from the ball.

Pennsylvania law requires safety chains to be crossed, unless it changed. I have not checked lately.

Common sense will tell you to cross the chains for the reason you stated.

Maybe that's the reason?
The decline in common sense, I think we see too often.

Its Texas law to cross the chains, for the chains to not drag on the ground, and for the brake cable to be attached somewhere else other than the hitch.

But doing all that is another story.

The tongue of the trailer or tow bar must be supported in such away as it cannot hit the ground. This is normally done by crossing the chains and in the case of some tow bars a manufactured support.