Do you cross your safety cables?

pulsar wrote:
When using a ball hitch, crossing the chains may be the most efficient way to meet that requirement. But, for tow bars that are attached to brackets, there are more efficient ways. Our cables are coiled around the arms of the tow bar.Tom

You cross the safety chains AROUND the tow bar like the tow bar for towing a toad??
Those arms move in and out, seems to me wrapping the safety chains and/or coiled safety cables around the tow bar could certainly cause some serious issues inhibiting or stopping the correct movement of the tow bar arms.

I have the coiled rubber coated safety cables and they are crossed 'underneath' the toads tow bar.

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Dutch_12078 wrote:
There's a listing of the individual state requirements at this link:

State Safety Chain Laws

I can't speak to the accuracy of the entire list, but the few states I checked appeared to agree with it.

Thank you for posting the link. It contains useful information.

That said, it does not directly address the issue of crossing safety chains. Instead, it has a column labeled Prevent Tow Bar From Dropping to Ground if Disengaged

When using a ball hitch, crossing the chains may be the most efficient way to meet that requirement. But, for tow bars that are attached to brackets, there are more efficient ways. Our cables are coiled around the arms of the tow bar.

Tom

It is mandatory in many states to cross them

YES. It will minimize the swing is it ever comes loose.

There's a listing of the individual state requirements at this link:

State Safety Chain Laws

I can't speak to the accuracy of the entire list, but the few states I checked appeared to agree with it.

Yes, force of habit. Even though I no longer use a ball hitch, guess you might call it muscle memory.

Well, I cross my cables for the same reason that one would do it for towing a trailer. It has always been my understanding that the reason for crossing them is to keep the towbar off the ground if it should ever come loose.

Ed Headington