I went back to the scales today to see if the adjustments I made to my hitch restored all the weight to the front axle. On the first run my front end was still 100 pounds light. I grabbed one more link, this took a little effort even with the tongue jack helping me relieve the tension. 2nd weigh I was at stock height and weight on my front axle. Long story short I want to know if my bars are parallel enough to my trailer frame? Are they bent to much? I can post all the details if needed.

Looks good from here, I'd take up a link or two on the safety chains. Do not twist them. just hook up in 1 or 2 links shorter. just keep them from dragging.

You look like you are good to go to me.

I can't tell, are you safety chains crossed, if not go ahead and cross them

They are not crossed. I didn't know that was needed. What's the purpose of that? How much tension is too much on these bars? There's a lot more tension now over my previous set up. As long as the bars aren't super bowed am I good to go?

Ruger3739 wrote:They are not crossed. I didn't know that was needed.It's probably also covered in an actual statue, but page 11 of Ca DMV Pub 648 dtd 11/2011 Safety chains: Must be in an “X” pattern. Is one Ca DMV specific reference/source What's the purpose of that? It either prevents or minimizes contact of the tongue with the pavement and if it does it provides a skid of sorts to help prevent the tongue from digging into the pavement. It also keeps the trailer more directly behind the TV by not allowing the tongue to sway back and forth across the direction of travel. Both of these are sort of tied to the Ca. statue Ca. statue 29004 section (c) which also covers the length issue previously mentioned. How much tension is too much on these bars? There's a lot more tension now over my previous set up. As long as the bars aren't super bowed am I good to go?This length and crossing issue has been beaten to death here in prior threads that a search should show and have varying views as to how effective, etc. they are, but no body to my knowledge have shown a definitive downside to crossing them or having them as short as possible.Larry

Is my setup good? | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

LarryJM
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2015
Ruger3739 wrote:
They are not crossed. I didn't know that was needed.

It's probably also covered in an actual statue, but page 11 of Ca DMV Pub 648 dtd 11/2011
Safety chains: Must be in an “X” pattern.

Is one Ca DMV specific reference/source

What's the purpose of that?

It either prevents or minimizes contact of the tongue with the pavement and if it does it provides a skid of sorts to help prevent the tongue from digging into the pavement. It also keeps the trailer more directly behind the TV by not allowing the tongue to sway back and forth across the direction of travel. Both of these are sort of tied to the Ca. statue Ca. statue 29004 section (c) which also covers the length issue previously mentioned.

How much tension is too much on these bars? There's a lot more tension now over my previous set up. As long as the bars aren't super bowed am I good to go?

This length and crossing issue has been beaten to death here in prior threads that a search should show and have varying views as to how effective, etc. they are, but no body to my knowledge have shown a definitive downside to crossing them or having them as short as possible.

Larry
Ruger3739
Explorer
Apr 12, 2015
They are not crossed. I didn't know that was needed. What's the purpose of that?

How much tension is too much on these bars? There's a lot more tension now over my previous set up. As long as the bars aren't super bowed am I good to go?
old_guy
Explorer
Apr 12, 2015
I can't tell, are you safety chains crossed, if not go ahead and cross them
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2015
You look like you are good to go to me.
Tom_Barb
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2015
Looks good from here, I'd take up a link or two on the safety chains. Do not twist them. just hook up in 1 or 2 links shorter. just keep them from dragging.

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Is my setup good?

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