Forum Discussion

mkirsch's avatar
mkirsch
Nomad II
Dec 16, 2024

Smokey the Bear is spreading misinformation about safety chains!

Caught a commercial on youtube this morning, depicting a man driving backwards with a travel trailer. The area behind the trailer was on fire, and the area in front of the pickup was normal. Eventua...
StirCrazy's avatar
StirCrazy
Moderator
Dec 17, 2024

it is comon to cross the chains to cradle the tounge infact thats how it is taught in a lot of manuals.  the theory is that if your ball breaks the crossed chains will catch the tounge and prevent it from digging into the pavment.  every trailer I have ever seen has them crossed.  now as for wraping them, that just means you have them to long and  need to take a link or two off.  

  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jan 03, 2025

    Not simply crossed. As shown the chains were tightly wrapped and twisted together multiple times, possibly even tied in a knot.

About Tow Vehicles

From fifth wheels to teardrop trailers and everything in between.232 PostsLatest Activity: Oct 28, 2025