Safety chain placement

[cs2kplus]

It seems like you are supposed to mount your safety chains (criss-cross - just learned that) on the hitch receiver mounted to the vehicle. Does it not make more sense to mount to the FRAME of the vehicle instead? I used to mount to the frame. Kinda made sense - that if the hitch receiver failed...the backup would be the solid vehicle frame? Thoughts? I may be missing something.:B

[Muddydogs]

LarryJM wrote:
Also, for the gent that thinks they will always brake ... they are not designed to keep a trailer on its side atrtached to a vehicle. A trailer like that is not going to travel very far and the whole safety system has been compromised since the brakes and emergency braking is non existant and I'm amazed that this gent didn't understand the apples to oranges comparison he was IMO not understanding.Larry

Actually you seem to be the one with an understanding problem as the trailers ended up on their side after breaking away from the truck.

Breakaway cables are not meant to engage the trailer brakes while the trailer is still chained to the truck, if your trailer comes unhitched and the chains are supporting the weight the driver uses the manual override on the trailer brake controller to engage the trailer brakes, the breakaway switch is meant as a last resort when the trailer becomes completely detached from the truck the trailer tires lock up to stop the trailer. Would you want to be going 60 mph down the road, have your trailer come unhitched and have the trailer brakes completely lock up? I wouldn't. This would be a sure way to break your chains. If you actually had your breakaway cable short enough to pull out if the trailer came unhitched and was resting on the safety chains then it would be short enough to be pulled out when taking a hard corner or during backing, that's why the cables are to long to begin with.

[BarneyS]

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:
If chains are short enough to not hit the ground and hooked up straight, left left and right right, many times when you make a sharp turn the outside chain will be tight/bind.

If you cross the chains this does not happen.

Bingo! Correct answer. 🙂

As far as catching the tongue coupler if it comes off the ball, that usually can't happen. See this illustrated, archived thread by Jbarca that explains why.

Also see this thread about crossing the chains.
Barney

[marcsbigfoot20b]

If chains are short enough to not hit the ground and hooked up straight, left left and right right, many times when you make a sharp turn the outside chain will be tight/bind.

If you cross the chains this does not happen.

[LarryJM]

coolbreeze01 wrote:

hawkeye-08 wrote:
For those that are saying it is good to cross chains, you are assuming that the chains are connected separately to each side of the frame so that by crossing them you have created a cradle of sorts that will support the tongue if it comes off the ball.. My safety chains are both connected to the same point (rod running between bottom of frame sides). Crossing my chains just shortens them a bit, it does not create a cradle.

I think you will find that even if the chains are connected at the same point, there is a left and right. So crossing them will provide the cradle effect if needed.

That is 100% CORRECT and those that think otherwise like Hawkeye-08 IMO haven't analyzed how crossing them forms this cradle. It is not necessary to have them attached at separate points on the tongue to be effective. In fact having them connected to a common "V" shaped point is the most effective configuration to ensure the trailer tracks true behind the TV and doesn't try and "CAREEN" to one side or another or back and forth side to side quickly that can occur if they are connected say on each side of the tongue.

Larry

[hawkeye-08]

coolbreeze01 wrote:

hawkeye-08 wrote:
For those that are saying it is good to cross chains, you are assuming that the chains are connected separately to each side of the frame so that by crossing them you have created a cradle of sorts that will support the tongue if it comes off the ball.. My safety chains are both connected to the same point (rod running between bottom of frame sides). Crossing my chains just shortens them a bit, it does not create a cradle.

I think you will find that even if the chains are connected at the same point, there is a left and right. So crossing them will provide the cradle effect if needed.

I think you will find that on my trailer, they do not create a cradle. I know they do not create a cradle of any sort.

BTW, I crossed my chains on my previous trailer since they connected to each side of the frame and there was a cradle created by crossing them. I don't on the current trailer because my chains are already short enough and it does not provide any cradle.

[coolbreeze01]

hawkeye-08 wrote:
For those that are saying it is good to cross chains, you are assuming that the chains are connected separately to each side of the frame so that by crossing them you have created a cradle of sorts that will support the tongue if it comes off the ball.. My safety chains are both connected to the same point (rod running between bottom of frame sides). Crossing my chains just shortens them a bit, it does not create a cradle.

I think you will find that even if the chains are connected at the same point, there is a left and right. So crossing them will provide the cradle effect if needed.

[cs2kplus]

actually - good point hawkeye. I just notice I have the same bar. I have an 89...so - noty sure if that was how they did them back then. I tried crossing them - and really does nothing. However - I feel the weight distribution bars do lend a hand in keeping things together. Ball really can't fall off. Especially my old style trunnion bars.

[hawkeye-08]

For those that are saying it is good to cross chains, you are assuming that the chains are connected separately to each side of the frame so that by crossing them you have created a cradle of sorts that will support the tongue if it comes off the ball.. My safety chains are both connected to the same point (rod running between bottom of frame sides). Crossing my chains just shortens them a bit, it does not create a cradle.

[coolbreeze01]

Crossed safety chains are required by law in most states and plain common sense in the rest.

[BurbMan]

Muddydogs wrote:
....and the flatbed trailer crossed the road and stopped in a pile of dirt.

This is exactly why ALL trailers are required to have breakaway mechanisms that activate the brakes in these types of circumstances. Had that trailer hit an oncoming motorist you would be in pretty deep with no breakaway mechanism on the trailer.

Trailers with electric brakes are required to have a battery on board, even if it's a dry cell. Trailers with surge brakes have mechanically-activated breakaway mechanisms that work in a similar fashion.

The point that T&P makes about the length of the breakaway cable and having it short enough to activate with the safety chains still connected has been debated at length on here several times. Seems to be an even opinion split with those who agree with T&P's approach and those who agree with mosseater's approach.

[icanon]

So hooking up to the frame instead of the receiver is suppose to be better, then your weakest link is the where the safety chains hooks up to the TT a mickey mouse bar (rod) welded to the tongue isn't much stronger.

[4X4Dodger]

cs2kplus wrote:
It seems like you are supposed to mount your safety chains (criss-cross - just learned that) on the hitch receiver mounted to the vehicle. Does it not make more sense to mount to the FRAME of the vehicle instead? I used to mount to the frame. Kinda made sense - that if the hitch receiver failed...the backup would be the solid vehicle frame? Thoughts? I may be missing something.:B

The force required to shear either the pin that holds your receiver in place or the bolts that hold your hitch to the frame is so great that if it was ever exerted would also snap your chains instantly.

Putting them on the frame is useless.

Large Jet engines are often bolted to their mounts using bolts not much bigger (albeit grade 😎 than that of your hitch bolts. I dont think you have to worry too much.

[icanon]

Not to hijack this thread but I have a question since we are on the subject of hooking up.
Why do we hook up the S hook (upside down) from the bottom with the spring clip on the upper side of hook? Hope I made myself clear?

[dodge_guy]

The only thing I connect to the frame is the breakaway cable.

[cs2kplus]

I like the idea of having the chains on the vehicle and being criss-crossed with the break away lanyard being short enough that it activates the brakes before the chains fully extend.

My original rational for asking the question of frame vs receiver was because I saw the receiver as being less reliable than the vehicle frame. I did not really consider the tongue dropping of the ball, which is a separate point.

Just to throw some fuel on this....wouldn't a weight distribution system assist in keeping the tongue on securely?