Do you cross your safety chains?

[Doug33]

This has probably been discussed elsewhere but I couldn't find it through a search.

When I bought my TT, the dealer's tech doing the walk through and hitch hook up told me you no longer have to cross the safety chains. I used to do that with my previous TT.

Recently when I had my 7 pin wiring connection replaced at a local trailer facility, the tech told me it's a law that you have to have the chains crossed. He said if the TT becomes detached, the crossed chains act as a cradle to prevent the TT from nosediving into the pavement. He also said there is a law that you have to remove your hitch if you are not towing - otherwise you can be sued if someone runs into your hitch and hurts themselves. I leave my hitch on the truck all season until the TT is winterized, and then I remove it for the winter.

[Bmach]

Maybe the laws regarding the removal of the tow hitch when not in use has more to do with YOUR safety than someone else's. Think about it. Most front and rear bumpers have energy absorbing technology, if the first contact point is your hitch the bumper is not going to be able to do its job. Correct?

[3oaks]

danimal53 wrote:

coolbreeze01 wrote:
Although the chains may be connected to the same spot on the a-frame, there is a left and right.

Running the right from the trailer to the left on the TV and left from the trailer to the right on the TV, effectively crosses them.

my chains are connected to the same U, but yes, they are side by side so I technically cross them, though there is definitely no cradle created. The chains are just too close together on the TT to really matter. No idea if it's the law or not, but I guess I would be "legal"

Precisely! And that is the set-up directly from the manufactures of certain make trailers. No way are they going to form a cradle even when crossed.

Too many "arm chair experts" on the net.

[Mysanity]

I cross mine on all my trailers. During the PDI on our first trailer the tech hooked up my chains and then proceeded to weave the brake away cable through 6 or 7 links in the chain before connecting to the truck. I asked him how the emergency brake away could work when it's wrapped up in the chain. His response was I'm not sure but we do them all this way to keep it from dragging the ground. Makes me wonder how many families are running around setup like that..

[ECones]

A buddy is a paint and body man, and he told me they have to total cars and pickups from time to time that get hit in the rear with trailer hitches in place. It seems it bends the frame where the hitch is attached.

For this reason, my hitch isn't installed unless I'm actually pulling something.

[Sondy132001]

Ron3rd wrote:

jauguston wrote:
Many hitches are not removable. That part is BS.

Jim

X2, pure BS and having to remove your hitch. And yes, always cross your chains.

I would guess it depends on where your hitch or ball is on your tow vehicle but I left my hitch on and it was blocking my license plate and the cop pulled me over and gave me a ticket, booo I'm in California.

[crcr]

When we're camping and will be leaving again in a day or two, if we're not going to be parking in any congested parking lots, I leave the hitch on the truck.

But as a precaution for others and also us, whenever the hitch is on the truck, before every camping trip, I always tie 3 fresh pieces of bright orange nylon tape on the outermost 3 points of the hitch so that it is easier to see.

[F1bNorm]

Have not seen this mentioned, but to me, crossing the chains reduces the chance of the chains binding in a sharp turn. Or when you jackknife your trailer backing it up!

Norm

[GaryWT]

I cross my chains out of habit, not sure about the laws. Not sure why some say they cannot. If attacted at the same spot, give them a twist of two and they are crossed.

I generally take the hitch off but once in awhile I am too beat to do it when I come home so I leave it for 4-5 days until we camp again. While camping I rarely take it off.

[Community Alumni]

Always cross my chains. As someone who once had a hitch ball shear off, the only thing that saved my rig were the chains holding firm. I'm convinced that if my chains were not crossed, the trailer might have fishtailed into oblivion!

Actually there was one other thing, I never hit the brakes for almost a quarter mile.

[GMandJM]

rfinley wrote:
http://www.rvia.org/UniPop.cfm?v=2&OID=3383&CC=8544

Really good link for state-by-state safety chain requirements. Thanks.

[tshirtman]

the hitch has been on for 18 months now. I think it is a deterrent to tailgaters and they stay back. If they hit me they most likely will not live to sue and I will counter. Law in Nevada "shoot first"

[rfinley]

http://www.rvia.org/UniPop.cfm?v=2&OID=3383&CC=8544

[BubDelicious]

jk31668 wrote:
the hitch requirement is a new law in mich.

Never became law, if you are referring to bill 5610 (2012) in Michigan.

[camperforlife]

Speaking from experience, crossing the chains can save your backside. I had a boat coupler fail and the crossed chains kept the boat tongue a few inches above the pavement. Had the tongue hit the pavement while chained to the truck who knows what would have happened. I suspect that it would have gouged into the blacktop and it may have flipped the boat. Instead I slowed down, pulled off the road, made repairs and continued on my trip.

[Campfire_Time]

dave54 wrote:


As for crossing chains -- read the state vehicle code for yourself. Do not take any one elses word for it. Even judges look up the exact statutes while prepping for a trial or hearing. Lot boys at the RV dealer do not. Your neighbor's barber's brother-in-law did not.

X2! I know it's required in WI. I even read the statute!