Extending Safety Chains

[PacNWChris]

If I need to extend (or replace) the safety chains on my trailer, do I use the loaded weight of the trailer to determine what capacity of the safety chain/cable I need? Thanks!

[LarryJM]

This crossing safety chains has been beaten to death more than I care to count and I still see the same misconceptions and not understanding the issues now here in this thread. If interested HERE is one fairly good thread on this subject and a search of "safety chains crossed" in the archives will get you over 400 hits.

IMO Safety Chains WORK but must be properly sized, crossed, and the proper length and I like the single attachment loop on the TT tongue because I feel it gives the best overall control in an emergency situation.

Larry

[mobeewan]

westend wrote:
On chains being crossed:

NHTSA towing guide wrote:
should cross under the trailer tongue to help
prevent the tongue from dropping to the road
in the event the trailer separates from the tow
vehicle.

from Pg 8 of NHTSA-Towing a trailer-being equipped for safety

"should cross under the trailer tongue" not "must cross under the trailer tongue"

My trailer came with one chain with hooks on both ends. It is connected to the tongue by a 3/8 diameter rod 3 inches long passing through the center link. Each end of the rod is welded to the trailer tongue. How do I cross the chain ends under the tongue?

[jaycocreek]

coolbreeze01 wrote:
You do realize the truck is moving and the brakes on the trailer are applied?

Ya, and if you leave the roller on the tongue jack you can just keep going. (Sorry for the sarcasm)..,

Having owned and driven semi trucks you see things most people don't and tend to know that when things go south on the road, it happens right now and the norm doesn't always apply except in a perfect world.

If everything was perfect it "could be" just like towing your car to the mechanic keeping things tight to a stop. The happy ending we all want.

And I'll leave it right there and not be the reaper hoping it never happens to anyone again.

[coolbreeze01]

You do realize the truck is moving and the brakes on the trailer are applied?

[jaycocreek]

I understand that but it makes know difference, atleast on mine. Measure the height of your safety chain hook up on your truck, it's going to be under 20" in most cases hooked up, then measure the length of your safety chains....

Remember, when it comes off your ball it's probably going under your truck to the point your safety chains are connected.

Crossing them makes little difference when your safety chains are so much longer than the height of your connection point on your truck.

If the tongue of my trailer where the ball goes was on the ground, I could easily hook up my safety chains even crossed.

It's sad, yes.. But that's the way it is.

[westend]

On chains being crossed:

NHTSA towing guide wrote:
should cross under the trailer tongue to help
prevent the tongue from dropping to the road
in the event the trailer separates from the tow
vehicle.

from Pg 8 of NHTSA-Towing a trailer-being equipped for safety

[jaycocreek]

Very true, probably why they put the break-away on them.

[coolbreeze01]

Apparently some RV builders and owner's don't understand what a safety chain is supposed to do.

[jaycocreek]

Hmm ... diametrically opposed opinions. lol

:B

It's simple math.. My 2008 Ford F-150 has the place to hook the tow chains too. With air bags on because I haul firewood, the connection point for the safety chains is 21" off the ground "without" a load on it. Once the trailer is hooked up it will be less.

The safety chains are 28.5" long....

It's going to hit the ground period if it comes off the ball making link size/rating academic because the loaded trailer is going to yank the tow vehicle wherever it wants, even my Super Ford.:B:B

[jaycocreek]

That's just not going to happen crossed or not.My Keystone safety chains are held on by a U shaped rod with a very minor weld to hold the chains to the trailer coming together at the U. Crossed chains makes no difference.

Put your safety chains on and crank down the tongue of your trailer and see if the chains will hold up the trailer with the tongue jack fully in......Mine won't.

[coolbreeze01]

The chains should be crossed to prevent the tongue from hitting the pavement. Its the law in some states and common sense in the rest.

[jaycocreek]

But ....
The chains are supposed to be of a length that keeps the tongue off the ground

Really?

I just went and looked at my 2010 factory installed/un-altered safety chains. They are 28.5 inches long to the tip of the hook and connected under the ball connection of the trailer tongue then hooked to the tow rig at a depth less than the height of the ball.

It's going to hit the ground if it comes off the ball, first it will hit the trailer jack fully raised and after that is sheared off comes the tongue frame.....

Any shorter and you couldn't corner properly or tight enough.

[BossCamper]

Nvr2loud wrote:
I hope my chains break if my trailer comes loose, I don't want to have a trailer with tongue on the ground to still be attached to my truck.

My trailer does not have break-away brakes on it, the selling dealer told me they are not required in Ontario. I have meant to install a controller and cable, but have yet to find the time. I can just picture my trailer travelling down the road beside me with my dog looking out the window as she passes by.....

But ....
The chains are supposed to be of a length that keeps the tongue off the ground, and attached so you can bring your rig to a stop, (in theory), and not have the trailer careen across the highway and kill someone.
I wouldn't want to lose a trailer like that and have investigation reveal I was hauling with too light chains. Liability insurance wouldn't be worth much for ya.
And what about if you go outside Ontario?

[Nvr2loud]

I hope my chains break if my trailer comes loose, I don't want to have a trailer with tongue on the ground to still be attached to my truck.

My trailer does not have break-away brakes on it, the selling dealer told me they are not required in Ontario. I have meant to install a controller and cable, but have yet to find the time. I can just picture my trailer travelling down the road beside me with my dog looking out the window as she passes by.....