Trailer chain question...

[Crunch]

An over-the-air television network called NTD is airing a PSA warning people about trailer chains sparking wildfires. It begins with an animated, raging wildfire filling the screen behind a truck being driven by a man who oblivious to what is going on behind him. Time then starts moving backward, with the natural landscape being restored as the truck moves backward on the highway. The truck then backs over a pothole which apparently knocked the chains loose and started the fire. Smokey Bear then walks out and twists both chains together like a rope before connecting them to the trailer hitch on the truck.

So my question is, does anyone here connect trailer chains to their truck this way? I've pulled trailers my entire adult life an I have never even seen it done like this. I always twist each chain to length individually, then cross them left to right/right to left before connecting them to the trailer hitch. So have I been doing it wrong all this time?

 

[petersonj]

I suppose it partly depends upon the type of safety chain hooks that one has. All of of my safety chains have a spring latch on the hook that won't allow for the chain to unintentionally disconnect. Plus, I have customized the length of the chains so they cannot contact the ground under any circumstances.

- John

 

[GCroyle]

I do not twist my chains. But to keep them off of the road I do use a GOOD rubber bungee cord over the stinger and keeping the slack off of the road surface. The bungee is not going to interfere with deployment if it's a really bad day. Pretty sure twisting chains derates the capacity. https://nationaltrailerparts.com/20... twist safety chains,stress wear on the chain.

I'm a bit fussy about my chains as I had a coupler replacement and at the same time new chain anchors that allow chain removal etc. so nope, I'm not allowing them to drag.

 

[Nigel]

Chains have maximum strength when the links are in a straight line. If it is your trailer make the chains the correct length. If someone else’s maybe use a bungee cord to hold up the chain to the hitch.
Nigel

 

[Larry Willard]

I never twist any safety chains, but do make sure they are the proper length and can't disconnect.

 

[Crunch]

All the trailers I drive have the spring latches too, but because none of the trailers are mine, I have no control over their length. It makes sense that twisting the chains lowers their rating, which makes it even more strange that the Smokey Bear Corporation shows the two chains being twisted together in their PSA. You would think they should know about that, but I suppose they are more focused on wild fires and don't really think about the other safety aspects of pulling a trailer.

 

[DClark]

I have found that some hitches have the chain holes big enough to allow the chain to pass through and this allows you to adjust the chain length so they don't drag. Iv'e seen both Ford and GM hitches with too small of holes so you are forced to hook the chain at the hole. My Dodges all have large enough holes to allow the chain to pass through and be able to adjust the chain length.
DClark

 

[slowmover]

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21000696/print/true.cfm

 

[ranger 393]

https://towstats.com/is-it-a-law-to-cross-safety-chains/

 

[Timd32]

While on chain hook up.

The way I have read the DOT stuff, the cable for the breakaway Brake needed to be hooked to a different spot then the chain, but I have not seen a better location on my '18 or '22, both of my smaller trailers (8k, 13.8k) have a small carabiner on the wire, and really only work on the chain hole.

What are other folks doing for that hookup.

I guess I could make a second hole somewhere, or wrap another wire around the hitch somehow.

My 13.8k trailer the wire is super short one of those coil deals that extends.

 

[NIsaacs]

The breakaway cable can be attached to the same location as the safety chain, just don't hook to the chain or the chain hook. It needs it's own hook/shackle.

 

[Topzide]

@Timd32, I wrap my break-away around the hitch tube. If your break-away cable is to short to do this, take a short length of chain with clasp of appropriate strength to attach the cable to. I use one of those links that has the screw close on it. Loop around tube and fasten back around the cable. I know a fellow way back that had his safety chains filed to break! He said if trailer came unhooked, he didn't want it behind him. The biggest thing is to have something that secures the trailer ball latch in the "locked" position. Have had to get on a couple of buddies with their trailers! A bail latch or PTO pin with a short cable lead to stay near the hitch works great! Be safe and think about hooking up and having a properly secure load without being overloaded!

 

[GCroyle]

This likely varies TV to TV but on my '05 the top license plate mounts to some good steel. I removed a screw and installed an eyebolt. It's separate from the receiver assy.

I replaced my coupler as a just because thing and at the same time I had these chain anchors welded on at the same time. These allow easy chain replacement etc and are a robust attachment point. I installed G70 3/8" chain to my 5/16" hooks, why? I liked it. The coupler is a Demco cast rated at 21K it does a nice job.

 

[Crunch]

I found the video I mentioned at the Smokey Bear web site:


Don't drag tow chains

 

[Turbo Terry]

I have a hard believing it all out of all the trailers one dragging causes a forest fire but maybe. If Smokey says it it must be true right?

 

[Timd32]

The breakaway cable can be attached to the same location as the safety chain, just don't hook to the chain or the chain hook. It needs it's own hook/shackle.

Yeah I always have been using the same hole but not the same chain. It's the only thing that makes sense, I run it thru the hole and it clips to its self, the bigger trailer clips on.

@Timd32, I wrap my break-away around the hitch tube. If your break-away cable is to short to do this, take a short length of chain with clasp of appropriate strength to attach the cable to. I use one of those links that has the screw close on it. Loop around tube and fasten back around the cable. I know a fellow way back that had his safety chains filed to break! He said if trailer came unhooked, he didn't want it behind him. The biggest thing is to have something that secures the trailer ball latch in the "locked" position. Have had to get on a couple of buddies with their trailers! A bail latch or PTO pin with a short cable lead to stay near the hitch works great! Be safe and think about hooking up and having a properly secure load without being overloaded!

Yep small trailer has the bail latch, bigger has the bail latch that is also wired to the trailer from the MFG.

In talking to my landlord he likes the Pintle mounts for that reason, I don't know much about towing with a Pintle, they offered either with the bigger trailer, I stuck with the ball mount since I was familiar with it.

Heading out to Ohio next weekend with the bigger trailer will take some pics if I remember, the little trailer is still hooked up.

 

[Crunch]

It occurs to me that based on the laws regarding tow chains that @ranger 393 posted, Smokey Bear is pretty much advocating breaking the law in the 4 states that require crossing of chains. When you twist them together you have a 50/50 chance of crossing them when you connect them to the hitch, unless you have them color coded or marked in some way to tell left from right. So if you get pulled over and the cop unwinds them, they might not be crossed at all. This on top of the reduced strength from binding them together in the first place.

 

[Turbo Terry]

I was taught to do a walk around when I stopped every nature call or fuel stop. To catch things before they cause problems

 

[Timd32]

Parked the little trailer, brought out the bigger one, checked air pressures and did a quick drive around before the weekend.

Unfortunately can't take the big truck next weekend, kinda sucks, but I need the lift gate to load an engine into the truck, we have no way to load the thing up into the 3500.

Winch battery is on charge.

Little Trailer (7k 7x14 Enclosed) I've always just passed thru and clipped it back to its self using the same hole as the safety chain.

Bigger Trailer (13.8k 24' Deckover)
Has spiral deal, it's a little tight but still plenty of stretch), w
Always just clip to the same chain hole.

 

[Topzide]

Saw a neat accessory for trailer safety chains. It was a J-bolt setup with flat stock to clamp around the receiver. This wold allow you a place to hang chains on to prevent them from dragging!
Amazon product ASIN B08GRG5NZWMaybe this could help with those who have longer chains, also would stop with the twisting of the chains. Just thought I'd post this for info. Be safe when towing and make sure it's hitched and locked!