How To Properly Setup Safety Chains?
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lancaster, MA
How To Properly Setup Safety Chains?
I have always crossed my safety chains when hooking them up to my hitch. My buddies always make fun of me and just do theirs straight across. What is the proper way to hook them up? I don't know who I got the idea to cross them from, but that is just what I've always done.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Cross them.
It is supposed to keep the tounge from hitting the pavement in a worst case situation. This does 2 things
1} allows you some control and steering to get off the road safely
2} keeps the trailer tounge from "spearing" a pot hole or other road defect and ripping off of the chains.
It is supposed to keep the tounge from hitting the pavement in a worst case situation. This does 2 things
1} allows you some control and steering to get off the road safely
2} keeps the trailer tounge from "spearing" a pot hole or other road defect and ripping off of the chains.
Posting Guru
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If you look at a trailer's owners manual, it will tell you to cross them for the very reasons mentioned above. Not only will the chains cradle the tongue, they will also prevent the trailer from swaying after it comes unhooked.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Indianapolis, IN
When I worked at Uhaul we were trained to cross them. We actually had an employee get fired because he would never cross the chains and the manager didn't want to take the chance that something would happen and us be held liable.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lancaster, MA
Thanks. I thought I was doing it right, but just wnated to be sure. I have towed many trailers, but it's just one of those things I never even think about it. I've never run them straight across.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I cross mine, but the hook points on my TT are so close, it would be hard to tell if they are crossed. I plan to have the hook pionts changed,(well I plan to change that myself). I believe a good cross can help a bit in a hitch malfunction.
Make sure your chains are six to eight inches off the ground at the low point, but, make sure you have enough slack to make a sharp turn!
Make sure your chains are six to eight inches off the ground at the low point, but, make sure you have enough slack to make a sharp turn!
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: shelocta, pa
on a side note some one told me the hooks are illegal and we have to use those closed links that screw shut. I'm in PA so local laws might vary. last year there was a guy who lost his tow behind wood chipper and killed 3 people. so towing laws are tight here now.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lancaster, MA
Originally Posted by 73f100shortbed
I would tell your buddies to stop making fun of you because they are the ones who are doing it wrong.
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