Added Safety Chains to Trailer
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 528
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From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Added Safety Chains to Trailer
Well I decided to go ahead and add safety chains to my goosneck stock trailer. I bought some 5/16" chain at the local hardware store (4800lb rated, break rating somewhere aroudn 15k). I drilled holes thru the channel in the neck of the trailer and used 7/16 grade 8 bolts to attach the chains. Hope I never have to use them, but glad they are there now...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
You don't have to cross gooseneck chains :P The cross is to support the tongue of a tagalong trailer to prevent the hitch from digging into the road and snapping the chains.
Good for you for adding chains!! So many people neglect them.
Good for you for adding chains!! So many people neglect them.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 528
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From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
I figure if the trailer comes loose, its going backwards. If the chains are crossed it will make them just a little shorter and it will stop the trailer from moving much. I'm sure we could debate the reasons to do one or the other, but I'll keep crossing mine...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 308
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From: Sheridan/W Laffayette, IN
Great job man!
They are a great thing to have on ANY trailer. All the trailers we use at the farm, they have safety equipment like the chains that we cross. I've had a couple trailers break off but didn't go flying because the chains held them up a bit. 
They are a great thing to have on ANY trailer. All the trailers we use at the farm, they have safety equipment like the chains that we cross. I've had a couple trailers break off but didn't go flying because the chains held them up a bit.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Why don't you just size the chains the correct length? :P Crossing is very important for tagalong trailers but has no real use on goosenecks. But the important part is HAVING chains, and you now have those 
I added pretty chains on my friend's carhauler which we borrow all the time, and three months later when she noticed them she was quite pleased. A little work and $20 goes a looong way to adding safety.
I added pretty chains on my friend's carhauler which we borrow all the time, and three months later when she noticed them she was quite pleased. A little work and $20 goes a looong way to adding safety.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 528
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From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Because the right length for my truck and the right length for my dad's truck are not the same thing, because the mounting points are different. I made them long enough for his truck, and I have to twist them on mine, didn't have much choice.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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I pull a 21' TT w/my 2000 Exc'. I had rusty old different sized chains that came w the trailer. Looked like crap! Bought a set of heavy duty plastic coated coiled cables. No more ugly ol' chains! I also run my brake control and electrical hook up through them. Nice and neat!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Most cables aren't strong enough... I used grade 88 chains (9000lbs working weight, 20k breaking, the strongest I could find) and grade 8 bolts. Most of the cables are only strong enough for lightweight trailers. I don't like to tangle my cables and such up with the chains, I want each part to be independant from the other. I don't want a hitch failure to cause the chains to pull out the emergency brake pin, causing the brakes to activate before the trailer is fully seperated from the truck. That will cause the chains to fail even if they were functioning properly. The brakes are meant to be activated only when the chains fail and cause the trailer to become fully independant. Be sure things are free enough to do their job in the event of an emergency. Pretty is nice, but pretty is as pretty does!