Using saftey chains with trailer
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 979
Likes: 1
From: Glenn Heights,TX now in Vegas
Using saftey chains with trailer
I had a friend that has pulled trailers for years tell me that I should not use the chains. My hitch has a place for them the trailer I bought has them. He does bring an interesting point though. If it does come lose do I really want it still attached my chains.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
Towing with a trike your chances of injury would be reduced I would think/hope... but on two wheels I could see the danger. Tough decision. Good valid points from you guys. Makes you think, me or him? The more I contemplate this I believe I would pick me and use the chains.
Anyone hear about the cross chain law? It's DOT regulations that you must use safety chains and have then crossed, right side goes to the left and left side goes to the right. Not sure why, maybe for better control of a loose trailer?
Anyone hear about the cross chain law? It's DOT regulations that you must use safety chains and have then crossed, right side goes to the left and left side goes to the right. Not sure why, maybe for better control of a loose trailer?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 1
From: Lake County FL
a few years ago, i was headed to the lake one sunny sunday afternoon towing my two jet-skis on a tandem trailer. the afternoon started out a little bad as i had just fallen in my pool, fully clothed and ruined my cell phone (another long story..) anyway - being in a hurry to get to the lake and being a little frustrated, i apparently didn't get the tongue of the trailer on the ball all the way. i had the safety chains in place, criss-crossed and all was well. So I'm heading down the road, totally distracted as I'm trying to dry my wallet and contents on the dash of my truck when I realize I am approaching a nasty set of railroad tracks at about 40 mph.
You guessed it. I hit the tracks and the trailer came off the hitch. I knew it once I hit the tracks. As I watched the trailer weaving back and forth behind me, I made my next mistake by pulling over and stopping very abruptly, rather than coming to a slow stop. Smash! The trailer tongue went under the bed of my truck and allowed the jack to hit the rear bumper. Luckily there was no damage except to my pride. Thought I would share. Safety chains (to me) are a great idea.
*Crossing the chains properly, allows them to act as a cradle for the tongue to ride in should the trailer come unhitched.
You guessed it. I hit the tracks and the trailer came off the hitch. I knew it once I hit the tracks. As I watched the trailer weaving back and forth behind me, I made my next mistake by pulling over and stopping very abruptly, rather than coming to a slow stop. Smash! The trailer tongue went under the bed of my truck and allowed the jack to hit the rear bumper. Luckily there was no damage except to my pride. Thought I would share. Safety chains (to me) are a great idea.
*Crossing the chains properly, allows them to act as a cradle for the tongue to ride in should the trailer come unhitched.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 142
From: Sioux Center, Iowa
Cross chains will make a cradle for the hitch should it come lose. It will keep it more in line with the bike and keep it from dropping to the road.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Parker, CO
It is a law in any state I know of that you MUST have chains and have them in-use. A few years back a guy lost a trailer on I80 in Omaha. It came loose and crossed the median and the tongue of the trailer went through the windshield of an oncoming car. The tongue went through the drivers chest.
Its your trailer; its your responsibility!
Please do the right thing and use the chains or leave the thing at home.
Sorry to be so blunt about this but ........
Its your trailer; its your responsibility!
Please do the right thing and use the chains or leave the thing at home.
Sorry to be so blunt about this but ........
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Earth
Its your trailer; its your responsibility!
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: N. Atlanta Burbs
That makes perfect sense to me now. Thanks for the explanation.
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