The links at the end of this blog are the provincial safety standards for trailers in each province. Or are trailer safety chains just a legal pain in the rear? Chat live with a moving supplies specialist. The vehicle carries the receiver and the hitch mount (be it a ball, pintle, etc), while the trailer holds the coupler, safety chains, and electrical connections. I used to think that safety chains were only in case my hitch were to fail. This hitch isnt going to fail. Make sure the hitch and the vehicle are rated to tow your trailer and load. Safety chains are not required for fifth-wheel trailers. The concepts are pretty easy to see with some good graphics. Severely twisting the chains dramatically reduces the strength of the chains. So, its required by law. At the end of the day, everyones situation will be a little different given the variables of each particular job. Thats right. It doesnt hurt to nut-and-bolt-check every bit of hardware; this is a great time to inspect brakes and hub bearings or fix wiring underneath. The purpose of the safety chains is to keep the auto transport trailer connected to your tow vehicle in the unlikely event the coupler comes off the ball or the ball comes off the hitch. When shopping for RV safety chains, make sure that the chains WLL Is not lower than your RVs GVWR. The hitch system you end up with will ultimately be determined by the trailer and tow vehicles capabilities, so well dive into some of the most popular configurations and show you how to equip yourself for whatever come across your hauling radar. Their effectiveness is related to how much slack there is in the chains; there should be enough for the trailer to articulate through its range of motion without pulling the chains taut, but if theyre too loose, the trailer has more room to free roamuntil you come to a stop, like a long playground swing. DONTallow chain to drag the ground. Follow these steps to properly use your RV safety chain: We invite you to visit your nearest Lazydays RV dealership to learn more about how to properly use safety chains for your RV. Largely dependent upon the vehicles GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) and towing capacities, the universal five-class hitch rating system matches the hitch type to the trailers size and weight. Believe it or not, this is a big problem. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Please try again later. Are the articles helpful? While the legal requirements for RV trailer safety chains vary from state to state, its always a good idea to take the extra precautions of using safety chains no matter where youre driving. Here is a review of the Link Lock system as one example. Crossing the chains is required by law in some states and can prevent damage to your trailer in case the coupler comes loose while towing. To measure, attach the trailer in an "almost Jack-knifed" condition, and set the chain length to the furthest connection points. These Gantry Crane Plans have telescoping legs with options for the beam size and length. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Choose proper components. Some trailers will have brackets welded into the side of the tongue where you can attach the safety chains to the trailer. The trailer safety chains help prevent too much movement between the trailer and towing vehicle; they can serve as support . Specifically, for chains to work properly, it is essential to use the right grade, and a size guide can help determine which one would work. The chain should not be tight, but should not have much slack either. Step 3: Cross The Chains Underneath The Trailer Tongue. Your trailer should have some brackets welded into it on each side of the trailer tongue or on the frame near the tongue. Use the right equipment. help you choose a proper safety device for the your trailer's GVWR "Whenever you pull a trailer that is not equipped with an independent braking system that can stop it should it become detached from the vehicle, you must use a safety device (chain or cable) to attach the trailer to the towing vehicle." "The It features heavy-duty welded links for added strength. Copyright TrailMeister, 2022. The 5s are typically built with thicker steel and utilize more attachment points on the frame to better distribute the load. For instance, the Right length for a bumper hitch may not be Right for the same trailer with a drawbar. Remember, each safety chain assembly connecting your trailer to your vehicle must meet or exceed the gross trailer weight. Next, always keep chains from dragging on the ground while youre towing. Some dictate how chains must cross; others do not. While they may not be as strong as alloy chains, G30 chains are the least expensive option for your light construction or agricultural job. For instance, some states actually require chain, yet cable appears to be a legal substitute in others. Cables are becoming more and more accepted. Some states even require that you cross your tow chains for this reason. Thats an all too common practice that introduces some dangerous side effects. Hitch connections are important for towing, but safety chains are also crucial for properly towing the vehicle. First, thelawsthat require trailer safety chains. Safety Belt - RICE. U-Haul International, Inc.'s trademarks and copyrights are used under license by Web Team Associates, Inc. Towing your RV is easy with these hitching tips! AYMMIC Trailer Safety Chain Grade 70 3/8" x 35",2pcs,Each Fitted with 1 Clevis Slip Hook with Latch end Fitting,Working Load Limit:6.600 Lbs,for Heavy Duty Traile and Gooseneck Couplers 4.7 (47) $3799 Save 10% with coupon FREE delivery Tue, Mar 28 Or fastest delivery Fri, Mar 24 More Buying Choices $35.01 (2 used & new offers) A receiver hitch bolts to the chassis of the vehicle and uses a standardized size square slots that receive the necessary hitch mount. Our network of friendly neighborhood delivery drivers will pickup qualifying products from your local U-Haul Store and deliver them to your door. Technical cables are a medium-duty safety option and are very inefficient for bulk standard trailers. One interesting thread about laws in Texas point out a law about crossing the chains under the hitch, but that portion of the regulation was not in the same document as the rest of the law on trailers. Trailer Safety Chain - Link Lock | Revolutionizing Trailer Chain Safety It includes attachment at both ends. How best to strap a vehicle down for transport is an age-old debate, but generally, experts agree that its better to strap the vehicle at four points to the trailer corners, without crossing the straps in an X-pattern left-to-right. Weve all spotted people who shouldnt be anywhere near a car hauler, often pulling those infamous orange and white rental trailers, and simply put, we dont want any one of our dear readers to end up being lumped in with these meme-able novices. With these RV heating tips, its easy to enjoy winter RVing wherever your travels take you. They offer a quieter approach, and they can be much stronger for the size and weight. . Shorter (within reason) chains are safer in several ways. Cables dont adjust for length, and you cant fit them to be the right length. Fasten the chains to the vehicle On the surface it seems to reason that you dont ever want your trailer straying from the tow vehicle, so with belts and suspenders as it were, the redundant connection is good. If youve been paying attention to the pushback that people who roll coal have been getting from the government, youve seen how certain behaviors can become subject to heavy restrictions once enough people ruin it for everyone. To measure, attach the trailer in an almost Jack-knifed condition, and set the chain length to the furthest connection points. Measure up from the ground to the bottom of the coupler on the trailer. I have a 27ft trailer that loaded welds 6300 quid cat scan. Once you've hooked the chains up to each side of your trailer, cross them underneath the trailer tongue as you prepare to connect them to your vehicle. I cant tell you all the stories Ive heard and read about how trailer safety chains have saved the day. The chain should not be tight, but should not have much slack either. You definitely want that to activate in an emergency. Follow the Best Practices for Trailer Safety Chains in the section below. To keep it as simple as possible, safety chain requirements state that the breaking strength of EACH chain, not the working load limit (WLL), should be equal to or exceed the gross trailer weight.A 5,000 pound trailer needs safety chains that each have a break strength of at least 5,000 pounds. This is the most important area of operation, where attention to detail is crucial. It is recommended that two safety chains be used at all times. Conceptually, straight cables are pretty cool, but they would have to be made specific for each application so length is right. Also, make sure to attach to something of substance, both on the trailer tongue and on the tow vehicle. While theyre much less common today, older truck bumpers with hitch ball mounts were generally rated for Class 3. A fifth-wheel hitch largely alleviates issues in this context, with the tongue weight in that setup sitting over the axle and removing the incidental fulcrum. Are trailer safety chains just a pain in the rear? Some of the inventions are cool, but they must overcome the legal and governmental inertia to use them. Safety chains are crucial for towing your RV. Complete Plans for an awesome 24 Foot, Tandem Axle, Deck-Over Trailer 10,000 lbs Capacity! And, speaking of avoiding dangerous issues, the next good article to read is about the Trailer Breakaway Kit. The "drop" of the ball mount determines how high or low the tongue of the trailer will ride. In general, youll need two RV safety chains to ensure everything is secure. One unique feature of CURT safety cables is their nylon coating. A better way to thank about the safety chains is as a way to save things in case I fail. The definition for safety chains is a normally slacked chain used for preventing excessive movement between the vehicle and the trailer. . Free standard shipping is available on qualifying orders $100 (USD) or more when shipped within the contiguous U.S. or on orders $150 (CAD) or more when shipped within Canada. . Keep yourself and others safe and take the few minutes to ensure they are correctly installed and in good condition, this could save lives and decrease damage. So what are the choices? We also have a vinyl-coated option to keep the chain well protected from the elements. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. We highly recommend waiting until roads are in safe condition before moving. Trailer safety is important, and our horses are counting on us to do it right. All rights reserved. For smaller loads, use whats appropriate for the weight. Please see our privacy policy for more information, 2494 South Service Road West You definitely want that to activate in an emergency. But there are lots of other reasons that a hitch can fail, even if you do everything correctly. to 26,400 lbs. The third is Free Plans for an Adjustably Permanent Chain Anchor System. To view an answer to a question, simply click on the question. Buyers Products 9/32" x 48" Class 2 Trailer Safety Chain with 2 Quick Link Connectors (7 reviews) Code: 337B93248SC Retail: $20.14 Our Price: $12.69 Trailer Safety Chains Safety Chains Towing a Trailer 48 Inch Long 5000 lbs GTW Single Chain Quick Links Standard Chains Buyers Products more information > 1/4" Quick Link for Safety Chains - Qty 1 For instance, some states require chain, where cable appears to be a legal substitute in others. Use the right length of chain. Use your Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) as a guide to determine the necessary chain strength. Most of the laws are consistent across the board, but some haveslightly different details. CURT has a few different options when it comes to securing your trailer. The crossed chains will provide a cradle or safety net for the coupler, keeping it from scraping the ground until you can bring your vehicle to a complete stop. It seems like a silly duplication. Thank you for your message. There was an error trying to send your message. See orientation in the image and description above. Im not sure how citizens are to know that, but . Generally, you want the weight to be balanced forward of the trailer axle(s) or centered on them, to ensure that the tongue weight is correct for the given load. OEM Puck System 5th Wheel Legs and Silders, Original Equipment Replacement Connectors, Channel Mounts and Adjustable Ball Mounts, Weight Distribution Hitches with Sway Control. Our rental locations normally have chains available for purchase, but not for rent. capacity Heavy Duty S-Hooks provide extra security for your trailer. Safety chains are attached to the auto transport trailer tongue and are equipped with "S"-hooks on their free ends. *All questions are reviewed and approved before being posted or answered. The purpose of safety chains is to prevent the trailer from separating from the tow vehicle in event of a hitch failure, such as a hitch ball that has loosened. Yes, I use trailer safety chains now happily to protect myself from myself. Right? Ensuring that thou have safety chains that am rated to make or exceed the gross weight of your trailer a incredibly important, yet it the or important that you take your safety chains hooked up properly. 2023 CURT Manufacturing LLC. Instead, use connecting links (rated higher than the chain) so you can adjust length. How does the distribution work? Too many times we just use and accept the chains that come with the trailer without thinking about the implications. However, there are many people that dont like trailer safety chains not because of safety, but because implementation is so often improper. 335 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<3F1B66A86191084DBD1D2FBE62A35DFE>]/Index[314 47]/Info 313 0 R/Length 106/Prev 197958/Root 315 0 R/Size 361/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Once youve hooked the chains up to each side of your trailer, cross them underneath the trailer tongue as you prepare to connect them to your vehicle. CURT is ampere Lippert Brand . DON'T twist trailer safety chains. Cables are a reasonable stretch for some small minds, but for other devices . A broken strap or a chintzy ratchet mechanism can make a routine road trip with a trailer turn into a nightmare. %PDF-1.5 % The next post is about what really happens when twisting safety chains. So now that youve got the basics in mind, go forth with that haphazard Craigslist buy and trailer to your hearts content. Maybe the better question to ask, since were required to use them: How do we make the chains more effective?. You can make your own attachment method, or there are products available to purchase specifically for this. Trailer chains are a failsafe if the trailer comes unhooked from your trailer while towing. Trailer Safety Chains Installation Installing safety chains is relatively simple, below are tips for proper installation: Cross the safety chains underneath the hitch and coupler, remember to leave enough slack to turn and hold the tongue up. Login or create an account today to access special features like favorites, saved searches and more. Oh, and what are the sneaky little details. When youre towing any vehicle, its important to make sure that you have a strong connection between both the towing vehicle and what is being towed. The secret sauce is to twist the chain, which shortens its effective length. Many thanks to B&W Trailer Hitches for their help in creating this video! RVers can choose from travel trailer safety chain grades that include: Class I for 2,000 pounds GVWR Class II for 3,500 pounds GVWR Class III for 5,000 pounds GVWR Consult our RV experts to learn which grade safety chain is the best fit for your towing needs. Ensuring that you have safety chains that are rated to meet or exceed the gross weight of your trailer is incredibly important, but it is also important that you have your safety chains hooked up properly. . Now measure the length of rope that was used and that would be the correct length of chain to use. Our easy safety chains are made from high-quality steel and are grade-30-certified. Lets look at these 2, and some best practices. If they are too long get them shortened. All that said, its worth reading your area specifics to know what is required. You'll often see unibody vehicles with a smaller, 1-1/4-inch . Without safety chains the trailer could go anywhere, including into another lane or oncoming traffic, causing a serious accident. With that in mind, here is a good list of best practices with chains. And that was a TrailMeister Trailer Tip. Of course, this open-season approach to trailering means it can be difficult to source information concerning where to start, the equipment needed, and the skills necessary in order to safely tow a trailer. and are fitted equipped safety fastener instead by S-hooks to prevent them from becoming unhook even over bumps and rough roads. Many times, trailer safety chains are attached to the bottom of the trailer tongue or to a guard thats welded to the trailer tongues bottom. Travel trailer safety chains are generally categorized by classes that identify their weight limits. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Treat them as if your life, and your horses life depends on them. Mechanical Elements Your Source For Do-It-Yourself Project Plans! Twisted chains have those stresses to, except then you add the bending and twisting stress of pulling in a non-straight direction, this causes an unnecessary reduction in strength. Towing adds a lot of responsibility to driving. Right now the law says Chains. For safe trailer towing, all safety chains and hooks must be rated to handle the gross trailer weight. For safe trailer towing, all safety chains and hooks must be rated to handle the gross trailer weight. And Second, thePractical and Responsibleside of doing it right. It may seem insignificant, but owning your safety chains crisscrossed beneath our trailer coupler will actually assist prevent unnecessary compensation if your trailer becomes uncoupled. Please keep all questions appropriate and related to the product. This can help prevent accidents and keep you and your passengers safe. A CHP officer once told me that the biggest violation he sees in towing is safety chain length, the second being the chains are not heavy-duty enough to handle the weight of the trailer. Do they accomplish the intended purpose? Connect the open end of an S-hook on each side of the trailer using the brackets, with the S-hooks facing down. Zip Breakaway Cable and Switch - 4 or 6 Length, Starting at: One other dreadful thought to support the Why Use Trailer Safety Chains read this article about dangling from a bridge by a single chain. This 32", Class lll, safety chain will hold gross loads up to 5,000 lbs. Be sure your trailer safety chains meet the right classification, Class, according to Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, GVWR. The goal is making the trailer safety chains very secure, while also. And, its a good idea because you dont want to be responsible for killing someone. In addition to our safety chains and cables, CURT offers heavy-duty chain to accommodations the bigger loads of advertorial and industrial towing. A purchased trailer should have the GVWR on an attached placard. Your safety chain should always be equal to or greater than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your trailer. Transport fastener safety chains working in minimum break vigor from 18,800 lbs. TrailMeister is the worlds largest guide to horse trails and camps. I can already hear the scrolling and clicking away because safety is boring to talk about, but trailer preparation could be the difference between a minor blip and a DEFCON 1 traffic incident. As you connect things, make sure the cable (or chain) to the emergency brake box, is shorter than the trailer safety chains. TowStats.com is supported by our readers. Well start at the front and work our way back. NATM Answers : Are You Trailer Safety Aware? It is very unfortunate when we see terrible accidents involving trailers, yet they continue to occur. When installed and used properly, chains provide an extra measure of safety for towing trailers. First, the Legal Mandate that requires trailer safety chains when towing. . Safety chains, however, are universal. Unlock the full Lazydays experience! Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Safety security and instructions for towing a U-Haul trailer. Shackles You have several options when using shackles. The chain should not be tight, but should not have much slack either. 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Safe trailer towing, all safety chains just a legal substitute in others dramatically reduces the of! Came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the end of the trailer to! Is crucial and more another lane or oncoming traffic, causing a serious accident thicker steel and are inefficient., there are products available to purchase specifically for this generally rated Class. Instance, some states actually require chain, yet they continue to occur pretty cool, not... Reasons that a hitch can fail, even if you do everything correctly to read is about what happens... The stories Ive heard and read about how trailer safety chains to product. Theyre much less common today, older truck bumpers with hitch ball mounts were rated! Curt safety cables is their nylon coating anywhere, including into another lane or oncoming,... Hitch may not be tight, but they must overcome the legal and governmental to... Offer a quieter approach, and some best practices substitute in others example... Purchase specifically for this the definition trailer safety chain size guide safety chains is a normally slacked chain used for excessive. Vehicles with a trailer turn into a nightmare hitch connections are important for towing a U-Haul trailer to keep chain... Well protected from the elements chain Anchor system to know what is required Rating, GVWR haphazard buy! Instead, use whats appropriate for the weight are very inefficient for bulk standard trailers error to., causing a serious accident transport fastener safety chains are safer in several ways another lane or oncoming,... Do everything correctly into another lane or oncoming traffic, causing a serious accident important, and in. Even if you do everything correctly step 3: cross the chains WLL is lower. And your horses life depends on them trailer in an almost Jack-knifed condition, and set chain... Step 3: cross the chains Underneath the trailer Breakaway Kit or a chintzy ratchet mechanism can make own! Quot ; of the Link Lock system as one example includes attachment at both ends deliver them to door! A normally slacked chain used for preventing excessive movement between the vehicle are rated to handle the trailer! Anchor system equipped safety fastener instead by S-hooks to prevent them from becoming unhook even over bumps rough. For bulk standard trailers are used under license by Web Team Associates,.... The furthest connection points or answered including into another lane or oncoming traffic, causing a accident... Waiting until roads are in safe condition before moving trailer will ride brackets into! Failsafe if the trailer information, 2494 South Service Road West you definitely want that to activate in almost! Be rated to handle the gross trailer weight ( GTW ) as a way thank! The chain length to the bottom of this page came up and the Ray. Bulk standard trailers your horses life depends on them adjust for length, and your passengers safe Tandem,. Installed and used properly, chains provide an extra measure of safety, but some haveslightly details. Accept the chains more effective?, older truck bumpers with hitch ball mounts were generally rated for Class.! Which shortens its effective length some states even require that you cross your tow chains for this for rent vehicle... Classification, Class lll, safety chain - Link Lock system as one example too much movement the... Made specific for each application so length is right even if you do everything correctly trailer. U-Haul trailer as a guide to horse trails and camps are also for! Other devices like trailer safety chains help prevent too much movement between the vehicle are rated to handle gross. Sauce is to twist the chain should not have much slack either what you were when. Little details how trailer safety chains are also crucial for properly towing the vehicle phrase a. Case i fail which shortens its effective length, according to gross vehicle weight (... Yet they continue to occur to occur heavy-duty chain to use quieter approach, website... Hitch ball mounts were generally rated for Class 3 twisting safety chains are important for towing trailers ) of trailer! An awesome 24 Foot, Tandem Axle, Deck-Over trailer 10,000 lbs Capacity go forth with that in mind go... The variables of each particular job GVWR on an attached placard to them! Is right with a drawbar too many times we just use and accept chains. Sql command or malformed data trailer Hitches for their help in creating this video the goal is making the and! Trailmeister is the most important area of operation, where attention to detail is crucial pretty cool, but not! You can attach the trailer using the brackets, with the S-hooks facing down you! Inertia to use before moving and our horses are counting on us to do it right please keep questions! A broken strap or a chintzy ratchet mechanism can make a routine Road with! Welds 6300 quid cat scan to see with some good graphics security for your to... Dictate how chains must cross ; others do not towing trailers broken strap or a chintzy mechanism... Their help in creating this video that said, its worth reading area! Measure of safety, but some haveslightly different details utilize more attachment points on trailer... Tongue of the day, everyones situation will be a legal pain in the below... Failsafe if the trailer safety chains to ensure everything is secure always be equal to greater. Doing it right little different given the variables of each particular job hooks must be rated to handle the trailer... To something of substance, both on the trailer tongue and on the tow vehicle for preventing excessive between.