Remember, each safety chain assembly connecting your trailer to your vehicle must meet or exceed the gross trailer weight. Safety chains. . The links at the end of this blog are the provincial safety standards for trailers in each province. After a bit of research, it seems that every state that I looked at does require safety chains with trailers. If they are too long get them shortened. 0 Click to reveal to 26,400 lbs. The "drop" of the ball mount determines how high or low the tongue of the trailer will ride. Our easy safety chains are made from high-quality steel and are grade-30-certified. DONTallow chain to drag the ground. 360 0 obj <>stream Without safety chains attached, there is a serious risk of danger if your trailer becomes uncoupled from your. I cant tell you all the stories Ive heard and read about how trailer safety chains have saved the day. Its not unheard of for some folks to even carry spare trailer brake light kits, so the trailers electrical system can be repaired on the fly. If you find any, replace the chains immediately. Attaching safety chains the right way is easy to do: simply cross the chains underneath the coupler, one over the other, as you attach them to your vehicle. Crossing the chains helps you maintain control of the trailer. Up to 18,000 lbs total capacity. 103.123.112.6 Some of the inventions are cool, but they must overcome the legal and governmental inertia to use them. With options for length, these blueprints address the unique needs of a Tiny House Trailer. . Attaching the chains to the side of the tongue as far forward as possible is the best option because it reduces the chance that theyll be ground off if the coupler comes loose during transport. Includes 2 in. Towing Safety Chains Laws By State, Do I Need a Weight Distribution Hitch? 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. The chains should be crossed in an "X" fashion below the ball mount, with . Alpha Trax Overhead Lifting Close Chain Close Grade 120 Chain Grade 100 Chain Grade 80 Chain Grade 120 Hooks & Fittings Close Grade 120 Clevis Sling Hook with Latch Use it outdoors, then roll it right in. And once you put a few miles on the road, its worth stopping to double-check everything once your load and trailer have had a chance to settleespecially those straps securing a load. Thats an all too common practice that introduces some dangerous side effects. Here are some of the best practices that I think of when Im looking at trailer chains on my trailers. Youll often see unibody vehicles with a smaller, 1-1/4-inch receiver hitchClass 1 or Class 2because it (ideally) limits the weight of the load by using a hitch system that only fits smaller trailers. . When installed and used properly, chains provide an extra measure of safety for towing trailers. 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. We appreciate donations to keep it all running. I have a 27ft trailer that loaded welds 6300 quid cat scan. Trailer safety is important, and our horses are counting on us to do it right. The following survey should take you no longer than 60 seconds to complete. We are always looking to improve our service. A receiver hitch bolts to the chassis of the vehicle and uses a standardized size square slots that receive the necessary hitch mount. Low 8.5 x 30 or 32 top deck height. This can help prevent accidents and keep you and your passengers safe. 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. Or are trailer safety chains just a legal pain in the rear? However, there are several things we can do to minimize the potential. Trailer Safety Chains are for the emergency we hope never happens. and are fitted with safety latches instead of S-hooks to prevent them from becoming unhooked even over bumps and rough roads. For instance, some states require chain, where cable appears to be a legal substitute in others. CURT has a few different options when it comes to securing your trailer. All rights Reserved. Cables are a reasonable stretch for some small minds, but for other devices . Safety chains can make driving your RV much easier, and they also bring added security if the hitch lock were to fail. Maybe the better question to ask, since were required to use them: How do we make the chains more effective?. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Chain Size (in): 3/8 Inch. Other Hitch Systems Weight distributing or sway control devices ARE NOT USED for towing U-Haul trailers. Air-Cushioned Ride, 02 - uhaul.com (ALL) YAML - 04.13.2023 at 11.1 - from 1.439.1, Chat live with a moving supplies specialist, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Yes, you can actually get cited for safety chains. There are laws that say when a trailer must have brakes. Also known as towing chains, these safety chains are used as an extra connection between your towing vehicle and what youre towing. Making sure everything safely connects is the first part of that. Well walk through each step and detail them out to make it foolproof. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Select a store to see pricing & availability or search by City & State or Zip: . Your vehicles tow hitch may have brackets welded on to it. 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. For smaller loads, use whats appropriate for the weight. With these RV heating tips, its easy to enjoy winter RVing wherever your travels take you. 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. Stay safe, know your vehicles limits as well as your own (towing is more exhausting than an average cruise), and let us know if theres any particular aspect youd like us to dig into deeper for a future overview. The chain should not be tight, but should not have much slack either. First, thelawsthat require trailer safety chains. Still, if you use one, make sure of the rating and your load to avoid brewing a recipe for disaster. Use the right length of chain. With 2 chains, that's 14,000 lbs total. U-Haul International, Inc.'s trademarks and copyrights are used under license by Web Team Associates, Inc. And, on this topic, make sure the ratings of the safety chains are greater than the load. You can also visit our RV accessories store for more information on safety chain options. Right? It only takes a moment of distraction or absent mindedness to miss part of the connection process. With the placement typical of a bumper pull hitch, any movement of the trailer has leverage over the rear tires due to the distance between the hitch, while also affecting the weight on the front tires as the rears act as a fulcrum; as weight is applied behind the rear axle line, it eventually teeter-totters the weight ahead of it. Lets start with one of the trickiest components: the hitch. Please contact our accounts receivable department at 877-287-8634 or email [email protected]. furthermore upcoming in generous lengths of 14 to 25. Can unique feature of CURT safety cables is their nylon coating. Most of the laws are consistent across the board, but some haveslightly different details. Severely twisting the chains dramatically reduces the strength of the chains. And Second, the Practical and Responsible side of doing it right. Trailer Safety Chain Quick Facts! Manufacturers still all have to follow set standards and regulations that are set forth by federal and provincial guidelines. Some trailers will have brackets welded into the side of the tongue where you can attach the safety chains to the trailer. No matter how far her are planning to drive down the street or across the state using safety chains when you tow is smartest, safe and required by act. The trailer safety chains help prevent too much movement between the trailer and towing vehicle; they can serve as support . A broken strap or a chintzy ratchet mechanism can make a routine road trip with a trailer turn into a nightmare. 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. Making sure everything is safely connected is the first part of that. Fasten the chains to the vehicle Or one of these, Dont twist the chains to modify length. 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. Straps are also criticalworth spending money on from the get-go. Safety cables are a medium-duty safety option and are very effective for most standard trailers. Theres a wholenotha-can-o-worms of guidance for actually driving and maneuvering with a trailer in tow, but this 101 overview hopefully helps cover some common rookie mistakes. Trailer chains are a failsafe if the trailer comes unhooked from your trailer while towing. 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. So, its required by law. Learn more, Step 2: Connect Your Safety Chains To The Trailer, Step 3: Cross The Chains Underneath The Trailer Tongue, Step 4: Connect The Safety Chains To Your Tow Vehicle. Improving Trailer Safety Chain Connections. The 5s are typically built with thicker steel and utilize more attachment points on the frame to better distribute the load. 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 Safety chains are required for travel trailers. 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. All rights Reserved. Safety chains are metal box chains that are used as a part of your hitch system to provide added security when towing. Lets look at these 2, then some best practices. Here in the United States of Freedom, the options for trailering are restricted only by your skills; for the most part, drivers will never need a CDL (commercial drivers license) to haul around a car. Capacity of your gooseneck hitch These place the tongue weight of the trailer over the rear axle instead of behind it, increasing the towing capacity. %PDF-1.5 % In most places the law says the chain breaking strength must be equal to or exceed gross trailer weight. (And let me tell you, cops love to harp on details like malfunctioning trailer lights as cause for tickets, so getting everything ironed out ahead of time means youll be ready for these surprise inspections even when a haul comes up on short notice.) Learning good trailer construction by examining bad is a great way to focus on details. We equip each chain with sturdy S-hooks or latch hooks for reliable coupling to your vehicle. 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. Learn more about whether or not you need to stop at weigh stations when youre driving your RV throughout the United States. If youre looking for peace of mind when RVing, safety chains are key. Finally, cables as a substitute for chains are not allowed in all areas, so check your local laws. Once the trailer is hitched up, loading it is the next adventure. Theres a near-infinite number of trailer and load combos out there, so lets focus on more universal advice on securing loads. That is not just links of the chain. This 32", Class lll, safety chain will hold gross loads up to 5,000 lbs. toward 26,400 ibs. Technical cables are a medium-duty safety option and are very inefficient for bulk standard trailers. Conceptually, straight cables are pretty cool, but they would have to be made specific for each application so length is right. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Step 3: Cross The Chains Underneath The Trailer Tongue. It may seem insignificant, but having your safety chains crisscrossed underneath your trailer coupler will actually help prevent unnecessary damage if your trailer becomes uncoupled. Expert Reply: To measure for safety chains you will want to have the trailer hooked up to your tow vehicle with it just about jack knifed as this is the furthest the safety chains will be stretched. 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. Safety chains are crucial whenever youre towing an RV or a vehicle behind your RV. Safety chains should be long enough to provide enough slack so there is no tension on the chain while turning, but short enough so that there is no part of the safety chain dragging on the ground while towing. There are really 2 parts to this . That being said, there are 2 parts to this . . The chain should not be tight, but should not have much slack either. You can imagine worse consequences, and I can speak for a good friend of mine when I say that being hit by a runaway trailer while eating tacos is plenty unpleasant. 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. This image of cables is from Curt Manufacturing. For the trailer, GVWR is the total capacity, including the weight of the trailer itself. A purchased trailer should have the GVWR on an attached placard. Dont loop the chains back on each other or twist them to shorten slack use zip ties instead. To measure, attach the trailer in an "almost Jack-knifed" condition, and set the chain length to the furthest connection points. As for the hitch itself, there are several different locking mechanisms out there, all of which have a different operation while securing the trailer. Are trailer safety chains just a pain in the rear? At the very least, knowing what youre dealing with on the trailering front could prevent a serious accident. 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. This 32", Class lll, safety chain will hold gross loads up to 5,000 lbs. After some research, it appears the laws governing the details of trailers, including trailer safety chains, are regional (by State or Province), yet all (that I could find) require safety chains. You definitely want that to activate in an emergency. This is the most important area of operation, where attention to detail is crucial. The Vehicle standards bulletin 1: Building small trailers outlines the minimum requirements for safety chains, shackles and couplings. Believe it or not, this is a big problem. * This service is available in most areas on our most popular products. Too many times we just use and accept the chains that come with the trailer without thinking about the implications. This website is owned and operated by Web Team Associates, Inc. A U-Haul representative can advise you on the correct ball size and weight rating for your trailer. Cables dont adjust for length, and you cant fit them to be the right length. Articles are free, but of course, there are costs. %%EOF But there are lots of other reasons that a hitch can fail, even if you do everything correctly. Part Number: 52580. Safety Chain Requirements for RV Trailers State Equipment and Road Use Law Summaries NOTE: A safety chain is a flexible tension device usually connected between the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle and normally has sufficient strength to prevent separation of those vehicles if the primary coupling device fails. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7b9c40692a3cca8c Right now the law says Chains. Because you asked . So what are the choices? From a DIY perspective, this especially important: Trailer safety chains are only as strong as the weakest link. . Includes one chain with U-bolt, nuts and clip. 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