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Old 07-20-2018, 08:16 PM   #1
mike20
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Default Crossing The Safety Chains

I was wondering if anyone here has an issue with crossing the safety chains. I have a 04 2719. They will attach straight, but crossing them makes the length too short to reach.
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Old 07-20-2018, 09:56 PM   #2
clan_salmons
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My 2008 3023 has cables, not chains. I have no problems with reach. I have added links before. If you go that route, buy good stainless steel ones that are load rated.

etrailer.com can fix you right up with new chains, cables or links.
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Old 07-21-2018, 06:43 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike20 View Post
I was wondering if anyone here has an issue with crossing the safety chains. I have a 04 2719. They will attach straight, but crossing them makes the length too short to reach.
In some places (in a short search, Texas comes up as an example), crossing the chains is required by law.

If you examine the geometry, it will become apparent that crossing the chains allows a tighter turn before they bind. If your chains are too short to reach the hooks when they are straight, then you will find that they bind rather quickly when you turn sharply (backing up,for example).

You need to lengthen your chains. Either buy longer chains (ensuring that they are not so long that they drag on the pavement when the rig is straight), or buy a splice kit, or switch to cables. I have cables, and I don't like them much, but they will do the job.

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Old 07-21-2018, 08:03 AM   #4
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In the '60's, I worked at a gas station and we rented U-haul trailers. Back then, U-haul claimed by crossing the chains the draw bar would be cradled in the chains should it come off the ball and not dig into the road. Don't know if that would actually happen and I don't want to find out .
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Old 07-21-2018, 08:25 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by eddugo View Post
In the '60's, I worked at a gas station and we rented U-haul trailers. Back then, U-haul claimed by crossing the chains the draw bar would be cradled in the chains should it come off the ball and not dig into the road. Don't know if that would actually happen and I don't want to find out .
That's the reason I've always heard for it and no I don't want to test it out either, not even sitting in the parking lot.
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Old 07-21-2018, 08:33 PM   #6
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It is law in New Hampshire as well. Although I am always surprised by the number of trailers I see without the chains crossed, or even NO chains!

As for the cradle, yes, that's what it is for, but the cradle is what limits the amount of sway in a trailer that has come detached - and the sway will be significant as the TV tries to stop. Digging into the pavement would be the least of your worries compared to the sway. Those videos you see of trailers flipping on the highway? Yeah, that sort of sway....
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Old 07-22-2018, 04:52 AM   #7
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HoMiPa; Thanks for that info. So are the springy cables allowed in NH and do you cross them?
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Old 07-22-2018, 05:33 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eddugo View Post
U-haul claimed by crossing the chains the draw bar would be cradled in the chains should it come off the ball and not dig into the road.
I always figured that digging into the pavement would be a good thing, since it would help to stop the trailer. Otherwise the detached trailer would run forward into the stopping tow vehicle, and the hitch coupler could spear the gas tank. Now there's something I really don't want to try!

I know - the breakaway switch is supposed to stop the trailer. But that works only if the trailer is completely detached, chains and all. We all know that in a panic situation, the tow vehicle can stop a lot more more quickly than the trailer.

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Old 07-22-2018, 09:17 AM   #9
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Didn’t Egon tell the other Ghostbusters that crossing the cables is BAD?
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Old 07-22-2018, 10:10 AM   #10
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I have heard it both ways. both with compelling arguments. Chains I crossed, cables I run straight.


U-Hual wraps the chains to take up the slack. I think it has to do with one chain fits all.
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