Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

Just an FYI and I totally forgot about it but, make sure you cross your chains on the trailer when towing if you don't already. Got pulled over on the way to the Dutch Classic 2 weekends ago by a State Cop that was hanging out at the Toll Gate. He asked us why they were not crossed and in NJ as far as we know it is not a law to have it done but, I guess in PA and other surrounding states it is. Long story short and $ 400.00 later our chains are now crossed. Just an FYI for anyone who has not done it yet to DO IT!!!

Rob

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

Trailering 101, no?

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

So Rob did you have the chains on just not crossed? $400.00 is a big fine!
Pat

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

Pat,

We had the chain on from the trailer to the motorhome but, didn't have them crossed and have been towing with the chains straight for 30+ years (To be honest, in NJ it doesn't say anything about it unless it's a new rule...checked the DOT book when we got home). Now PA maybe a totally different set of rules but, the cop was out to make his mark that day. I mean I'm just throwing the warning out to every other racer out there who maybe towing with the chains straight to cross them cause like Pat said and my Father's Wallet is saying "Ouch 400 Bucks is A LOT of money"

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

I thought this was common knowledge. Sorry for my flip reply above.

But, here's a question for you all, do you know why you want them crossed? It's so that if/when the trailer comes unhitched, the chains will cradle the tongue until you get it stopped. If they're straight, the tongue will hit the ground, stab in, and all heck breaks loose from there.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

Some of the chains I've seen on trailers could be pulled apart by an 80 year old man with arthritis.Also some of the chain mounts leave a lot to be desired.Skimp at your own risk.
here's my chains on an 18' enclosed.Granted it tops out at about 7K loaded.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...1945/004-2.jpg

I have to cross them a few times to keep them off the pavement when towing.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

Chains and hooks are cheap insurance. Get good grade chain of the right length, and good grab hooks. Cheap hardware chain and hooks made of bent round stock scare me. I prefer chain and hooks with weight capacities in line with trailer weight. It isn't that you are likely to suspend the trailer in the air by the chains, it is the shock load if the ball breaks loose.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

This is a very informative post. I raced for a long time and never heard about any of this...thanks guys.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

The sad thing is that due to a technicality the officer gave them a big fine. I could see if no chains were on the trailer but not to have them crossed might be his rule. Bob I would check with PA Dept Of Transportation before paying the fine. Being in the trucking business for many years you see allot of law interpretations by individuals. I was once told in Maryland by an officer that "If I won a trophy for my car then I would be considered a commercial operation" Try to find that in writing.
Rob due a search for PA Department of Transportation , on the site look up Laws and Regulations center,
If you need help with it call me.

Regards,
Pat

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

Well Rob, I did some checking for you and this is from PA Dept. of Transportation. Sorry, it's in writing.
Pat


(c) Breakaway systems.--Every combination operated on a highway, the towed vehicle of which is equipped with brakes or which has a gross weight in excess of 3,000 pounds, shall be so equipped that, upon breakaway of the towed vehicle, the towed vehicle shall be stopped and held automatically, and the towing vehicle shall be capable of being stopped and held by use of its own service braking system.

(d) Safety chains.--Whenever two vehicles are connected by a ball-and-socket type hitch, or pintle hook without a locking device, they shall also be connected by two safety chains of equal length, each safety chain having an ultimate strength at least equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicles. The safety chains shall be crossed and connected to the towed and towing vehicle and to the tow bar so as to prevent the tow bar from dropping to the ground in the event the tow bar fails or becomes disconnected. The safety chains shall have no more slack than is necessary to permit proper turning

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

The few trailers that I have towed in the past, I have crossed them but did not know why I did it. Now that I have my own trailer, it is nice to find out how to actually do things the right way.

A question about hooks. Do you run the hook into the hitch hole from the top or up from the bottom? So the open would be facing the truck or trailer? My hooks have wire like springs that cover the open surface of the hook, so I don't think they would bounce out, but nice to know if there is a correct way.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

When we bought our last trailer, I made the comment to the dealer that the chains looked a little small. The trailer is 36' long and 13'6" tall so it is pretty heavy. He told me that if the hitch breaks the last thing you want is to be attached to the trailer. The small chains will break so the trailer doesn't take you in the ditch with it. It made sense to me so we left the smaller chains on it. I guess that is what insurance is for. LOL

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

I guess you aways learn something new, I had never heard of this !!!
Does crossing the chains apply to a goose type hitch as well ??

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

This is just crazy! Would you rather be liable for whatever small damage to your tow vehicle is as you slow the trailer down, or for whatever carnage your out-of-control trailer wandering all over the highway is to all the other vehicles? And which alternative do you suppose will result to the least damage to your trailer and your race car? Connected to you, in whatever way, is the only real chance of a safe result.

Not only is their advice insane, it's illegal.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

No. The truck bed will support the tongue as you slow down, and the chains will keep it on the bed.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

That's an interesting question. I have a Fifth Wheel trailer, not a Goose neck and installed on it are 2 cables with hooks. I could never figure out how they would attach to a 5th wheel but they are probably standard for a Goose neck. I can't see how you would cross them. I think the crossing is to support the trailer from dropping in case of an breakaway.

Pat I.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

Not trying to change the subject , but aren't the small battery's hooked into the break system there for just that reason. When the cable breaks it automatically puts on the breaks.
Stopping the carnage that your out of control trailer might cause.......

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

I wonder how many people with bigger enclosed trailers have safety chains that meet the defined "each safety chain having an ultimate strength at least equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicles"? Take a look at chain ratings here: http://www.1st-chainsupply.com/WLLchart.htm
It looks like anyone with a bigger trailer needs two 5/8" chains to be legal!

On edit (I'll blame it on the cold medicine): Looks like ultimate strength is 4x WLL for Grade 70 chain, so 5/16" Grade 70 should suffice (I have 3/8" Gr 70 on mine now).

My trailer (16k GTWR) came with 1/4" chain held on with cold-shut links. Trying to pull the trailer over a hump in my driveway, the coupler broke loose. Fortunately the trailer didn't roll as it was hung up on the driveway, but the cold-shut links broke so easily I didn't even feel it in the truck. I discovered at that point that my breakaway switch was corroded and had quit working as well. From now on I check the breakaway switch monthly during racing season.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

If it works (battery not dead, switch still working - see below, etc.), and the brakes slow it down smoothly, and it doesn't wander all over the road while slowing down (or worse tip over), you get your trailer sitting in the middle of the freeway, with traffic coming up on it at freeway speed.

Or... you could drag the trailer, still hooked up to your tow vehicle and its brake controller, over to the side of the road, and stop it under some modicum of control.

Seems like a pretty clear choice.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

There are sad, and preventable, consequences to trailers being towed improperly, or illegally. A good friend and co-worker with my wife was on her way home from her shift as a nurse. It was a dark, wet, winter night and the highway was a mix of two lane changing to four lane sections. A small utility trailer (the type that have no lights and do not need to be registered) heavily loaded with firewood and being towed using an 1&7/8ths two-piece ball broke loose and crossed into the path of the nurse's car, killing her instantly.
Not long after that, an insurance investigator came by the dealership where I worked and asked if we sold that type of ball. Wasn't long before those were outlawed.

Don't skimp on this stuff.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

I still feel like I want to be seperated from the trailer. The trailer and the contents can be replaced. If it causes my tow vehicle to crash and kills me or my passengers we cannot be replaced. Chances are its going to continue it's forward momentum and end up the ditch anyway. Besides that, did you realize that 95% of the balls that people use to tow the large stackers are not rated for the weight they are towing. I would think that is a bigger issue than the chains. Let's stop it from coming loose in the first place.

Re: Trailer Warning - Cross those Chains
 

... and kill someone else along the way. As the previous poster noted.