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Old 09-08-2012, 07:20 PM   #1
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Cross safety chains?

Are the two safety chains between the tt and the tv supposed to be crossed. I saw two new tt being delivered at the dealers and one driver had them crossed and one did not. What is correct/
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Old 09-08-2012, 07:47 PM   #2
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I cross them.
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Old 09-08-2012, 08:11 PM   #3
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Old 09-08-2012, 08:44 PM   #4
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Here in TX you are required to cross the safety chains. Each State has its own rules regarding crossed or not crossed.
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Old 09-08-2012, 09:11 PM   #5
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In PA it is the law.
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Old 09-08-2012, 09:26 PM   #6
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I was told its federal law that requires crossing.
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Old 09-08-2012, 09:40 PM   #7
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If they are crossed the tongue of the trailer is less likely to hit the road. If the tongue stays suspended you have more controll.
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Old 09-08-2012, 10:04 PM   #8
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I feel better crossing them, never had a problem.
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Old 09-09-2012, 01:33 AM   #9
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Crossing them, I was a uhaul dealer and we were trained to always gross the chains. This creates a cradle for the tongue to drop into in case the trailer ever disconnects from the tv like it happened to me once.
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Old 09-09-2012, 04:19 AM   #10
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As others have already stated...CROSSED. But I have noticed that many people have so much slack in the chains that the purpose of crossing them will have zero effect. They should only have enough slack so as not to bind when approaching a jackknife condition.

Just an additional note I have also seen many people have their break-away switch cable attached to one of the safety chains. This makes the break-away system almost useless. The cable should be attached to a part of the TV that is not part of the detachable portion of the hitch system.
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Old 09-09-2012, 08:23 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by tnchuck100 View Post
Just an additional note I have also seen many people have their break-away switch cable attached to one of the safety chains. This makes the break-away system almost useless. The cable should be attached to a part of the TV that is not part of the detachable portion of the hitch system.
What do you connect that break away cable to? I haven't found anything I can really connect it to other then on a ring next to the chain, which I know is wrong. ( even though the dealer told me to put it there) I have a GMC Seirra, any ideas are welcome.
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Old 09-09-2012, 08:29 AM   #12
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What do you connect that break away cable to?
I attach it through the same bracket that the chain hooks to. NOT the chain itself, but the loop that is part of the frame receiver which is permanently attached to the TV.
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Old 09-09-2012, 09:53 AM   #13
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On many trailers, the chains are attached at the same point, so crossing them really offers little benefit other than keeping some over-zealous cop on a bad day from writing you a ticket.
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Old 09-09-2012, 12:08 PM   #14
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I used a heavy duty carabeaner and attatched it at a point above and to the right of the holes for the safety chains. Crossing your chains gives that hitch a place to "sit" if the hitch does fall.
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Old 09-09-2012, 03:41 PM   #15
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I like the idea of the carabiner. It probably doesn't need to be that heavy duty, since the break away switch isn't that hard to pull on to get it to come out. I have a couple laying around I'll have to find one that fits. Good idea, thanks.
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Old 09-09-2012, 03:49 PM   #16
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This is where I attach my break-away cable......;



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Old 09-09-2012, 04:49 PM   #17
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Attached is an image of the hitch assembly as it was fitted to my TV by the dealer the day I took delivery. Note that the chains were not crossed. I asked about this arrangement and the tech advised it is best to attach the chains as they were. When I had time to review the hookup I could see if the hitch failed, it would drop down into the chains and be supported by the spring arms.

The break away cable is threaded through the links of the outside chain, back through the hookup on the TV and attached to itself with a quick link.

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Old 09-09-2012, 05:43 PM   #18
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I have our chains crossed, always have and always will have them crossed. In California they are required to be crossed, CHP told me so but I already had them crossed when he was talking to me in the rest area so I was ok.
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Old 09-10-2012, 10:30 AM   #19
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In PA it is the law.
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From the Pennsylvania Vehicle Codes for your reading enjoyment and education, or... for those who were unaware or don't believe there ever was such a law (in Pennsylvania):


§ 4905. Safety requirements for towed vehicles.

NOTE--- Items (a), (b), (c), (e) and (f) have been omitted.

(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.
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Old 09-10-2012, 08:44 PM   #20
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Its the law in California as well.
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