Proper use of trailer chains
 

Trailer chains are used as a security factor should the hitch ball or hitch itself break or came loose. They won't do much good, if they're not big and stout. Welded chain is best.
The chains should be crossed several times to help them catch the trailer tongue before it can hit the ground. Leave just enough slack so that you can make a sharp turn without binding with the chains.
happy trailering and be safe!!

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

I have heard it said but not experienced it myself........and I quote......It is very tough to try to keep a boat under control if the trailer tongue gets under a safety chain......its scary enough the way it rides off the ball alone.......

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

I tow boats almost everyday! I always out of second nature cross the chains!!! Right to left and left to right is always good!!

THIS IS A GOOD THING!!!

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

Same here always cross them. I had an ocasion where I was using a Chevrolet silverado (pretty high truck) for towing a small 14' run about, some how ball pop out of place and only way I could tell I had a problem was because I could see boat swing a little back and forth. Again this was a pretty small boat, with heavier rigs you might loose some control, but it still is better than having trailer hit road and drag forward

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

Can't cross mine so I just make sure it is locked on the ball good.:D

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

The idea behind crossing the cains is that if the trailer does come off the ball it will be held up by the chains instead of hitting the ground.
Dont know about crossing them several times as egreen024 says.
He might of meant twist them till there at the right length?

I'm a Teamster, local 399 & towing trailers & such is my career. :)

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

Then you should know that when you twist a chain it weakens it greatly.never twist a chain.If its too long cut it off.;)

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

With your personal trailer you have that option, assuming you always use the same truck.
Being we pull many many many trailers that are not ours & we also use many many many different trucks to pull them with that's not an option & do what we must do.

& that's what I assumed he meant?
I don't imagine he's talking about having chains so long that you'd be able to cross them over many times over.....?

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

chains are usually much stronger than weight they made to hold, tongue weight is usually 7% of entire load. On my own trailers I twist the chains individually but crossing them several times does not weakens the strength of chain. Twisting chains on themselves is not the proper way, however it is the most practice way, crossing the two chains together actually gives more room for tongue to land on. On my boat unfortunately I can't to neither cause I have cables rather than chains, this will only keep trailer together with tow vehicle.:(

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

Cables for me too E-green.....I am going to add chains with the cables for the haul to the rock.....most of my boats over time I have an extra tie down beside the bow strap also.....I think Nightmare said in Jan. tip some of this stuff too.......ive seen them upside down on the side of the road early in the morn.....rusing to tourn in the fog or something.........grown men standing on the side of the road crying......no fun im sure.......plus the danger for the other motorists.......good stuff always e green

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

Good idea Kipp we want you and the boat to arrive in one piece. Hard to win the tx without the boat.

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

cables are easy but hard to cross, I like chains. Alot of the new boat trailers have the cables.
I do really like the telephone cord styly lite plug!!

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

HMMM...kipps meeting us here in Alabama....there's one way I can keep yall from winning...he's gonna be right there with us for a long ways.
:sign0151:

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

thats ok if you're so scarded you have to resort to that. I have the little bass boat at cedars reserved just in case and we'll beat you all out of that. Heck if worse comes to worse we can win out of one of those litte pedal boats. There's nothing that can stop this tsunami of angling awesomness!!!!!!!!

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

Angling tsunamis??? That's a good one Bons. Got a certain ring to it. E, this is a great article though. I looked at my chains after reading it, and I'm going to upgrade to something a lot heavier duty. Just don't like the looks of the chains they have on it. But yes, I always cross my chains when hooking them up. Creates a cradle for the tongue to fall into if it happens to come loose from the ball. My dad taught me that when I was 16.

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

It amazes me when I walk through the parking lot at launch ramps and see how many people dont cross their chains.

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

Yeah, it's surprising how many people don't even worry with safety chains. I see it all the time. I love it when the police pull them over and won't let them move until they figure out how to correct that problem.

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

The trailer I got with my boat only has one chain...
Kinda hard to cross a single short chain.

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

if you only have one, you better get a second one welded or bolted on side that is missing it.

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

Yeah that's on my list.

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

Also remember when installiey chains to install chains that are rated equal to or greater than twice the maximum gross trailer weight rating.;)

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

hahahahaha... SBG....good one.......If I see a bag of sugar in your truck im telling!!!!!!

Re: Proper use of trailer chains
 

I bought a single chain twice as long as the single chain that was on there & split it & now have my 2 chains.. :D