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06-13-2009, 03:59 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2007 19' Safari SE
Seal Beach
, California
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 220
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Chain crossing
I've seen it done both ways, but wanted to know what the correct method of crossing towing chains under the hitch is: around (in front) the torsion bars, or behind them?
-Jerry
__________________
"I have found through trial and error that I work best under duress. In fact, I work only under duress." -Ed Abbey
Jerry & Susan
2007 19' Bambi SE; 2018 Ford F-350 5.4L SuperCrew 4x4
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06-13-2009, 04:21 PM
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#2
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Safety chains are crossed under the WD bars.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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06-13-2009, 05:58 PM
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#3
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Vagabond
1973 31' Sovereign
1991 34' Excella
Fort Meade Md. RV park slot 8!!
, Motorsports Photographer
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 239
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The sole purpose of the chains. Is to catch and support the load of the trailer, if it gets disconnected from the tow vehicle. By crossing the chains or towing cables under the trailer coupler and attaching them to the tow vehicle with hooks, the safety cables act like a safety net in an emergency, catching the dislodged tongue.
I just know someone will ask, WHY??? So this Is your WHY!!!
DIMMER
__________________
Never has so few. Done so much, With so little, That now we can do anything, With absolutly NOTHING!!!! AIR# 300
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06-13-2009, 07:25 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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WHY???
I rig the chains inside the bars. It just looks right. I don't have a logical reason, but I've never seen them rigged outside the bars.
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06-13-2009, 09:33 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1984 31' Airstream310
Central
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,094
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DIMMER
The sole purpose of the chains. Is to catch and support the load of the trailer, if it gets disconnected from the tow vehicle. By crossing the chains or towing cables under the trailer coupler and attaching them to the tow vehicle with hooks, the safety cables act like a safety net in an emergency, catching the dislodged tongue.
I just know someone will ask, WHY??? So this Is your WHY!!!
DIMMER
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Yep. The chains serve two purposes: 1) to catch the tongue of a disconnected trailer and keep it from digging straight down into the asphalt at 65 mph and doing a Very Bad Thing to your tow rig, and 2) to keep a disconnected trailer from becoming a breakaway trailer and doing a Very Bad Thing to someone else's vehicle and itself. The chains must be crossed freely under the hitch and not run through the bars or over the hitch.
Also, do not twist your chains to shorten them. Cut them to the proper length. If you use different tow vehicles on the same trailer, use removable hooks and place them at the proper length.
Safe travels!
Susan
__________________
"Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how popular it remains?"
1984 310 Limited Motor Home "The Rockin' A"
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06-13-2009, 09:36 PM
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#6
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
WHY???
I rig the chains inside the bars. It just looks right. I don't have a logical reason, but I've never seen them rigged outside the bars.
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possibility of pinching the chains between the bars and the frame.
I put mine under the bars. not twisted and shortened with ty-wraps.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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06-13-2009, 10:13 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alumatube
Also, do not twist your chains to shorten them. Cut them to the proper length. If you use different tow vehicles on the same trailer, use removable hooks and place them at the proper length.
Safe travels! Susan
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Hi, my trailer came with the removable hooks and I moved them up two links. [no cutting or twisting necessary on my trailer] And yes, I do cross my chains.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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06-13-2009, 10:29 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
2005 25' Safari
Vintage Kin Owner
1998 19' "B" Van Airstream 190
Athens
, Georgia
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 176
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I do it the same .... crossing underneath and adjusting the chains length if needed .... hope I never have to find out if they really catch the tongue in a break away
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06-14-2009, 07:40 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thecatsandi
possibility of pinching the chains between the bars and the frame.
I put mine under the bars. not twisted and shortened with ty-wraps.
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Mine don't pinch. It must be the difference in frame height, my frame is only 4". I can see where the chains on a 5" frame might be likely to get pinched.
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06-14-2009, 08:30 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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Dad told me to always cross the chains under the tongue and hitch. At 14 years old I was in charge of hitching and unhitching our 26' trailer on the journey from Detroit and Los Angeles......on rte 66......in 1952. I still do as Dad says.
Neil
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Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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06-14-2009, 06:31 PM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
2007 19' Safari SE
Seal Beach
, California
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 220
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Removable hooks for towing chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alumatube
Also, do not twist your chains to shorten them. Cut them to the proper length. If you use different tow vehicles on the same trailer, use removable hooks and place them at the proper length.
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I haven't heard of removable hooks for shortening the chain. That's just what I could use! Does anyone have a photo and source?
-Jerry
__________________
"I have found through trial and error that I work best under duress. In fact, I work only under duress." -Ed Abbey
Jerry & Susan
2007 19' Bambi SE; 2018 Ford F-350 5.4L SuperCrew 4x4
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06-14-2009, 06:43 PM
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#12
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ESCAPE POD
I haven't heard of removable hooks for shortening the chain. That's just what I could use! Does anyone have a photo and source?
-Jerry
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Here's a picture. They are called Quick Links. At least, this is what I use...
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06-14-2009, 06:55 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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06-14-2009, 07:30 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2004 25' Classic
Prescott
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 623
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I did not like how bulky the Clevis hooks are. They would not hang freely with the receiver lock I have. So I found these:
Amazon.com: Curt Manufacturing J-83 17/32" S-Hook W/Wire Latch Gtw 7,600 Class 4 Zinc: Automotive
I did not like how the chain just slid in with nothing to keep it there so I drilled and tapped them. Also had to grind a little off the sides so the chains would go on these work very well.
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06-14-2009, 07:37 PM
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#15
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Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
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While playing with your hooks make sure they are sufficiently rated! I have managed to straighten out a few in my day!
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
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06-14-2009, 10:43 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richinny
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Hi, borrowed picture from this sight, same type as on my trailer.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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06-14-2009, 11:25 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
Trotwood
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,153
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I also have this type hook that Bob has posted. Mine has no pin.The PO did it correctly,not saying that the pin is not fine, but he used a chain repair link and welded it.My chains happen to be the correct length for my TV.
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Roger & MaryLou
___________________
F350 CREWCAB SW LONG BED
7.3 liter Power Stroke Diesel
1977 27ft OVERLANDER
KA8LMQ
AIR # 22336 TAC- OH-7
May your roads be straight and smooth and may you always have a tailwind!
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06-15-2009, 04:05 AM
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#18
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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I cross my chains and the X is right under the hitch. How would it be possible to go over, under, or through the bars? I am confused. Can some show me how that is possible?
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06-16-2009, 08:49 PM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
2007 19' Safari SE
Seal Beach
, California
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 220
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Finished product
Thanks, Overlander 63: I picked up a pair of quick links, and added them to the hooks and replaced the original cotter pins with removable pins. No more twisting chains to shorten them! And thanks for the advice from the rest of you streamers!
-Jerry
__________________
"I have found through trial and error that I work best under duress. In fact, I work only under duress." -Ed Abbey
Jerry & Susan
2007 19' Bambi SE; 2018 Ford F-350 5.4L SuperCrew 4x4
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06-27-2009, 12:18 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1999 27' Safari
Kent
, Ohio
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 806
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make sure you use the proper rated chain, and cuplers.
also the D.O.T. has ruled and reccomends "not" crossing chains.
I dont buy there reasoning, and I still do cross them, when pulling doubles, triples, or my camper or race car trailer.
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