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07-18-2015, 04:11 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2015 27' FB International
Montgomery
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 296
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Proper Use of Safety Chains
My chains appear to hang too low when routed under the coupler. I have started routing them over the head as indicated in the attached pictures. Is there a problem with connecting the chains in this manner?
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
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Retirement! Every day's a Saturday and Monday's no longer exist!
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07-18-2015, 04:18 PM
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#2
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2020 Classic 33
Box Elder
, South Dakota
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,731
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Pat why not either give them an extra twist or use a bungee cord to life up the sag? Looks like you might get some binding with them draped over the hitch.
Will be interested to see the rest of the comments. Put your flame retardant suit on
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Gary
2020 Classic 33 Twin, 2019 Ram 3500 Longhorn, ProPride
NØVPN
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07-18-2015, 04:19 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
K.C.
, Missouri
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 585
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I would run them "under" as in the first photo, and then simply shorten the chains to the correct length using the quick links you have there at the ends of the chains.
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07-18-2015, 04:25 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,982
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No, that is NOT a good solution to the problem. You need to shorten the chains. Are the quick links on the trailer rated for the weight of the trailer? If yes, then shorten the chains by moving them a few links. 2 or 3 oughta do it.
The chains are supposed to hold the tongue of the trailer up off the ground in case the hitch or ball fails. They way you have them over the hitch head, if the hitch fails, the head will dig into the road. Not a good thing.
Chris
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07-18-2015, 05:15 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
2023 25' Globetrotter
Manheim
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 201
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That doesn't look good. Also be careful making the chains too short. I twisted mine last time out a little too short and the were binding on tight turns.
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07-18-2015, 05:21 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
2015 27' FB International
Montgomery
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 296
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Thanks folks! And no flame retardant suit needed! Maybe a knock in the head would be better! I have been towing off and on for a number of years and never knew about the the quick links. Moving it three to four should be plenty. Thanks for taking it easy on me!
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
__________________
Retirement! Every day's a Saturday and Monday's no longer exist!
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07-18-2015, 06:42 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,349
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My chains are a little long. I just twist them to take up the slack.
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07-18-2015, 06:48 PM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member
Flagstaff
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 7
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I can't stand twisted chains. If they do get used, that increases the stress on the chains a lot. Granted, they probably won't get used and even if they do, they probably won't fail, but I'd still just shorten rather than twist.
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07-18-2015, 06:52 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,349
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I don't want to shorten them because the place I hook them is in a different spot on my different tow vehicles.
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07-18-2015, 06:54 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
K.C.
, Missouri
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 585
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CRH
I don't want to shorten them because the place I hook them is in a different spot on my different tow vehicles.
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Then use a proper rated quick links, and just let the extra links hang free when you need them shorter.
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07-18-2015, 10:08 PM
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#11
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2020 Classic 33
Box Elder
, South Dakota
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,731
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Pat just thinking while typing to get the correct length go to a parking lot, do a tight circle and then check length. That way you would have enough length not to bind while turning/backing.
But looking at your tongue length I'd hazard a guess that if you adjusted them to length for not binding that the head would still hit the ground due to the overall length needed due to the long shaft on the receiver.
And I'm going to take a look at mine again for the same reasons.
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Gary
2020 Classic 33 Twin, 2019 Ram 3500 Longhorn, ProPride
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07-18-2015, 10:49 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,406
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Our chains are "just" long enough to NOT BIND when turning. Still, they are near the ground,,, so, I hitch up then I have a bungee which I hook to chain and run over the hitch to the other side. I do that near the "midpoint" of the chains and it holds them at perfect length, keeping them above the roadway.
If I had multiple TVs I would have a simple "chain extension" which I leave on the " longer" reach TV
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Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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07-19-2015, 10:27 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2013 25' Flying Cloud
Wheaton
, Illinois
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 646
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How about multiple hooks to match the multiple tow vehicles, placed at different points in the chain?
When you need the shorter chain, double back and connect the end hook into the chain to keep from dangling.
Most likely not a solution if you have more than two tow vehicles, too many hooks.
Greg
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07-19-2015, 11:31 AM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
2001 25' Safari
Ridgefield
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 321
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We had the same problem with the safety chains being a little too long. I solved it by using a couple of zip-ties to take up some of the slack. Just loop a zip-tie through a link of the chain near where it attaches to the A-frame of the trailer and pull in just enough links to keep the chain from dragging on the ground (but not so many links that you can't make sharp turns). This shortens the chain and if there is ever an emergency that requires the chains to go into action, the zip-ties will simply snap and fall away leaving the full length of chain available for use.
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07-19-2015, 11:42 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2007 25' Classic
Hutto
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 86
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Everyone says that the chains should be crossed to catch the trailer tongue in case of a hitch failure.
While that makes sense, a more immediate reason is to prevent binding on turns. The inside chain at the TV is the outside chain on the TT and vice versa. You would need to have them very short indeed to cause much binding in all but the most severe turns if the chains are crossed properly.
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07-19-2015, 11:56 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2019 19' Flying Cloud
Renville
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 510
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I just got back from a trip pulling a U-Haul rental trailer. The chains were way to long, and the gent that hooked up to my truck ran the chains through my hitch and hooked into the chain itself. The were safety clips on the hooks to prevent them from unhooking.
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I currently camp in a 19’ Flying Cloud towed by a Nissan Frontier.
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07-19-2015, 12:16 PM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2014 27' FB International
Farmville
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno
No, that is NOT a good solution to the problem. You need to shorten the chains. Are the quick links on the trailer rated for the weight of the trailer? If yes, then shorten the chains by moving them a few links. 2 or 3 oughta do it.
The chains are supposed to hold the tongue of the trailer up off the ground in case the hitch or ball fails. They way you have them over the hitch head, if the hitch fails, the head will dig into the road. Not a good thing.
Chris
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There is no way the chains could ever hold the tongue off the ground. They just can never be that short. The chains are there to keep you trailer attached to your vehicle if the hitch fails. If your hitch fails, you are in for a rodeo and some damage, but you won't have that trailer careening off into space, other vehicles, or people.
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07-19-2015, 12:40 PM
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#18
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Off the ground....
......as in.
Your trailer has separated, break-away switch is working, trailer brakes getting full power, brakes locked-up, chains under tension & crossed under tongue helping to keep said tongue off the ground and pole-vaulting the trailer.
In theory, anyone willing to test it?
Bob
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07-19-2015, 12:52 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1976 31' Sovereign
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,017
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As far as crossing chains, most if not all states mandatory to cross chains underneath, not over top.
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07-19-2015, 02:42 PM
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#20
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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Warning about twisting chain.
Twisting of chains to shorten them will decrease the load capacity of a chain. This is a fact published by many chain manufacturers who warn against this practice. My Airstream which I bought new, came with quick links which I used to shorten the length of the chains.
I have a neighbor who is a tool and die engineer who warned me when he saw me hooking up one day. I thought it might be an old wives tale and did some searching at various chain manufacturer's web sites. They all contain warnings that twisting chain in order to shorten its length will result in deceased load capacity when the chain is subjected to a load.
Jack
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Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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