Safety Chain Worn - How Did this Happen?

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by SSquared

My 2013 25FB has its chains attached to a single point under the center of the tongue. But the chains are attached side-by-side, so I can cross them, though crossing will not help much, compared to a setup like mrprez has.

Yes, the same for us. We purchased the 2013 AS EB in WA. When I asked about the chain mounting points being different than on our 2013FC and with no "ears" on which to store the hooks when disconnected, I was told that AS outsources the frames and that it depended upon just where the frame was manufactured - as to what we ended up with.

Although our 2015 has "storage ears", the chain connection under the tongue is but a single point again. So, although I do cross the safety chains, there is really no chain crossing "cradle" possible on the current configuration.

[dkottum]

Our Airstream has the single point attachment for the chains, the least of my concerns towing through any state.

It looks to me like it may allow a little less sway if the trailer unhooks.

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Our Airstream has the single point attachment for the chains, the least of my concerns towing through any state.

It looks to me like it may allow a little less sway if the trailer unhooks.

chains crossed under hitch prevents trailer from dropping to ground resulting in tearing off jack and other damage, plus less sway, also as I noted before some states require chains be crossed.

[jcanavera]

I remember the dealer twisted my chains because they were too long. My neighbor who is quite experienced with tooling and metals warned me that twisting was detrimental to the chains.

What I did was to move the clip hooks a few links down the chain. This effectively took care of the excess chain. I then tie wrapped the links that I had bypassed back onto chain behind the clip hook. This keeps the excess from dragging and has no detrimental effect on the movement of the chains. Easy to move that clip hook, and if you change tow vehicles and need more chain length, it's easy to move the clip hooks more towards the end of the chain.

Jack

[SteveSueMac]

Jack - what's a clip hook? Pics??


I use zip ties to take up slack on mine.

[Tincampers]

I think he is talking about the clevis hook.

[jcanavera]

I might be giving it the wrong name but the hook at the end of the chain that connects to the tow vehicle. You will notice that is easily removable and can be relocated further down the chain effectively making it shorter. Then it just a matter of securing the excess chain which I do with zip ties. I'd post a picture but my trailer is stored about 25 miles south of my home. I will take a picture when I pick it up in a couple of weeks.

Jack