Wow! I didn't think there would be this much back and forth "sway" concerning safety chains! (oooh, bad joke, must not have had enough coffee yet...)
I think in Connecticut, you have to cross your safety chains. I will try to look that up real quick.
Hmmm, after doing my best to look up CT trailer regs, I found this:
======================================================================
"Sec. 14-1-6. Trailer to be attached by hitch***
Every trailer hitch or coupling used as a means of attaching a camp trailer to
the towing vehicle shall be properly and securely mounted and be structurally
adequate for the weight drawn. Every camp trailer shall be coupled to the frame
of the towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, chains, cables or equivalent device
which shall be of sufficient strength to control the trailer in event of failure of the
regular trailer hitch or coupling. Every camp trailer while being drawn upon the
public highways shall be so attached to the vehicle drawing same as to prevent the
wheels of such trailer from being deflected more than six inches from the path of
the towing vehicle’s wheels.
(Effective September 9, 1969.)"
=====================================================================
So, I guess it is not the "law" to cross chains in CT.
Also, I just want my safety chains to hold long enough to let me get to the side of the road. I always cross the chains basically just because I was told years ago that doing that provides a "basket" to hold up the hitch until you get to pull over to the side of the road. If the chains can't "hold up" the hitch, at least they will keep the trailer behind you.
* This post was
edited 08/11/08 07:39am by Tvov *
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2008 F-250 CrewCab 5.4L,
2004 21' Forest River Surveyor
I know it is law to have safety chains on but I have never seen the part that says they must be crossed. Maybe in Michigan it is written int he law but I have never seen it. I guess I will have to look for that.
________
2008 F 250 FX4 4WD, V10, 4.10 Tow Command
35' 2007 Crossroads Cruiser CT32SB
Wonderful Wife and 3 small kids
Campinfan go ask a state cop! Yes here in Mich. it is the law to have them crossed on ALL trailers. It isn't like there is a difference between TT and others. In a LOT of cases the crosing of chains can be of major importance if something disconnects the trailer (like an accident)keeping the trialer attacted to the tow vieicle and not runnuing down the road on its own.
2008 Silverado D/A,CC 4x4 ,3.73,IBC LTZ+
2008 322FKS Jayco
17.5 Nova Craft canoe (49 lbs.)
2 Trek 1500 mountain bikes
Honda EU2000i
It must be time to go, the suns out and I've got a full tank of diesel and an empty charge card!
There are sooo many laws and regulations, even the police usually don't know all the ins-and-outs of them. In CT, the DOT officers (who have full police arrest powers) have been greatly cracking down on trailers, due to a couple terrible accidents on Avon mountain involving heavy trucks. In talking with people who have been ticketed for truck and trailer violations, they talk about being ticketed for laws and regulations that they didn't know existed. Even brand new trailers and trucks are getting numerous fines and tickets. It seems to relate more to the mood of the DOT officer at the time of inspection...
I tried to find a later Sunnybrook Titan TT model pic, but on their site the Titan now appears to be a 5er.
Yep, they quit making the Titan TT models this year. Seems they didn't sell enough of them to make it worthwhile. I think most people would rather spend the amount of money that a Titan costs on a 5th wheel for fulltiming/extensive living and travel rather than on a travel trailer. Now, the only Titan models made are 5th wheels.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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My safety chains attach at a point 8" behind the coupler. Crossing the chains would then give the desired affect and protection whereas uncrossed chains would allow the tongue hit the pavement.
This is a VERY interesting discussion. I just had to go out in the rain, and check on how the chains were attached to my (new to me) '91 Coachmen. They are two separate chains, each is attached to the crossmember, just behind the jack, about 6" apart. I was always taught to cross the chains, but the reasoning I was given had to do with turns. I was taught (and it made sense to me at the time) that if the chains weren't crossed, and they were adjusted to keep the tongue from hitting the ground in case of a hitch failure, the outside chain would tend to stretch tight during a turn and restrict the degree of turn you could make. If you crossed the chains, they would have to be somewhat longer to still keep the tongue off the ground, but they wouldn't restrict your turn in any way. But, this argument would only make sense, if the chains were attached to different points on the tongue frame instead of the same point. On most boat and utility trailers, with a straight beam tongue, you can't gain much separation between the chain anchor points on the frame, so utilizing a common anchor point is common, but if the chains are mounted far enough behind the coupler, crossing them would still seem to work as far as cradling the tongue if a separation happened.
I really like this discussion, and I am going to do more research on this.
* This post was
edited 08/11/08 07:37pm by TechWrench *
The trailer manufacturers themselves may not have much to do with where the chains attach. Don't they merely buy prebuilt frames from suppliers? If so, it's probably easier to be more "universal" with a single attachment point at the front: Less likely to interfere with various jack mounts, spare tires, battery boxes, etc.
I still believe it is all about cost. A single chain and a single attachment point through the middle of the chain is the cheapest way to go. How many times have people complained how manufacturere are cutting corners. They're making frames lighter on heavier trailers. How many complaints have we seen about frame failures. Why wouldn't they cut corners on safety chains too. Not all states require 2 crossed chains. The manufacturer or whom ever built the frame doesn't give a hoot. Once it leaves the lot the customer gets the ticket if state law reqires 2 crossed chains. He's the one pulling the trailer. He's the one responsible and he's the one who pays the fine.
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