HEMIDAZE wrote: Interesting discussion. If I type in a quote that I say is fact like "all trailers must have 3 wheels" does not make it true. Somebody give me a link that states that camper trailer chains must be crossed. I don't think you will find one. Is it a good idea? Maybe, but not required.
PA Title 75 Sec 4905
PA Title 75 Sec 4905 Para D wrote: (d) Safety chains.--Whenever two vehicles are connected by a ball-and-socket type hitch, or pintle hook without a locking device, they shall also be connected by two safety chains of equal length, each safety chain having an ultimate strength at least equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicles. The safety chains shall be crossed and connected to the towed and towing vehicle and to the tow bar so as to prevent the tow bar from dropping to the ground in the event the tow bar fails or becomes disconnected. The safety chains shall have no more slack than is necessary to permit proper turning.
However, i too have the common connection point...
Scott B.
1986 Fleetwood Wilderness 23S
2004 Chevy Silverado 1500 - Cowboy Cadillac
How about this the NY law does not say crossed it says "they cross beneath the tongue" or meaning PASS beneath, to me. It clearly does not say that they must be crossed. They are there to prevent the tongue from hitting the pavement and if they are adjusted correctly crossed or not they will keep the tongue off the ground.
Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles states the following for towing:
ยง 4905. Safety requirements for towed vehicles.
(a) Connecting devices and distances.--When one vehicle is towing another, the connection shall
be of sufficient strength to pull all weight towed. The distance between the vehicles shall not exceed
15 feet except between any two vehicles transporting poles, pipes, machinery or other objects of a
structural nature such that they cannot readily be dismembered.
(b) Red flags and lights.--If the distance between the vehicles exceeds five feet, a red flag or
cloth not less than 12 inches square shall be displayed upon the connection centered between the
vehicles. During hours of darkness a red light shall be displayed at the same position in lieu of the flag
or cloth.
(c) Deflection of trailer wheels.--Every trailer shall be attached to the vehicle drawing it so as to
prevent the wheels of the trailer from deflecting more than six inches from the path of the drawing
vehicle's wheels.
(d) Safety chains.--Whenever two vehicles are connected by a ball-and-socket type hitch, or
pintle hook without a locking device, they shall also be connected by two safety chains of equal
length, each safety chain having an ultimate strength at least equal to the gross weight of the towed
vehicles. The safety chains shall be crossed and connected to the towed and towing vehicle and to the
tow bar so as to prevent the tow bar from dropping to the ground in the event the tow bar fails or
becomes disconnected. The safety chains shall have no more slack than is necessary to permit proper
turning.
Well, my rig came with NO chains at all. I cant find where they were installed (my first thought was maybe they had been pulled off) but there is no welded area or bar behind the coupler. After review of all this I figured some chains should be in order here. I grabbed the cuttin torch, made some link size holes in the frame 14" behind the ball center-line and welded a cut link on the inside of the frame to hold the chain from goin anywhere.
Much better feelin going down the road with those chains on.
Oh, and by the way, I always cross them.
1442 watts of solar on the roof. 600AH AGM battery bank. Prosine 2kw inverter. 6KVA diesel gen with auto start. 100% off grid since 6-1-03
34f Skyline
03 F250 5.4
If you can read this thank a teacher, and since it's in English, thank a soldier. Battery FAQ
While you are checking your State laws regarding safety chains, you might want to look for rules regarding where and how they are to be attached to the trailer. The rules might surprise you, and make you wonder how the manufacturers get away with the way they build them.
Then look for where and how they are to be connected to the towing vehicle.
Good luck.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
Bear with me. I'm just trying to understand all of this. I am just trying to grasp the fact that these crossed chains will hold up my tongue if disconnected. There is no way. My Jayco rides so low anyway that the minute the trailer is unhooked and the tongue drops, the length and position of the chains will let the tongue drop to the ground. That is after it takes the few inches of jack and rips it to shreds. It would be different if you could keep distance between the TV and trailer, but the trailer tongue will naturally come under the rear bumper because the driver will be braking. My chains connect under the vehicle, and when the tongue rides up under hitch such that the points of connection of the chains (on the trailer and the tow vehicle) are right over one another, the tongue will be digging a furrow in the asphalt. The only way to keep the tongue up would be to have chains 8 iches long - and that won't permit turning.
2009 North Trail 31BHD
2008 Ford F-150 King Ranch Supercrew
Equalizer & Prodigy
Me, the DW, and the Two Rugrats
Well, if I am reading these safety chain regs for PA right, they want two chains, each of which should be rated to support the entire weight of the towed vehicle. I looked at some chain available from the local Lowes, and was surprised at how big the chain had to be to rated for 6k. It looked larger than the chain that came with my Coachmen. And I remember that every component of a safety chain should be rated at least as high as the chain itself. The hooks that attach to my hitch are the modified 'S' type, with the spring retainers that I have seen on most trailers. I checked the 3/8 clevis hooks with spring retainer at lowes, rated for 5400, which is less that the potential 6300 max weight of my TT, and I don't think they would fit in the holes in the hitch you are supposed to connect the chains to. They are huge. Which makes me wonder, if any of the RV manufacturers come anywhere close to meeting the PA chain requirements?
That leads me to another question. Those holes in my hitch, a Valley 7k unit, where the chain is supposed to connect to. How does one know if they are rated for that kind of load?
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