[AT] Trailer safety chains?

[hank at millerfarm.com]

A lot of good replies...

The bottom line is they need to be long enough to reach the tow  
vehicle, but not so long that they drag on the ground.

They need to be long enough that when turning they to not stretch  
tight - this is half the reason for the crossed chains (the other half  
is a cradle to catch the tongue so it doesn't drag if the hitch falls  
off)   Most people attach the chains to one point on the bottom of the  
trailer right behind the tongue, and then this doesn't really matter.   
If you attach the chains to either side of the trailer there can be  
problems turning if the chains don't cross.   I can't explain this  
better without a picture.  (think of an exaggerated case where you  
attach from the side of the trailer to the side of the truck and think  
of what happens in a corner - this would be stupid to do, but it makes  
it easy to see the problems)

As others have pointed out, twisting the chains is not a good idea.   
If you have several tow vehicles with differing chain attachment  
points (I've never actually seen this, but it can happen), then get  
extension chains for each vehicle so you can use the right length of  
chain for each.  Make sure the hooks can be secure on your extension.

Quoting Herbert Metz <metz-h.b at mindspring.com>:

> The safety chains on our trailer need replaced.    Is there a  
> standard method of determing their installed length?    We recently  
> discussed that the chains need crossed (right trailer chain hooks to  
> left side of tow vehicle and vice-versa);  I should have mentioned  
> it at that time.
> Herb
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