National Association of Trailer Manufacturers Oops? RVers can choose from travel trailer safety chain grades that include: Class I for 2,000 pounds GVWR Class II for 3,500 pounds GVWR Class III for 5,000 pounds GVWR Consult our RV experts to learn which grade safety chain is the best fit for your towing needs. Shop Total Lippert Brands . Yes, if you are using a towable RV, you will need a safety chain. A broken strap or a chintzy ratchet mechanism can make a routine road trip with a trailer turn into a nightmare. I used to think that safety chains were only in case my hitch were to fail. Do they accomplish the intended purpose? Remember, each safety chain assembly connecting your trailer till your vehicle must get or exceed the gross trailer weight. Safety chains should be long enough to provide enough slack so there is no tension on the chain while turning, but short enough so that there is no part of the safety chain dragging on the ground while towing. Cross the chains when attaching left to right and right to left but dont twist them up. To view an answer to a question, simply click on the question. Hitch-ball sizes of 1-7/8 and 2 inches are acceptable with a U-Haul trailer coupler. Specifically, for chains to work properly, it is essential to use the right grade, and a size guide can help determine which one would work. hb```f`` B,@Q&969PR!|Bgv>D2G=5:Pt'L30E3aaZT)i?P);gq3.?t4@ 4 furthermore upcoming in generous lengths of 14 to 25. Includes 2 in. Copyright TrailMeister, 2022. Zip Breakaway Cable and Switch - 4 or 6 Length, Starting at: Trailer safety is important, and our horses are counting on us to do it right. Select a store to see pricing & availability or search by City & State or Zip: . 1970 Buick LeSabre Custom Convertible: Really Red, Which EVs do, and dont, qualify for the new tax credits, BMWs quickest EV ever is this 650-hp 7 Series, This pack of ponies spans the Mustangs illustrious history, How fast is the Corvette E-Ray? Shackles You have several options when using shackles. 2023 CURT Manufacturing LLC. Some dictate how chains must cross; others do not. You can make your own attachment method, or there are products available to purchase specifically for this. Believe it or not, this is a big problem. Walking-Beam style trailer suspension plans are engineered for mid-size trailers. If all else fails, you can hook the towing safety chains to your vehicle by using the bumper brackets. Please keep all questions appropriate and related to the product. Next, always keep chains from dragging on the ground while youre towing. Without safety chains the trailer could go anywhere, including into another lane or oncoming traffic, causing a serious accident. A receiver hitch bolts to the chassis of the vehicle and uses a standardized size square slots that receive the necessary hitch mount. forever. Transport fastener safety chains working in minimum break vigor from 18,800 lbs. Login or create an account today to access special features like favorites, saved searches and more. to handle a lot of stress. Also, dont attach safety chains to the bottom of the tongue where they will grind off if the trailer tongue is scraping the ground. Fully Engineered. Shorter chains are easier to keep under control in emergency situations and keeps impact down when the chain is tightened. Chain Size (in): 3/8 Inch. See the above section on, For the DIY builder, implement the chains, including attachments, as in the section on. The vehicle carries the receiver and the hitch mount (be it a ball, pintle, etc), while the trailer holds the coupler, safety chains, and electrical connections. Trailer Safety Chains Safety Chains Towing a Trailer 42 Inch Long 26400 lbs GTW Single Chain Clevis Hooks Standard Chains Draw-Tite Required in most states, a safety chain acts as a backup if your trailer becomes disconnected from your tow vehicle. Part #: 34141 Line: REE. It features heavy-duty welded links for added strength. Yes, you can actually get cited for safety chains. 5-8 inches above the ground should suffice. So for example, if youre using a Class 2 hitch that has a max GTW of 3,000 lbs, youll need your safety chains to be rated for at least 3,000 lbs. Concentrating the weight behind the axle(s) is how you get a tail-wags-the-dog situation. Measure up from the ground to the bottom of the coupler on the trailer. Cross the chains when hooking up but dont twist them. If youre hauling a car, its worth spending tens of extra dollars to get the proper straps than to cheap out on some hardware or discount-store finds. Travel trailer safety chains are generally categorized by classes that identify their weight limits. You can also visit our RV accessories store for more information on safety chain options. For safe trailer towing, all safety chains and hooks must be rated to handle the gross trailer weight. Some minor, incidental twisting is alright, but the links should never fold over each other as the pictures below show. It includes attachment at both ends. Learn more about how to use RV safety chains, tips, and more on our blog. Follow the Best Practices for Trailer Safety Chains in the section below. Are the articles helpful? That is wrong. No matter how far you are planning to drive down the street or across the state using safety chains when you tow is smart, safe and required by law. CURT safety cables come in weight output ranging from 3,500 lbs. Many times I see the last link of a chain welded to the trailer frame. Safety chains are crucial whenever youre towing an RV or a vehicle behind your RV. Safety chains are required for travel trailers. (Control, because the crossover reduces the range of freedom for the trailer tongue.). Some trailers will have brackets welded into the side of the tongue where you can attach the safety chains to the trailer. Trailer safety chains as defined in SAE standard J684 of June, 1990 for trailer couplings, hitches and safety chains - automotive type: Safety Chain is defined as an assembly which provides a secondary means of connection between the rear of the towing vehicle and the front of the trailer (or towed vehicle); it includes link chain and all attaching means, or an alternative system. Many thanks to B&W Trailer Hitches for their help in creating this video! We moreover have a vinyl-coated option to keep the chain well protected from the elements. Attaching safety chains the law way a easy go do: simpler crosswise the chains underneath the couplings, one over the other, when you attach she to the vehicle. The chain should not be tight, but should not have much slack either. . - 40 in. Please Note : There are 2 strength numbers for chain. The chain should not be tight, but should not have much slack either. to 7,500 lbs. If youre looking for peace of mind when RVing, safety chains are key. If your chains have hooks, make sure there is no way to bounce, rattle, shake, or otherwise come loose. 0 Learning good trailer construction by examining bad is a great way to focus on details. So you should always use safety chains at the very least to keep yourself out of trouble and avoid a ticket. Safety Chain Requirements for RV Trailers State Equipment and Road Use Law Summaries NOTE: A safety chain is a flexible tension device usually connected between the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle and normally has sufficient strength to prevent separation of those vehicles if the primary coupling device fails. Now that youve chosen the right safety chain for your RV towing needs, its time to install it. Free standard shipping is available on qualifying orders $100 (USD) or more when shipped within the contiguous U.S. or on orders $150 (CAD) or more when shipped within Canada. They offer a quieter approach, and they can be much stronger for the size and weight. You should inspect the chains before and after each towing session to ensure that there are no defects in the towing safety chain. Classes 3, 4, and 5 utilize the familiar 2-inch receiver hitch found under most pickups. The secret sauce is to twist the chain, which shortens its effective length. While they may not be as strong as alloy chains, G30 chains are the least expensive option for your light construction or agricultural job. 2023 CURT Manufacturing LLC. Severely twisting the chains dramatically reduces the strength of the chains. It features heavy-duty welded links for added strength. Use the right equipment. If you find any, replace the chains immediately. All CURT safety cables come in 42 lengths. chains with s-hooks Durable steel construction 5000 lbs. Learn more about whether or not you need to stop at weigh stations when youre driving your RV throughout the United States. Swift Current, Saskatchewan . Check into your states rules to know whats required. Expert Reply: To measure for safety chains you will want to have the trailer hooked up to your tow vehicle with it just about jack knifed as this is the furthest the safety chains will be stretched. Trailer Safety Chains Installation Installing safety chains is relatively simple, below are tips for proper installation: Cross the safety chains underneath the hitch and coupler, remember to leave enough slack to turn and hold the tongue up. Cables are a reasonable stretch for some small minds, but for other devices . An alternative to traditional securing chains is CURT safety cables. Safety chains. Stay up-to-date on all things Lazydays RV with access to the latest sales, promotion details, sweepstakes, and more offers you won't want to miss. Most vehicles use a receiver-type hitch, as opposed to a fifth-wheel or bumper-mounted hitch, though most everything were discussing will translate. One trailer item that Ive seen often overlooked are the Trailer Safety Chains on your trailer. If I fail to connect the hitch properly, or if I fail to seat the ball, or if I fail to connect or tighten something, then the chains are there to compensate for my screw-up. And that was a TrailMeister Trailer Tip. Other Hitch Systems Weight distributing or sway control devices ARE NOT USED for towing U-Haul trailers. Attaching the chains to the side of the tongue as far forward as possible is the best option because it reduces the chance that theyll be ground off if the coupler comes loose during transport. To measure, attach the trailer in an almost Jack-knifed condition, and set the chain length to the furthest connection points. Ancra International 20 Foot Chain And Hook Assembly - 45881-10-20 . However, Ive come to realize the safety chains are not there in case the hitch fails, they exist in case I fail. ), Where To Attach Safety Chains On A Trailer, Key Tips On Choosing Safety Chains For Trailers, Is It a Law to Cross Safety Chains? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. CURT safety chains are available in 27", 35" and 48" lengths and have a minimum break force ranging from 2,000 to 24,000 lbs. . Please try again later. To keep it as simple as possible, safety chain requirements state that the breaking strength of EACH chain, not the working load limit (WLL), should be equal to or exceed the gross trailer weight.A 5,000 pound trailer needs safety chains that each have a break strength of at least 5,000 pounds. What are the advantages of Overslung OR Underslung trailer springs? . So now that youve got the basics in mind, go forth with that haphazard Craigslist buy and trailer to your hearts content. Safety chains come in multiple classes, see the chart below, it is vital that the chains exceed your GTW (Gross Trailer Weight), the weight of the loaded trailer. Safety chains, however, are universal. Self-coiling vinyl coated Hitch Cables use durable galvanized aircraft cable construction. Oh, and what are the sneaky little details. Choose proper components. These chains add an extra point of connection between the towing and towed vehicles, allowing for safer handling on the road and an extra connection should the hitch coupler fail for any reason. Shorter (within reason) chains are safer in several ways. Americans enjoy nearly total freedom in their choice of trailer (with rare exceptions for states like California, which does regulate routes for large recreational vehicles), and that freedom comes at the price of self-enforced safety precautions. Just as important as making sure the engine is running smoothly and the generator is proving enough power, cleaning your RV is a crucial part of pre-season travel preparations. http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/2182.htm, http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/vehicle_inspections/PDF/MV3230.pdf, https://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/PDFs/TrailerSafety.pdf, http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/pssp/pdf/drivers_vehicles/driverhandbook/DH_part3_e.pdf, http://www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/regulations/rc961007.htm, https://www.novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/mv8673.htm, http://www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/Professional_Drivers_Handbook.pdf, http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section5.4.6.shtml, http://www.gov.pe.ca/highwaysafety/index.php3?number=45873&lang=E, https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/modestransportation/automobile/moving-trailers-and-loads/trailer/, https://www.sgi.sk.ca/businesses/commercialcarriers/safetycodes/, http://www.healthandsafety.gov.yk.ca/our-health-safety-system/safe-work-practices-and-safe-job-procedures/towing-andtrailering. Largely dependent upon the vehicles GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) and towing capacities, the universal five-class hitch rating system matches the hitch type to the trailers size and weight. Also, never weld the chains to your trailer tongue, as this will weaken the chain and defeat their purpose. I having take the online annotation still I am CURT heavy-duty safety chains are equips with clevis grab hooks to give them a better grip on bulky charge such as construction equipment, buildings our and high-powered machinery. All that said, its worth reading your area specifics to know what is required. Thats right. Get those together, and well move on to the next step. Towing adds a lot of responsibility to driving. The article shows many ways both good and bad. Finally, cables as a substitute for chains are not allowed in all areas, so check your local laws. So check your local laws visit our RV accessories store for more information on safety chain..! 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