When hooking to tow vehicle, do you cross the chains or not. Does it matter?. I remember doing this growing up on john boats, but I thought it was only because they were too long.
When hooking to tow vehicle, do you cross the chains or not. Does it matter?. I remember doing this growing up on john boats, but I thought it was only because they were too long.
I always cross them. Maybe they will catch the tongue if it comes unhitched before it hits the ground? I also have not had chains in a very long time. Most things come with cables today.
Lol true. I can see it catching the tongue.Originally Posted by n2ratfishin
In some states it's a law to cross them.
The "Crossing" of chains was to catch the tongue should it come off and not allow it to hit the ground. HOWEVER, make sure that it will not be shorter than the brake-away cable or it will not activate the brakes incase the trailer becomes disconnected.
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Every trailer I have towed I crossed the chains, except my bass boat trailer has the cables and I have never crossed them. I have no idea why I don't
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Never crossed the chains or cables in 50 years towing
Oh man. This is one of those questions where there isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer.
Which means around here you're gonna get a ton of "muh diddy always crossed the chains so I cross them too!"
When my daddy was alive they didn't put safety chains on trailers.
I do it because it works when done properly not to mention it is the law in Texas.
According to the DPS officer who pulled me over for no turn signal and issued a warning.
Funny you brought that up because maid me think about it. I believe if that if you cross cables once and then unhook them they stayed crossed because of the way they cross each other at the top if that makes sense.
My Mentor years ago had his trailer come off the ball (He got in a hurry) and the crossed chains caught it. In Texas it is the law, $350 fine if your caught.
I crossed my chains all the time for the reason stated above, if it comes off the trailer the chains will hold it off the road,but just recently changed to cables and they do not seem to cross effectively so don't know what to do
1990 374V Ranger Still kickin' bass after all these years
Mine are coiled cables and originate from the same location under the tongue of the trailer. I guess crossing them wouldn’t have much of an effect.
My chains are bolted to the same spot right behind the coupler, so crossing doesn't really matter so much.
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