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05-08-2015, 10:01 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Elkton, MD
Posts: 280
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How does it help to have the chains catch the trailer if it comes loose? I'm not following what the advantage is. Is it somehow supposed to protect the trailer from damage?
It certainly not going to protect your TV from damage. I thought the theory behind the brake actuator was if the trailer got loose it would lock up the brakes on the trailer, if for no other reason to prevent the trailer from slamming into the back of the TV. Having the trailer come loose and fall into a cradle of safety chains won't activate the brakes will it?
With my WD hitch I have two other connections to the trailer, what happens to them when the trailer comes loose? Seems like a pretty catastrophic event and not sure how catching the trailer in the safety chains is going to make a difference.
__________________
Jack and Jan
Nights camped 2014 - 8 | Nights camped 2015 - 23 | Nights camped 2016 - 24
2015 Ford Super Duty F350 > Blue Ox Swaypro WD Hitch > 2015 Rockwood Windjammer 3008W
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05-08-2015, 10:02 PM
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#22
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfordroo
As I recall, it's 2 chains, bolted together at the tongue. I'm 200 miles from my Roo right now, so can't get a pic for a few days.
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If that's the case, just separate the chains and bolt one to each side of the tongue using similar or better hardware. Would be better anyway.
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05-09-2015, 10:53 AM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Quote:
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How does it help to have the chains catch the trailer if it comes loose? I'm not following what the advantage is. Is it somehow supposed to protect the trailer from damage?
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Keeps the tongue off the ground. You wouldn't want it to catch a high spot in the pavement and make your bad day even worse!
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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05-09-2015, 10:57 AM
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#24
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by strat56
...With my WD hitch I have two other connections to the trailer, what happens to them when the trailer comes loose? Seems like a pretty catastrophic event and not sure how catching the trailer in the safety chains is going to make a difference.
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If the trailer comes loose from the ball, your spring bars will, by design, force the tongue down to the pavement.
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05-09-2015, 05:33 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Newport News Va
Posts: 662
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I always crossed the chains while towing boat trailers, but for some reason I never thought about crossing them while towing my WiindJammer. I just figured if the trailer comes disconnected the wd bars should help along with locking the brakes. During my PDI they did not cross them when hooking up. I am not sure anything can save a 7000lb bullet from doing major damage. If all those systems fail its going to be a problem. At least that's what I think. But if crossing the chains can be done then why not, can't hurt.
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Chuck " still in Va "
2012 3065w Windjammer
2012 f250 lariat Crew cab power stroke (of course )
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05-09-2015, 05:48 PM
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#26
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Charles Firth, in most states, if it is not a law, it is a regulation/requirement or whatever you want to call it. Most state troopers will either ask you/warn you or if they're in a foul mood, ticket you. Your wdh bars will not keep the tongue off the pavement, in fact, they will try to force the tongue into the pavement and possibly let the tongue catch a hole, crack, etc.
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05-09-2015, 07:14 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Found this on-line:
http://www.expediter.com/natm%20pdf%...Laws-Table.pdf
17 states require the chains to prevent the tongue from hitting the pavement. What's interesting is that several specify equal length chains, which makes sense, but Wyoming says different length chains.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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05-09-2015, 07:21 PM
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#28
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfordroo
...but Wyoming says different length chains.
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Wyoming doesn't even require chains according to the publication, I think you meant Wisconsin.
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05-09-2015, 07:25 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Yes. Wisconsin.
(And that's where I bought my Roo with equal chains in a "V" !!!)
Re-reading it, it says "separate lengths" which I took to mean different lengths, but now I think it just means they can't be connected in any way.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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05-10-2015, 12:11 PM
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#30
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 30
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Just some pictures of why these chains seem unsafe. 
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05-10-2015, 12:15 PM
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#31
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bwcarp
Just some pictures of why these chains seem unsafe.
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And why is this unsafe? Looks pretty robust to me depending on the welding. I would prefer this to a type 1 or 5 self tapping bolt.
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05-10-2015, 06:15 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Newport News Va
Posts: 662
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Thanks guys, that is why I am on this site. I learn something new several times a week here. My chains are crossed forever.
__________________
Chuck " still in Va "
2012 3065w Windjammer
2012 f250 lariat Crew cab power stroke (of course )
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05-10-2015, 07:14 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Oswego, NY
Posts: 293
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Chains on my 2015 Rockwood 2604WS are connected at the same spot directly under the hitch coupler. No way to cross the chains below the tongue of the trailer. The chart published earlier in this thread is interesting in that Indiana does not require crossed chains or preventing the tongue from hitting the ground. Seems contrary to everything I've always been told about safe trailering.
__________________
2015 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 WS. Rear LR, large street side slide with small wardrobe slide in BR.
2014 Ram 1500 Eco Diesel Laramie Quad Cab.
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