Safety chains on FR TT

[rmac04401]

Wondered if anyone else had issue with placement of chains on trailer with using an equalizer WDH or any other WDH? Spoke with the warranty department about the bad design and placement of chains. My chains get pinched and almost broken links. Have not turned any sharp turns. Warranty dept does not see problem with placement even with sending pics.

[RiderBloke]

Yes I did. At the FROG Rally I noticed both top links worn through and FR arranged for Lippert to replace them under warranty. The anchor point was moved also.
Lippert claimed its never happened before but I have been trying to warn any Grey Wolf 26RR owners esp if they have an Equalizer hitch.
Let FR know and get it fixed under warranty. The FR person I was directed to at the Rally was named Leo. You can use my case as support.


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[doc73]

Happened to ours as well. I cut off the chains and replaced with quick links (2500 hitch made the chains to short) but they still get pinched. Did seem like a terrible design, and if the hitch failed the chains would never "catch" the tongue. Chains should have been mounted out apart so they can actually be crossed to do their intended job..

Riderbloke, where they they move them too?

[OldCoot]

From the pictures, looks like they need to be moved back at least 3" and lengthened accordingly.

[SpringerPop]

Something I read in the Texas towing laws:

Safety chains can't be welded to the frame of the trailer. If interested, YOU can look it up.

Just a thought, here.

Pop

[RiderBloke]

Here they are. Seeing them made me get out the spray can after I took the photo.



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[OldCoot]

Sorry to say it Rider Bloke, but IMO, not a very good weld job. I would take it to a reputable welder and have it re-welded.

[youroo]

Looks like they Cut/Nipped the old CRS bar off and welded the remaining piece farther back! Youroo!!

[RiderBloke]

Yeah, that's a good idea. When you consider the purpose and the stress the mount gets it's less than stellar. Done by Lippert.
That's the problem with this design fault - how many of us lie under the tongue to see the top link?


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[RiderBloke]

I think they just got a new bar as the old one would have been much smaller when cut off. Lippert was a bit reluctant about doing this to start with but FR sent the work order in from the Rally and that was that.


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[rmac04401]

My FR contact said she never heard about any issues. She is sending my pics to manufacturer.

[rmac04401]

Originally Posted by SpringerPop

Something I read in the Texas towing laws:

Safety chains can't be welded to the frame of the trailer. If interested, YOU can look it up.

Just a thought, here.

Pop

If they are not welded to frame where are they placed?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by rmac04401

If they are not welded to frame where are they placed?

You can bolt them or put them on a steel loop like LCI did. You just are not suppose to weld a chain link itself.

[RiderBloke]

I'm sorry but I no longer have the papers from the fix at Lippert on Fri 14th Aug this year at their College Rd site at the end of the FROG Rally. It was authorized by a Forest River rep who looked at the chains and made out the order sheet. I'm sorry I can't find the paperwork and post it. It ticks me off when they seem to brush off such issues and fail to keep track. It's almost an issue for NHTSA I thought at the time. Let your rep know about mine and ask her to chase it up.
It's a small matter for a dealer to check out by hitching up one of their units to their truck with an equalizer installed and watch what happens. I told my dealer on return and suggested they check each unit when it comes in for service and I have repeated that since this forum's posts.
Keep at them - it's a safety issue.


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[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

You can bolt them or put them on a steel loop like LCI did. You just are not suppose to weld the a chain link itself.

Welding likely causes the welded link to lose it's tempered strength.

[rmac04401]

Ok miss understood statement

[rmac04401]

If anything I told the warrantee person to send me new chains and I would get them welded on.

[RiderBloke]

Based on the welding on mine probably a good move but FR warranty and liability issues may prevent them doing that. Just me thinking like a corporate lawyer.


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[gashog]

Originally Posted by rmac04401

Wondered if anyone else had issue with placement of chains on trailer with using an equalizer WDH or any other WDH? Spoke with the warranty department about the bad design and placement of chains. My chains get pinched and almost broken links. Have not turned any sharp turns. Warranty dept does not see problem with placement even with sending pics. Attachment 91642Attachment 91643

Question/Observation: Looks like your electric brake away cable is woven through your safety chain. Always heard that was a no no... Should go straight to your TV.

[rmac04401]

Yeah need to change that. Came that way haven't tAken time to change it. Good eye.