If I'm towing a tongue pull trailer, YES, I do cross the safety chains.
In the event that the trailer unhooks from the tow vehicle, the crossed chains will cradle the trailer tongue.
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2017 Cedar Creek 38CK Hathaway Edition
2015 Ford F-350 6.7 CC 4x4
B&W RVK3300
Full-timing since 5/2/2016. Roam Sweet Home.
FROG Int'l Rallies: 2012-2017
I cross mine as well...however not sure it helps a lot. A friend that recently started camping hooked up their trailer and was pulling out of the storage lot. Their hitch has a u-shaped end to it rather than a flat butt and the pin was through that and and not the hole in the hitch. Needless to say the hitch came out of the receiver and hit the pavement. Luckily they were barely moving out the gate and not out on the road yet! More embarrassing at that moment than anything for them.
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Tom
2004 Fleetwood Providence 38U
currently not towing a toad
I cross mine, but I didn't have a good reason why until I read some of these posts. If they are hooked and crossed, they should keep the tongue from digging in.
It's a scary thought that the chains would ever be needed.
Everyone pulling a bumper towed trailer should cross the chains. The reason is to catch the tongue, but not to stop it from dragging. It is to control the load when you hit the brakes. It should center the tonge and control the stop without lifting up the rear axle when the trailer digs under the tow vehicle and prevent sway of unhitched trailer. If the tongue drags consider shortening the safety chains. If the chains drag, well that would just be silly! I always see dragging chains on rentals.
I cross mine as well, but in the past I have seen camper that did not and I know in Maryland It's the law no matter what type of camper or trailer of any kind it must have safety chains and must be cross. I wonder if any one has been pulled over by the police for not doing this.
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