Trailer Chains - To Cross of Not to Cross - That is the Question

On Saturday, May 3, 2014 7:14:14 PM UTC-4, JohnDeRosa wrote:

My mate was in the lead and told me later that in his rear view mirror the trailer was seen repeatedly going to the left and right of my truck - basically it kept trying to change lanes - and cars dodging my trailer to get out of the way.

Gotta tow my trailer next week, so this topic has got me thinking.

I buy that crossed chains are better, but it strikes me that crossed chains are not symmetrical and that the dismounted trailer will probably not track stable and straight (as John recounts).

I wonder if it might work better to join the left and right chains with a perpendicular link under the hitch to achieve symmetry? Picture an H-shape chain arrangement.

I think I will experiment and see how my trailer tows/drags on just the chains (slowly and in a parking lot).

son_of_flubber wrote, On 5/3/2014 8:18 PM:
On Saturday, May 3, 2014 7:14:14 PM UTC-4, JohnDeRosa wrote:

My mate was in the lead and told me later that in his rear view
mirror the trailer was seen repeatedly going to the left and right
of my truck - basically it kept trying to change lanes - and cars
dodging my trailer to get out of the way.

Gotta tow my trailer next week, so this topic has got me thinking.

I buy that crossed chains are better, but it strikes me that crossed
chains are not symmetrical and that the dismounted trailer will
probably not track stable and straight (as John recounts).

I wonder if it might work better to join the left and right chains
with a perpendicular link under the hitch to achieve symmetry?
Picture an H-shape chain arrangement.

I think I will experiment and see how my trailer tows/drags on just
the chains (slowly and in a parking lot).

I doubt that would make any difference. The huge problem is the trailer
is no longer connected to the ball, and it's the ball that constrains
the tongue so following directly behind the tow vehicle. With the tongue
free to move side to side and steer the trailer, the dynamics are very
different. My guess: cross the chains, and shorten them as much as possible.

Even better, also do this: every time you hook up, carefully check the
ball and it's attachment, check the coupler for proper functioning, and
connect the chains and lights. And then double-check.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm
http://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl

"son_of_flubber" wrote in message
...
On Saturday, May 3, 2014 7:14:14 PM UTC-4, JohnDeRosa wrote:

My mate was in the lead and told me later that in his rear view mirror
the trailer was seen repeatedly going to the left and right of my truck -
basically it kept trying to change lanes - and cars dodging my trailer to
get out of the way.

Gotta tow my trailer next week, so this topic has got me thinking.

I buy that crossed chains are better, but it strikes me that crossed
chains are not symmetrical and that the dismounted trailer will probably
not track stable and straight (as John recounts).

I wonder if it might work better to join the left and right chains with a
perpendicular link under the hitch to achieve symmetry? Picture an H-shape
chain arrangement.

I think I will experiment and see how my trailer tows/drags on just the
chains (slowly and in a parking lot).

You will find your right side chains tight as crap when making a left hand
turn.

Don't do it.

Crossing them is the ONLY way to go.
--
Jim in NC


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