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

On Friday, May 2, 2014 3:21:47 PM UTC-7, JohnDeRosa wrote:
I have been told that crossing your trailer safety chains is the right thing to do. Something about if the coupler comes off the ball, the trailer will be limited in its wayward travel. Sounds like something for Mythbusters to figure out. Yes or no, what say you?

I don't see how this discussion makes any sense unless it is stated where each end of each chain is attached.

Cobra trailers are delivered to USA with no chains. They only have the standard European emergency brake actuating cable. When I picked up my new glider from the port I took a length of chain. I attached each end of it to each of the bolts that secure the tongue to the trailer floor (redundant attachment to trailer). The front end of the loop is hooked up to one of the tow bar chain eyes with a screw gate link when towing (single point failure). The chain is routed over the top of the trailer jacking wheel attach bracket so it does not drag on the road.

My glider was received shortly after the rash of tow tongue failure reports in USA so I knew the chains had to be attached to the trailer body and not to the tongue itself.

The distance between the trailer axle and the chain attach points is so long on a glider trailer that I doubt it makes any difference to unhook stability exactly where they are attached or whether they are crossed. May be a different story for a short trailer.

Andy

I have exactly the same setup on my 2000 Cobra. What I do is route the chains coming from the eye-hooks on the trailer through the triangular skid on the bottom of the tow bar, then they go on to the hitch eyes. This crosses the chains, and shortens them enough that that don't drag on the road. As with yourself, I have no idea what will happen if the hitch comes off of the ball.

-John, Q3

On Sunday, May 4, 2014 10:12:16 AM UTC-4, Andy wrote:
I don't see how this discussion makes any sense unless it is stated where each end of each chain is attached.

Cobra trailers are delivered to USA with no chains. They only have the standard European emergency brake actuating cable. When I picked up my new glider from the port I took a length of chain. I attached each end of it to each of the bolts that secure the tongue to the trailer floor (redundant attachment to trailer). The front end of the loop is hooked up to one of the tow bar chain eyes with a screw gate link when towing (single point failure). The chain is routed over the top of the trailer jacking wheel attach bracket so it does not drag on the road.

My glider was received shortly after the rash of tow tongue failure reports in USA so I knew the chains had to be attached to the trailer body and not to the tongue itself.

The distance between the trailer axle and the chain attach points is so long on a glider trailer that I doubt it makes any difference to unhook stability exactly where they are attached or whether they are crossed. May be a different story for a short trailer.

Andy

On Sunday, May 4, 2014 10:12:16 AM UTC-4, Andy wrote:

I attached each end of (the chain) to each of the bolts that secure the tongue to the trailer floor (redundant attachment to trailer). The front end of the loop is hooked up to one of the tow bar chain eyes with a screw gate link when towing (single point failure). The chain is routed over the top of the trailer jacking wheel attach bracket so it does not drag on the road.
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The distance between the trailer axle and the chain attach points is so long on a glider trailer that I doubt it makes any difference to unhook stability exactly where they are attached or whether they are crossed.

Would it be sound to attach the chain to both the trailer floor AND to the front of the tongue? That way the chains might catch a detached tongue AND be redundant for a failed tongue. It might as well keep a completely detached tongue from becoming a hazard to the following traffic.

Here's a gob-smacking picture of non-tubular failed hitch (not my hitch) http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...r/IMG_1492.jpg

It amazes me that this most simple life-critical structural part would not have a bulletproof safety margin.

Andy wrote, On 5/4/2014 7:12 AM:
On Friday, May 2, 2014 3:21:47 PM UTC-7, JohnDeRosa wrote:
I have been told that crossing your trailer safety chains is the
right thing to do. Something about if the coupler comes off the
ball, the trailer will be limited in its wayward travel. Sounds
like something for Mythbusters to figure out. Yes or no, what say
you?

I don't see how this discussion makes any sense unless it is stated
where each end of each chain is attached.

Cobra trailers are delivered to USA with no chains. They only have
the standard European emergency brake actuating cable. When I picked
up my new glider from the port I took a length of chain. I attached
each end of it to each of the bolts that secure the tongue to the
trailer floor (redundant attachment to trailer). The front end of
the loop is hooked up to one of the tow bar chain eyes with a screw
gate link when towing (single point failure). The chain is routed
over the top of the trailer jacking wheel attach bracket so it does
not drag on the road.

My glider was received shortly after the rash of tow tongue failure
reports in USA so I knew the chains had to be attached to the trailer
body and not to the tongue itself.

The distance between the trailer axle and the chain attach points is
so long on a glider trailer that I doubt it makes any difference to
unhook stability exactly where they are attached or whether they are
crossed. May be a different story for a short trailer.

First, if you think you have a trailer with an inadequate tongue, I
think you should replace it with the correct tongue. Cobra, or perhaps a
dealer, that tell you what tongue your trailer should have. Replacing it
is not hard or expensive.

Second, with the chains connected only to the trailer body, a trailer
that disconnects from the hitch will be far less stable than if the
chains are connected near the coupler.

Third, even if you have the chains connected to the trailer body, you
can have also have the chains connected at the coupler.

There is bolt that holds the coupler to the tongue on my Cobra trailer.
I replaced with with a longer, high strength bolt that captures a chain
link from one chain on the left side, and a link from the other chain on
the right side. I used thick washers between the bolt head (and the bolt
nut on the other side) to help retain the link.

--
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

On Sunday, May 4, 2014 7:40:31 AM UTC-7, Eric Greenwell wrote:

First, if you think you have a trailer with an inadequate tongue, I

think you should replace it with the correct tongue. Cobra, or perhaps a

dealer, that tell you what tongue your trailer should have. Replacing it

is not hard or expensive.

***I don't think that. The Cobra tongues that failed were round tube. My trailer has the higher load rated square tube tongue.


Second, with the chains connected only to the trailer body, a trailer

that disconnects from the hitch will be far less stable than if the

chains are connected near the coupler.


****Show me the math. The difference in distance from the axle is insignificant. Ontario ministry of transportation says this about chains "Safety chains should be crossed under the tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the road should the primary hitch accidentally disconnect." - Nothing to do with trailer stability.

Third, even if you have the chains connected to the trailer body, you

can have also have the chains connected at the coupler.

Agree, but the only reason for going that is to reduce the amount the trailer will overrun the vehicle when stopping after a disconnect. It won't overrun if the trailer emergency brake activates.

That of course leads to a completely different discussion - Why do Americans insist on chains when the trailer designer did not intend them to be used?

What is done in other parts of the world? - Rely on automatic emergency trailer brake only, or use chains with or without the safety brake cable hooked up?

The following appears to apply in UK -

"Unbraked trailers must have a stout secondary coupling, such as a chain, which is connected securely to the towing vehicle when it is being towed. The secondary coupling must be tight enough to prevent the trailer's tow hitch from hitting the ground if the vehicle becomes uncoupled.

Braked trailers must be fitted with hydraulically damped coupling and auto reverse brakes to give braking efficiencies required by EEC Directive 71/320. All wheels must be braked. Braked trailers must be fitted with a breakaway cable. This must be attached to the towing vehicle in such a manner so that, should the trailer become detached, the breakaway cable will operate the trailer's brakes."


Andy

"Andy" wrote

That of course leads to a completely different discussion - Why do
Americans insist on chains when the trailer designer did not intend them
to be used?

Because it is the law in most states. Perhaps all of them.
--
Jim in NC


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On Sunday, May 4, 2014 7:40:31 AM UTC-7, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Andy wrote, On 5/4/2014 7:12 AM:

My configuration is to have both the trailer chain and the European brake cable attached, with the chain carrying slightly more slack than the cable. This way, should the trailer become disconnected from the hitch on the tow vehicle it will put on the trailer brake before the chain goes taught. I've only had one occasion to test this setup, when crossing railroad tracks. It worked exactly as intended, with the brake preventing the trailer tongue from spearing the towing vehicle.

I only connect a single chain, so nothing to cross, but I also leave the tongue wheel on (tightened), so I don't have the worry of the tongue hitting the pavement.

9B

Some states require 2 chains when towing, not one. Here is a summary of requirements by state. https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-hitch-signals/
I know of at least one instance out in, I believe, the Nevada "boonies" where the European brake cable activated the trailer brakes while towing and the driver was oblivious to this. A dual axle Cobra being towed by a truck if memory serves (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Anyway, it caused a fire..
Lastly, I used to tow with the tongue wheel on, but Noelle and others convinced me that it is best to remove it prior to travel. The wheel loosens up and spirals down to the ground. The rubber is quickly ground off and then it gets messy. They aren't cheap either. She has sold many replacement units..
Just something to consider.

Another tip worth mentioning is ALWAYS tow with a pin in the hitch lever locking hole. The hitch can open on a severe bump if not pinned. The pin can be a bolt and nut or a padlock for security.
The hole I am referring too is one of the two forward holes in this diagram.

http://www.forbesanddavies.co.nz/pro...ailer_cou.aspx