Don't let this happen to you...

[Wolffarmer]

What I do is I hitch up. Do something else for just a minute of time and then before I get in the vehicle. I go back to the hitch area and double check every thing. I have found that I do better catching stupid little mistakes if I do something in between.

Randy

[KCStudly]

+1, Always double check everything. If you do not strictly adhere to a written check list, this is the best second practice.

(It's what me and mine do.)

Hook up, lift up on hitch and double check. Pin the hitch coupler catch, double check. Connect trailer wire, set running and hazard lights and do walk around, cross chains and secure jack (if necessary, secure jack handle with bungee strap).

Then at each pit stop, check hubs and tires for heat, check any tie down straps for security, and give everything a general eyeball.

S'what I do.

[darrellbeck]

No bolting. I don't like that method either. Welded, lots of weld in fact, just not to the chain.

Here's how I do it.


Note that the loops are welded to the corners of the box tube where they are less likely to rip out, and the inside corners are wrapped so as to help avoid the start of a tear.

And a beautiful bead it is. The problem is that by far the most people who are attaching their chains are AMATEUR welders and too many welds are cold, undercut, or have other problems that make them less than adequate. I am an experienced heavy equipment mechanic/welder. I would without a second thought (and have in the past) bet my life on my own welds. I just won't bet someone else's on them because I have been retired for 16 years, and I am far enough out of practice that I can only consider myself to be in the same group as the amateurs. Your welds are top-notch. Most peoples aren't. I am for the uniformity of bolted on chains, using the correct size and grade bolts.

Darrell

[Bill n Robi]

OKAY, so after reading this thread I went and did a real close inspection of my new tear (delivered last Friday, I don't have a TV yet) - I don't like the safety chains. It looks like a long chain was used, hooks added to each end and a middle link is attached to a loop on the TD frame.

I have had an empty U-Haul come loose on me so I am very aware of safety and the feeling of an unlatched trailer.

I am going to cut the chain, drill into the frame and have two chains, two attachments and cross link to my TV. My question is this: What type of bolts to buy to attach the chains? I know it has to be special for strength but not sure of the heat treat/shot peen/shear strength codes needed.

Does it make sense to add lock tite to the threads of the ball? Maybe blue or purple if I need to remove it later? Double nut it by getting a longer shank ball and another nut?

Thanks for a lot of good sensible info in this and other threads.

Bill

[Vedette]

Hi Bill
You are not going to tow with the Toyota Tacoma??
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi
PS
Welcome to You and Robi to the Tear Jerkers PNW Chapter!

[Bill n Robi]

Vedette,
This is my retirement, one 401k paid for the T@G and all the support stuff. I am tricking everything out and waiting for the UPS, FEDEX and postman to deliver the goods.
The Tacoma will be April 1st from another 401k, need to wait for the quarter to end to max it out.
So everything will be paid for, no bills, no worries.

We tent camped all over northern Calif and Oregon when we lived in the Bay area but did not 'see' everything, all we did was stop, set up, relax and go home. Now we will be exploring as we head out on this new adventure.

Bill and Robi

[rgambord]

One mistake that I see constantly is improper safety chain attachment. In fact, I have never seen a trailer with it done properly, except on my own. Those S-hooks on the end? You don't just set them on the hitch and call it good. You're supposed to loop them through the hitch and attach them back to the chain by sticking them through a link. They're used the same way as a grab hook in a rigging situation (in fact, many safety chains have grab hooks on them)



http://www.robinsons1874.com/rental/ren ... afety.html

[lrrowe]

Huh? This is saying I have doing it wrong for 27 years?

[MtnDon]

The idea being to have just enough slack to permit bind free turning at maximum angle, but leave a cradle to support the tongue if the trailer comes disconnected.

[lrrowe]

Yes, I knew that, but not to loop the chain. On my new CT, when I hook the chain it almost drags the ground and I believed I was going to have to shorten it. None of my previous trailers had chains that long.

[rgambord]

Yes, I knew that, but not to loop the chain. On my new CT, when I hook the chain it almost drags the ground and I believed I was going to have to shorten it. None of my previous trailers had chains that long.

So I think you owe me a beer for saving your life?

[lrrowe]

Ok, met me down at my local pub.

[Shadow Catcher]

I did not respond to this when it came out, however! I did not know that the coupler is adjustable via a big nut and if that is not adjusted this is what happens.

[rebapuck]

Ouch.

[backstrap bandit]

In louisiana it's the law to cross the chains and they will ticket u