Something looks wrong here....
- Thread starter Bisch
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Mike270412
Golden Boy
Is that jammed in the breakaway?
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- #3
That is exactly that Mike...
neilsleder
Active VIP Member
Not to mention the twists in the chain!
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- #5
That is so the do t drag.
ferniesnow
I'm doo-ing it!
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Yes, if the chain is dragging, twist them to get them a little higher. That is what I was taught but that was just one man's opinion.
neilsleder
Active VIP Member
You ever take a rigging or crane course? Twists in the chain derates the strength lots. Chain is designed to pull with the links lined up, twist side load the chain bending the links and causes it to brake. That’s a piss poor way to shorten it, take the time to pull the hook off and move it a few links
neilsleder
Active VIP Member
That man was wrong lol
Dazzler
Active VIP Member
I have done the same for years, some think that the twist makes the chain more susceptible to break and no doubt it is likely giving it a weak link. I've been through countless dot inspections and have never had issue or mention of it.
In fact the one a-hole was so adamant that he was going give me a ticket for something, I was over 90 minutes in his inspection both, and I ended up with a fine for unsecured load. I had a piece of 2x4 x 12" long in the box of my one ton truck, no mention of the safety chains.
sc800
Active VIP Member
Looks like the ball on the reciever is installed wrong also?? Never seen it put on like that.
papajake
Active VIP Member
Instead of twisting the chains which is wrong just take a zip tie and take up the slack which will pass at the scales the ball can be used that way but reduces it’s carrying capacity to half
gunner3006
Active VIP Member
Was always taught to cross my chains. I’ve had an enclosed come off before. Doing 80. Believe the crossed chains saved a lot of damage. Zero damages to truck and trailer. A fair amount of luck to I’d say.
Cdnfireman
Active VIP Member
Why does the ball get reduced mounting it that way?
Lund
Active VIP Member
Because your now pulling on the weld and trying to pull the hitch away from the weld, essentially the weld is the weak point.
In the reverse position(up right) the way it was designed. The weight is now pushing into the weld.
Yes the hitch is much weaker in that position...but legal at half capacity.
Neilsleder is correct, a twisted chain is a weak chain.
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skegpro
Active VIP Member
Judging by the size of the frame on that trailer I would say that reciever is under sized.
Always amazes me how many guys pull a 4 place with a 5000lb reciever.
Most are bent already.
Always amazes me how many guys pull a 4 place with a 5000lb reciever.
Most are bent already.
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Cdnfireman
Active VIP Member
Sorry, you lost me. I’m assuming you’re talking about the drawbar that fits into the receiver hitch? The loading on the weld should be the same either way with a tension force on the top of the drawbar weld and a compressive force on the bottom. Not saying you’re wrong but I’ve never seen a hitch marked with a deration factor for turning it upside down.
LUCKY 7
Active VIP Member
i do that all the time with my own trailers and when I rent the trailers out at work do it there too
Lund
Active VIP Member
Yes i was talking about the draw bar hitch.
There are some that are design to work in both direction, some that are not.
Usually when you purchase them it say's so. Raise or lower so many inches, that would be reversible style. If it doesn't say, then its a one way draw bar..i would assume.
Caper11
Active VIP Member
Twisting the chain is a frowned upon practice, so is sticking a toothbrush where it doesn’t belong.
The chain should be the correct length, or the hitch setup is incorrect.
The chain should be the correct length, or the hitch setup is incorrect.
LBZ
Active VIP Member
In some places it’s actually the law to have your chains crossed. I know of a few states in fact.
As far as twisting I’ve done it but zip tying is a better option to shorten to keep them from dragging. Ideally though, you would be better off just shortening the chain because if they can drag their effectiveness as a cradle when crossed can be reduced.
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