safety chains on trailers

[Mr Whiskey]

I'm with ya Willow, I really am! If the d*** thing comes unhooked I really want away from it as fast as possible, but after our accident where something (bike & rider) came across the centerline on us I caint justify the risk (no matter how small) of doing the same to someone else. I hope if we ever find ourselves in this situation (God please forbid) that my setup at least allows me to keep it all on my side of the road. I'm very blessed to be here to tell ya, takin' it right in the teeth, SUX!

[Varmintmist]

I don't pull a trailer behind my motorcycle so there are obviously some things about that which I simply do not understand.

This discussion brings a question to my mind.  The odds of someone being injured should a motorcycle trailer come loose going down the road have to be relatively small.   On the other hand, an accident resulting from a trailer coming loose and jerking about on a safety chain behind a motorcycle is a veritable guarantee.

So how is it that someone thinks the responsible or right thing to do is hang safety chains on a trailer behind a motorcycle?   

Simple, you CHOOSE to haul a trailer on a vehicle that states it is not designed for hauling. The soccer mom going the other way shouldnt have to pay for your choice. The chains are NOT to protect you, your truck, or your motorcycle. They are to protect other people on the road. You think that a motorcycle trailer bouncing across 4 lanes of traffic is pretty safe and the person who chose to haul it is not responsible. Well, there ya go.

If you chains cant catch your trailer before it hits your back wheel, fix them. You hitch is to close or your chains are to long. In EVERY application, chains should be tight enough to catch the trailer from hitting the ground, If they are correct, they shouldnt hit your tire. If they are a little long, twist them a turn and try again. Crossed chains give you more control when it comes off.
If you are afraid of what might happen, then don't haul a trailer.

[Patrick]

Crossed chains are checked for in this state.

I have to wonder if a motorbike pulling a trailer [ chained or not] would be covered by insurance. I guess I haven't read my policy, but, I don't have to worry about that problem.


Years ago I lost a trailer due to stupidity. I was in a hurry and didn't check the coupler like I should have. I always check that, but, apparently not that time. Nor did I have the chains hooked up. Well things were fine for several miles and then I felt trailer take off on its own little excursion. It decided to take its sweet time about crossing over into the oncoming lane. I just stayed in front of the trailer and started flashing my lights at the oncoming vehicle. At least there was plenty of time and room to maneuver and let the other vehicle know something wasn't quite right. The trailer went off the road and I followed it onto the shoulder with enough time and room for the other vehicle to continue on as he was. Luck was sure with me that day, things could have ended up quite a bit differently. I had to grab the tow truck to get it back on the road and managed to do all that before the law drove by.

[Mr Whiskey]

Hey Varmintmist, you said "If you chains cant catch your trailer before it hits your back wheel, fix them."
I'd like some pic's of this set up if you could please. Maybe I'm doin' something wrong but I've never been able to set 'em up so the tongue will stay outta the back tire on jus' the chains. The distance from chains at hitch to trailer is always more that from tire to chains at hitch. Under braking, on only the chains, the trailer swings forward into the tire.
If you can show me how to prevent this I would be sincerely grateful, thanks.

[Gryphon Rider]

I think the only thing that would prevent a disconnected but chained trailer from getting into the tire would be a heavy gauge fender extension that goes down below where the tongue is supported by the chains.  In fact, a simple look at the geometry would show that the chains would pull the tongue forward towards the tire.

I think that if you are creative enough, you shouldn't need a trailer anyway.

[R J]

Hey, that is pretty good.

Hit a river, turn the bike upside down and paddle across, then stand it back up with the bike on the bottom and go......

[Willow]

Hey, that is pretty good.

Hit a river, turn the bike upside down and paddle across, then stand it back up with the bike on the bottom and go......

   R J, to quote a famous movie character, you're going to need a bigger boat.   

[R J]

Hey, that is pretty good.

Hit a river, turn the bike upside down and paddle across, then stand it back up with the bike on the bottom and go......

   R J, to quote a famous movie character, you're going to need a bigger boat.   

You are probably correct old wise one.      LOL.      Get back to work and quit surfingall day.     Leave that for us retirees.

[Willow]

You are probably correct old wise one.      LOL.      Get back to work and quit surfingall day.     Leave that for us retirees.

LOL.  Nothing wise in this one.  I am starting to feel the strong urge to join you retirees.  I only wish I had thought to earn it earlier.   

[Jess Tolbirt]

Hey, that is pretty good.

Hit a river, turn the bike upside down and paddle across, then stand it back up with the bike on the bottom and go......

simple, just do one of them stoppies at the waters edge and then when you hit the other side the boat will hit ground and flip right back onto the wheels...

[Clark]

no safety chains required in the GREAT STATE OF IDEEEHO ..if the one in a million  should happen I dont want it flailin around back there either

[Rams]

I think the only thing that would prevent a disconnected but chained trailer from getting into the tire would be a heavy gauge fender extension that goes down below where the tongue is supported by the chains.  In fact, a simple look at the geometry would show that the chains would pull the tongue forward towards the tire.

I think that if you are creative enough, you shouldn't need a trailer anyway.

While I do agree with the first paragraph of your post, I can't help but note that you seem to off your meds again based on your creative thinking.    

[Gryphon Rider]

While I do agree with the first paragraph of your post, I can't help but note that you seem to off your meds again based on your creative thinking.    

I don't claim to be creative, just an appreciator of creativity -- viewed from a safe distance.

[Chrisj CMA]

OK, So, I finally got the chance to check it out.  I removed my chains that were connected only on one side of the tongue.  Then cut the center link out so I could mount one chain on each side.  This did make the chains a tad shorter, but I think they are the RIGHT length. 

Then I took the bike and the trailer out for a little experimenting.

NO I DIDNT MAKE THE TRAILER COME OFF WHILE RIDING

But, I did criss cross the chains and they looked like they had a chance of catching the tongue should it come free from the ball.



NOPE, Not a chance.  Not unless those chains are secured together at the point where they cross.  They just separate and let the tongue fall to the ground.



Its possible (maybe) the result could have been better with MUCH shorter chains, but they would necessarily be too short and interfere with turning the bike and trailer.  I did create the sharpest backing up turn that I thought would be needed and my chains got real straight (the outside one), but not taught.  A couple links shorter and I would have been limited by the chain as far as my angle during backing.  So, I don't believe my chains are too long.


Also there is no way any length chain is going to keep a detached trailer tongue from being able to contact the rear tire.

The ONLY reason to cross the chains is to avoid a ticket while traveling through a state with that ignorant stupid law.

[fudgie]

Good expiriment Chris. 

But I wonder if its on the move and it comes unhooked if it will drop on the chains since there will be tension on it.

[Chrisj CMA]

Good expiriment Chris.  

But I wonder if its on the move and it comes unhooked if it will drop on the chains since there will be tension on it.

I thought of that, however, the tension will not be constant nor controllable.  If you touch the brakes or if there is a jolt/jerk (like when towing a car with a strap) Boom all chances of the crossed thing working shot to you know where.

[BudMan]

I have always crossed mine to catch the tongue if it comes loose, but don't know when or where I learned it, Dad probably. When I was growing up we towed ski boats all summer every year.
As far as on the Valk; I chain and cross them.
I figure it this way:
If it comes loose, it's been a bad day.
If it comes loose and hits an oncoming car, my bad day just got  a lot worse.

[Chrisj CMA]

I have always crossed mine to catch the tongue if it comes loose, but don't know when or where I learned it, Dad probably. When I was growing up we towed ski boats all summer every year.
As far as on the Valk; I chain and cross them.
I figure it this way:
If it comes loose, it's been a bad day.
If it comes loose and hits an oncoming car, my bad day just got  a lot worse.

I think I will cross them from now on just in case I get somewhere and there is a cop looking to up his ticket count and the law there says crossed.  I don't think it can hurt anything, but it has the sum total effect of shortening your chains by 1/2" or so...that's all it will do period

[Gavin_Sons]

Ill continue to not use chains.    better the trailer come off and go into oncoming traffic instead of me the bike and the trailer. Or the tongue digging into the asphalt causing a catastrophic disaster. Yep, im a rebel and know it. Ill just make sure each time I use my trailer the tongue and ball are in good shape and everything connects correctly. See you all from behind bars or on the road. 

[Gavin_Sons]

Alright, fixed my deliema.  Picked up, some chain tonight. That cheap plastic chain, that way it looks like I have some chains but it is useless. Probably should have got black instead of neon green though. 

[Rams]

Gavin,
Crossing safety chains on a trailer tongue behind a cage does make sense.    If done correctly, in event of an emergency separation, the crossed safety chains will keep the tongue from digging in to the road surface and keep the towed trailer under control to some extent.   The safety chains will keep the tongue somewhat centered and far away from the towing vehicles rear tires.

Crossing safety chains on a pull behind being towed by a motorcycle is IMHO, silly and asking for a problem.    If that hitch ever fails, the tongue is going to impact the rear tire of the bike, no doubt in my mind on this.    Now, you get to try and control a loose trailer weighing as much as your bike while it swings whatever direction and rams into your back tire most likely causing you to lose control and providing those behind with an opportunity to decide on what they want to run over, you, your bike or, your trailer.    Oops, forgot about the passenger.

Those who wish to exercise their options to stay safely chained to their pull behind are very welcomed to do so, I'm not all that comfortable with the idea.

[Gavin_Sons]

Gavin,
Crossing safety chains on a trailer tongue behind a cage does make sense.    If done correctly, in event of an emergency separation, the crossed safety chains will keep the tongue from digging in to the road surface and keep the towed trailer under control to some extent.   The safety chains will keep the tongue somewhat centered and far away from the towing vehicles rear tires.

Crossing safety chains on a pull behind being towed by a motorcycle is IMHO, silly and asking for a problem.    If that hitch ever fails, the tongue is going to impact the rear tire of the bike, no doubt in my mind on this.    Now, you get to try and control a loose trailer weighing as much as your bike while it swings whatever direction and rams into your back tire most likely causing you to lose control and providing those behind with an opportunity to decide on what they want to run over, you, your bike or, your trailer.    Oops, forgot about the passenger.

Those who wish to exercise their options to stay safely chained to their pull behind are very welcomed to do so, I'm not all that comfortable with the idea.

Ron, got it taken care of. Got my nice green "safety chains" installed.