Surely your not questioning the knowledge of the great one.

Maybe you could ask some of your buds for the right answer.But,since you don't use your chains,I can't see as it really matters?

I just went out and checked the trailers I presently have here. The trailers made in FL and OK have bolted safety devices. One has chains, the other, cables. My two trailers that are from IN have chains that are welded. I have another trailer presently in NY, that was made in TX.  It also has welded chains.

I do not know the regulations of each state. I would think that a manufacturer producing equipment being sold in many states and perhaps used in all, would have to conform to a national standard.

That begs a question; is there a national standard for the safety equipment on trailers? Obviously, lighting, reflectors and brakes are regulated, are chains and cables? I don't know the answer to your statement.

Gard

They are on tow dollies in doubles situations. It goes back to the fifth wheel application. It is considers a more positive lock than the ball and socket type on a gooseneck.

I've got two goosenecks that weren't built with safety chains and I haven't ever added them. I personally don't agree with them on goosenecks. Not what most manufacturer's put on there anyways. Two reasons; 1. If the coupler is in good working order, and is latched, it is not coming off. 2. If I am in a collision hard enough to shear the ball rated at 30,000, the chains most are using aren't going to make any difference.

I absolutely agree they should be used on a bumper pull trailer, I actually cross them to create a craddle on BP's. I just think they are a waste of time on a horse trailer the laws of physics say it would be practically impossible for a horse trailer to come off the ball, look at where the axles are located. The most logic would say that a fifth wheel type trailer would be required to have safety chains before a gooseneck would, the Cedar Creek I pull, the axles are centered on the floor of the trailer, why? So that the trailer is not as heavy on the truck. Horse trailers axles are towards the rear, why?  because thats where most of the weight is. So that puts alot weight on the truck hence why I think they would be very hard to come off.......... even if they were not locked on, it would take a pothole the size of a small car to bump one up and off the ball. The shorter the trailer the more likely this would be to happen. A 14' shortwall with full LQ would be impossible to come off the ball. Now back to the question as to why semis don't have to use safety chains.......... because the trucking industry doesn't want them to, and they are a very strong lobbying organization in DC. SO.......... you all keep argueing about how safety chains on goosenecks have saved thousands of lives and I'll read it and laugh. This forum is begining to be my main source for comedy everyday.

And for those of you who say well it's the law........... so is the speed limit, using your turn signals and obeying traffic lights, how many of you all high and mighty's haven't broken one of them in the last week.

 SO.......... you all keep argueing about how safety chains on goosenecks have saved thousands of lives and I'll read it and laugh. This forum is begining to be my main source for comedy everyday.

And for those of you who say well it's the law........... so is the speed limit, using your turn signals and obeying traffic lights, how many of you all high and mighty's haven't broken on of them in the last week.

I have,and you have,and all of us have "broken the law." That's what is a good point that was made in the Bible,wasn't it? We can all strive to do better even tho we all fall short.And,you know,if you get caught speeding,running lights,ect you'll also get a ticket,just like you will if you come to Arkansas and a state boy catches you w/out chains on your trailer.Even tho it is pretty stupid to think they'd hold a GN if it came off of the ball anyway.So I'll go ahead and hook mine up,even tho,it probably won't make a hoot in you know where in a dire emergency.

Not trying to sound "high and mighty," just saying what we do here.You do what you want to.No sweat,ok by me.

Hi Folks,

I'm new tto the forum but enjoy reading everyone's posts.  As for safety chains, I have seen two times where the chains caused more damage than they prevented.  In both cases the trailer came loose from the tow vehicle and caused the trucks to roll over, injuting one person and killing two more.  I guess the moral of the story is just like seatbelts, they don't always have the intended effect.

Safety chains are a requirement and should be crossed under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Always leave enough slack so you can turn. Never allow the safety chains to drag on the ground and never attach the safety chains to the bumper.

Trailer Classification: Safety Chain Breaking Force-Minimum

Class 1: 2000 lbs (8.9 kN)
Class 2: 3500 lbs (15.6 kN)
Class 3: 5000 lbs (22.2 kN)
Class 4: The strength rating of each length of safety chain or its equivalent and its attachments shall be equal to or exceed in minimum breaking force the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of the trailer.

After all of the above verbage...Check out the following on non-enforcement...

http://federaltrailerposter.blogspot.com/

An officer with the Ark.Highway trans.dept couldn't tell me for certain about chains.I've been told by dealers and haulers that they are required.Perhaps they meant on vehicles for commercial hauling? I use them,anyway,they are on there,and I don't want them dragging around.She was trying to find out about chains,but she said basically that the book is a thick as a catalog,so,she couldn't find it at the moment.So,guess Arkansas' finest trusted with upholding the highway laws "don't know" themselves!!!

But what she did read me from the reg.book was: every tow with a gross weight of 3000# or more must have an independent braking system,and it must be designed to operate so as if the towed vehicle comes loose,the braking system operates independently of the driver.(A breakaway system,basically,is what she's talking about.)

To heck with this!!!