Safety chain that loops on ball?

[petebert]

Picked up a used livestock trailer. When I asked the seller about hooking on the safety chain he said it just loops in front of the ball. Initially it seemed like a good idea but the more I've thought about it I don't like the idea of it. Big enough bump that causes the ball to unhook could pop the chain off, also if the ball were to break you'd be screwed. Any recommendations on what do with it? Do I use the looped chain at all? Or cut it off and just put some traditional chains on?

Here's a picture, the other side looks just like this side.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Personally I think you need new chains long enough to hook on to the proper points. The pins holding the receiver and ball might come loose for example. Balls do break, nuts come loose, etc. So the chains hooked elsewhere is a much better idea.

 

[oosik]

The safety chains on my trailer go - in an X pattern - to brackets attached directly to the pickup frame members. Safety chains have nothing to do with the hitch in any way.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^
Just as Oosik said. You hope that it never happens but if the trailer does come off, the crossed chains should cradle the tongue and keep it dragging on the ground.
The breakaway for the trailer brakes is what often is looped over the ball.

 

[bcp]

Some states don't allow welded-on safety chains.

One setup I liked was a keyhole or banjo hole, with a bolt and large washer keeping the chain in the slot, but adjustable with tools.

Bruce

PS found some similar.

 

[oosik]

Unfortunately - I DID have it happen. In my driveway - so I was going slow. Small travel trailer - forgot to raise the tongue jack - it hit a bump - the hitch came off the ball - the crossed safety chains saved the day.

 

[ruffdog]

The chains should fasten to a solid fixture other than the drawbar (hitch insert). Each leg of the chain should be rated at least what the trailers gross weight is.

 

[skipperbrown]

I had a friend who towed his car 4 down behind his motorhome in the 90s. He used a ball hitch attached to the motorhome. One day driving down interstate 65 after running over a bridge with bumpy expansion joints, he noticed a car just like his passing him. Then he realized it was his car. The car traveled through the left lane, down the median and came to a stop in the median V. Upon inspection, the nut on the ball had come loose, unthreaded itself, fell off, and when he hit a bump, the ball lifted right off the hitch. Many safety rules were broken. This accident could have resulted in tragic deaths. Always exercise the utmost caution so this can't happen to you.

 

[4570Man]

Unfortunately - I DID have it happen. In my driveway - so I was going slow. Small travel trailer - forgot to raise the tongue jack - it hit a bump - the hitch came off the ball - the crossed safety chains saved the day.

There was something else wrong with that setup. The hitch should take upwards pressure.

 

[fried1765]

The safety chains on my trailer go - in an X pattern - to brackets attached directly to the pickup frame members. Safety chains have nothing to do with the hitch in any way.

SO MANY times I see safety chains that are NOT crossed.
Many just do not know!