Safty chains on your trailer

[dacheedah]

like giving a guard a gun with no bullets, and that beaner doesn't look like it's rated to hold if it were chain.

 

I'll agree to disagree. I investigated an crash where a farmer was pulling a trailer loaded with watermelons to market and the trailer came loose from his pintle and wend down hill through a living room. People were hurt and he's lucky no one died because they were close and he was going to be charged with negligent homicide. He had some chain on his trailer that looked about the size of the chain I have on my tag along. His pintle was defective because he didn't do the basic maintenance and his chain was what he had laying around. Knowingly violating the law open you up to more serious legal charges and could render you penniless and un-insurable. The last I knew of the case, and we were in court many times, and he had exceeded his million dollar blanket policy and was loosing the farm that had been in his family for generations. He did save a couple bucks in oil and some time from maintenance and about $20.00 in chains. His worst that could happen in his head went from a $95.00 ticket to a life changing event for him and his family and the people he never knew or thought about.

 

You are making a decision to pull a trailer and you own the consequences of your actions. The law isn't there just to protect you from others, it's also there to protect others from you. I have seen an old trailer ball snap before and I was surprised it isn't one big casting , things do brake, the chains are our backup or the bullets for our guns.

 

Here is your Florida law on the chains ( every state will have these and they are similar they are based on federal requirements) (2) When a vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer on a public road or highway by means of a trailer hitch to the rear of the vehicle, there shall be attached in addition thereto safety chains, cables, or other safety devices that comply with 49 C.F.R. subpart F, ss. 393.71(g)(2)(1) and 393.71(h)(10) from the trailer or semitrailer to the vehicle. These safety chains, cables, or other safety devices shall be of sufficient strength to maintain connection of the trailer or semitrailer to the pulling vehicle under all conditions while the trailer or semitrailer is being towed by the vehicle. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to trailers or semitrailers using a hitch known as a fifth wheel nor to farm equipment traveling less than 20 miles per hour.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I'm not going down again, because of a trailer popping off the ball.

(Its not open to discussion)

 

If you post something on a public forum, it IS open to discussion.

 

Because YOU are discussing it...and so can we.

 

Probably you actually mean that your mind is made up. I can respect that.

 

Here in Texas, motorcycles are not addressed in the trailer towing codes, so while they are not specifically exempted 'per se'...they are in the category of ignored by the code, when it comes to safety chains (or cables) on motorcycles and the trailers they pull.

 

So we have a choice here, but of course, crossing state lines changes that situation.

 

On my single wheel home-built trailer, I use TWO attachment methods, and forgo using a chain.

 

If somehow BOTH solid attachments let go, that trailer will NOT be able to roll on its single wheel independently, so it would probably become a tumbling projectile. In this case, a safety chain and its attaching links would simply be twisted off, unless I used a chain that is super heavy duty, and that chain would have to be attached to the frame of the bike somehow. If the trailer laid over and was simply being dragged sideways by its chains, its more likely that me and the motorcycle would lose control and be a hazard to nearby motorists. And most of us are aware, that the main frame of a motorcycle does NOT extend to the tip of the rear fender, thats only a subframe for holding up the fender and the saddlebags. And so attaching the chains to the 'frame' of the bike is not really practical.

 

I feel that if I was in a situation where both hitch attachments failed, or the hitch u-joint failed, that the trailer would pose more of a hazard to myself and others around me because of that tumbling effect and the subsequent carnage as it broke lose (but still attached with chains) and would pose a greater threat to those around me if myself and my bike ALSO lost control and became a tumbling projectile in traffic. I think a 100 pound hurtling projectile is probably less dangerous than a combined 1000 pound hurtling projectile.

 

And my mind is made up!

This trailer can NOT keep rolling behind me if the only attachment is a chain. The trailer WILL lay down and become an uncontrollable mess (chains would not remedy that). For that reason and for the stability of the trailer, I use a double attachment method. If either fails, the trailer will still remain attached to the bike.

 

With any luck, I wont ever have to test my assumptions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 22, 2012 by tx2sturgis

[dacheedah]

ALL 50 STATES, Every state accepting federal funds must follow the federal guidelines, included in those are safety chains ( except agricultural implements, 5th wheels and semi tractors ). To get your Federal Motor Fuel Tax Funds your state comply's with this. and all 50 do!!

 

 

 

A motorcycle IS a motor vehicle and falls under this statute " or another motor vehicle" used to discribe anything not a car truck semi . . . . and no exception is granted for motorcycles.

 

I was surprised but Texas is actually one state where It requires them to be crossed and gives a lot of details

 

In Texas that is:

Title 37 Part 1 Chapter 21 Rule 21.5

(a) A person may not operate a passenger car or light truck while towing a trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, or another motor vehicle on a public highway unless safety chains of a type approved by the department are attached in a manner approved by the department from the trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, or drawn motor vehicle to the towing vehicle.

 

(b) Exceptions.

 

(1) Does not apply to trailers, or semitrailers, used for agricultural purposes.

 

(2) Does not apply to trailers, semitrailers, house trailers, or drawn motor vehicles operated in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

 

(3) Does not apply to trailers, semitrailers, house trailers, or drawn motor vehicles which are equipped with safety chains installed by the original manufacture before the effective date of this section, August 18, 1994.

 

(4) Does not apply to fifth wheel or gooseneck semitrailers.

 

© Definition of Terms.

 

(1) House trailer--A trailer or semitrailer:

 

(A) which is designed, constructed, and equipped as a dwelling place, living abode, or sleeping place (either permanently or temporarily) and equipped for use as a conveyance on streets and highways; or

 

(B) whose chassis and exterior shell is designed and constructed for use as a house trailer, as defined in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, but which is used instead permanently or temporarily for the services, or for any other commercial purpose except the transportation of property for hire or the transportation of property for distribution by a private carrier.

 

(2) Light truck--Any truck with a manufacturer's rated carrying capacity not to exceed 2,000 pounds and is intended to include those trucks commonly known as pickup trucks, panel delivery trucks and carryall trucks.

 

(3) Motor vehicle--A self-propelled or towed vehicle used to transport passengers or property upon a public highway.

 

(4) Passenger car--A motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, golf cart, light truck, or bus, designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons.

 

(5) Safety chains--A series of metal links or rings connected to or fitted into one another, and are inclusive of the hooks, coupling devices, and other connections, necessary in the coupling together of a towing or towed vehicle.

 

(6) Semitrailer--Every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.

 

(7) Trailer--Every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so connected that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.

 

(8) Truck--Every motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for transportation of property.

 

(d) Specifications for safety chains.

 

(1) Two separate and individual safety chains shall be used simultaneously in all situations where safety chains are required.

 

(2) The two safety chains will be of equal length, long enough to permit free turning of the vehicles without placing stress on the chains, and attached to the towing vehicle equidistant right and left of the point at which the vehicles are connected. The safety chains must be connected to the towed and towing vehicles and to the tow-bar in a manner which prevents the tow-bar from dropping to the ground in the event it fails or becomes disconnected. In no event will the safety chains be allowed to contact the road surface during movement of the vehicles.

 

(3) Safety chains shall be of sufficient strength to prevent the vehicles from separating in the event the towed vehicle disengages from the towing vehicle under ordinary towing conditions.

 

(4) Safety chains must be attached to either side of the tongue or connecting apparatus of the towed vehicle, equidistant forward and aft of the hitch or connector. They shall not be directly welded to the towed vehicle, but rather shall be connected by means of bolts, pins, or other secure connecting methods, that meet necessary strength requirements.

 

(e) Enforcement Policy. When the use of safety chains are required in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, enforcement actions should be initiated against all persons apprehended who are operating a towing and towed vehicle in combination:

 

(1) without both safety chains securely attached;

 

(2) when safety chains are improperly attached to the degree that one or both are in contact with surface of the road;

 

(3) when the failure of either or both safety chains or the manner in which they are attached allow the vehicles to become disconnected or allow the tongue or connecting apparatus of the towed vehicle to come into contact with the road surface during ordinary towing operations; or

 

(4) when the failure of either or both safety chains or the manner in which they are attached results in an accident.

Edited July 22, 2012 by dacheedah

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Every state accepting federal funds must follow the federal guidelines, included in those are safety chains ( except agricultural implements, 5th wheels and semi tractors ).

 

A motorcycle IS a motor vehicle and falls under this statute " or another motor vehicle" used to discribe anything not a car truck semi . . . . and no exception is granted for motorcycles.

 

I was surprised but Texas is actually one state where It requires them to be crossed and gives a lot of details

 

In Texas that is:

Title 37 Part 1 Chapter 21 Rule 21.5

(a) A person may not operate a passenger car or light truck while towing a trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, or another motor vehicle on a public highway unless safety chains of a type approved by the department are attached in a manner approved by the department from the trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, or drawn motor vehicle to the towing vehicle.

 

I am not towing 'another motor vehicle'. Read it again. WHILE TOWING...ANOTHER MOTOR VEHICLE.

 

And a motorcycle does not meet the definition of a passenger car or light truck, under Texas definitions.

 

I am correct on this and willing to fight it in court if a ticket were to be issued here in Texas.

 

Besides, ALL motorcycle manufacturers (other than can-am) prohibit the use of a trailer being pulled by a bike, (chains or not) and in the case of an accident, your insurance company gets to figure out if they will even cover the rig (and any 3rd party damage caused ). So if an officer were to enforce this, he should be writing a ticket for the bike pulling the trailer, not whether it has chains or not. And of course they will never do that.

Edited July 22, 2012 by tx2sturgis

[Guest tx2sturgis]

ALL 50 STATES, Every state accepting federal funds must follow the federal guidelines, included in those are safety chains ( except agricultural implements, 5th wheels and semi tractors ). To get your Federal Motor Fuel Tax Funds your state comply's with this. and all 50 do!!

 

 

 

.

 

Incorrect.

 

Safety chain laws vary from state to state. Most states require safety chains, on passenger cars and light trucks, pulling trailers, OR some motor vehicles pulling trailers, but there are always exemptions or omissions, such as ag use, CMVs, and those trailers under a certain weight, such as under 2000 pounds. But some states do NOT require them at all, according to what I find when searching the interweb.

 

http://webspace.webring.com/people/jv/vintage_campers1/StateSafetyChainLaws.pdf

 

 

I also found these states listed as having zero or limited safety chain laws:

 

Arizona

Delaware

Idaho

Kansas (bumper hitches only)

Louisiana (over 6000 pounds)

Mississippi (bumper hitches only)

Rhode Island

 

Maryland for example, requires the chains to be attached to the frame of the towing vehicle. Thats just not practical or safe on a motorcycle. As I stated before, the actual 'frame' in a motorcycle does not always extend to where we attach the hitch.

 

Some of those states listed may have changed or may even be incorrect, but the point is, that safety chain laws vary from state to state, as far as weights, and vehicles. Of course its very easy to comply when pulling a 5000 pound RV all over the country: Just hang two strong chains under the hitch and your probably good in all 50 states and Canada. No one will ever stop you and say u can take those off here in this or that state. So its common practice to assume that all states require chains on all vehicles, but its just not true.

 

So, like helmets, pulling trailers, and motor oil, we will disagree on some things. But its all good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 22, 2012 by tx2sturgis

[Guest tx2sturgis]

 

Trailer--Every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so connected that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.

 

 

"Semitrailer" means a vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer: (A) designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle and to transport persons or property; and (B) constructed so that part of the vehicle's weight and load rests on or is carried by another vehicle.

 

Under this definition, my trailer is actually legally a semi-trailer and is probably exempt from the safety chain rule.

 

Oh this is interesting!

 

I had no idea I was pulling a semi-trailer with my bike..... Never thought about it. But I do tell people that my Venture is my 'two-wheeled truck'....now I guess its official!

 

Edited July 23, 2012 by tx2sturgis

[dacheedah]

I was wrong chains are not a federal mandate on home made trailers, thats the short answer.

 

I did call a friend from NHTSA to find out if safety chains were a mandate, when he got back to me he gave a yes and no answer that would require a room of lawyers but basically here was his answer. Trailer manufacturers are required by NHTSA to meet or exceed SAE J684. That determines what rating that the hitch components and safety chains are required, so the manufacturers are required to install them based on the trailer rating. Several groups of trailer manufacturers and most exceed the base requirements. He spoke to Arizona in regards to not spelling out the use of chains but the law in Arizona requires the use of and forbids removing or safety equipment on all manufactured vehicles and this includes trailers. I asked about home made trailers and kit trailers. He basically said kit trailers are assembled at home but manufactured off site and must comply.

 

In regards to home built trailers it is the states responsibility to set guidelines and the only federal mandate on home built trailers are requirements of lighting. Some states inspect, others do not.

 

You do know that all these laws were written by lawyers to divide and confuse us common folk. . .

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I was wrong chains are not a federal mandate on home made trailers, thats the short answer.

 

In regards to home built trailers it is the states responsibility to set guidelines and the only federal mandate on home built trailers are requirements of lighting. Some states inspect, others do not.

 

You do know that all these laws were written by lawyers to divide and confuse us common folk. . .

 

 

And they do a damn good job of that!

 

 

Yes, this is a homebuilt trailer, that weighs 60 pounds empty. I have another, factory built, 2 wheel trailer, that weighs about 75 pounds, and on that one I DO use safety chains. There is the off chance that if the hitch failed somehow, that MAYBE it would drop down and be suspended while I could slow down and get it stopped safely on the side of the road, and then clean off the seat.

 

 

But seriously, on this little single wheel homebuilt, I really think a chain is a bad idea, and so I have configured the hitch to use both a hitch pin AND a large U-bolt that attaches the trailer solidly to the bike. There is no hitch-ball to come unscrewed, nor is there a release of any kind that might pop open if the trailer was impacted by something.

 

Yeah...I guess both pieces of hardware could fail, or in fact, the fender subframe spreaderbar could drop off if all four bolts failed...you know...stuff could happen. I understand the rules, and why they are there.

 

But if this singlewheel trailer comes apart from the bike, safety chains will NOT be able to keep it upright, it will fall over, and either begin sliding or tumbling. In either case, chains attaching it to my bike, and keeping it back there where it can get into my running gear, will PROBABLY cause me and the bike to lose control. Period.

 

Even if I was FORCED to add chains, I would apparently be looking at chains that are rated at the GVW of the trailer. As the manufacturer, I would set that at say, 120 pounds. Thats a pretty lightweight chain, about like a childs swingset chain, made of twisted, not welded, links.

 

Then I would need a liteweight snaplink...well you see where this is going.

 

I have never had a cop stop me for any reason when pulling the trailer, in and out of a handful of states. The trailer is so small that it just doesnt get much notice.

 

I suppose that if Im ever involved in an accident and the question comes up, well, in the grand scheme of things, I will cross that river when I come to it.

 

I have seen pickup drivers lose ladders, pipe, tools, toolboxes, 2x4's, plywood, and all sorts of litter and debris out the back of the pickup while traveling down the road. Its a shame that THEY arent mandated to chain that crap in the back of the pickup.

 

As far as my little trailer being a hazard to anyone else, I doubt it. Even at speed, if disconnected, it cant roll more that a few yards before gravity and friction would begin to apply some very effective brakes!

 

 

[speakerfritz]

a trailer flipped over that detaches from the bike would be a pretty gangerous road obstical

 

a trailer flipped over which is chained to a bike that was slammed into the ground becuase the trailer flipped over would be an even bigger road obstical

 

 

but my state requires chains...so thats what I will be doing

[IronMike]

I recently read an article in a magazine that urged a crack down on people not using chains. It showed some cases where the chains would have prevented injury.

 

I will second the short crossed properly fit chains. There should also be a steel plate on the bottom of the tounge that looks like a ramp. What that does is slow it down and prevent the front from gouging into the ground and suddenly jerking you. This part must also be placed so that while tiwed by your bike with your chains it slightly drags at lowest possible point. It looks like a slanted V under the tounge.