No worries. You asked a few months ago about the suspension setup didn't you? It's definitely on my list, I'm working to do several shorter videos like that as well as the longer solar blanket reviews and intake cleaner ones. But I'll make sure it covers the tow hitch setup too!
Lol. People that think crossing your chains will somehow cradle your trailer if it becomes disconnected. I dare you to go out, don't connect your trailer, just connect the chains by crossing them and see if it catches/cradles your trailer. (Spoiler alert, it won't).
It depends on whereabouts on the drawbar the chains are attached. For that to work, the coupling would need to be half way along the length of the chains, i.e. the chains would need to be attached to the van the same distance back from the coupling as the distance from the coupling to where the chains attach to the vehicle. That would make the cross-over point directly below the coupling when it comes loose from the vehicle. However it's still possible the chains will just pull the van forward and it'll still scrape.
i try to cross my chains on all trailers if they have double chains for the 1st reason, I never thought about the 2nd reason and it makes sense....thanks Greg
Crossed chain vs straight chain wont matter unless it falls off in the driveway. That trailer is going to be like a bucking bull doing what ever it wants. Dreamers is all ive got to say
It's sure going to be bucking around that's for sure. Crossed has a better chance of catching it, but you're right it's not guaranteed. It really depends on the position of the chains, where they're attached to the vehicle and trailer.
Glad it was helpful mate! We're technically based in SA and will be back there soon, but we've been travelling for a few years and spent some time living interstate so haven't actually spent a lot of time at home recently!
the nose can still dig in and cause a flip, on some style hitches/chain attachment points and trailers.... . its 100% about turning...."catching" the nose is a beneficial accident DO NOT!!! rely on it "catching" the nose . like, you even showed us what straight chains would look like...WITH the chains crossed! (1:09) if you can do that with them crossed.... "natural motion" can do that while towing down the highway with them crossed . or the "crossover point" could be on its swing back and you get lucky....for now....... until you hit the brakes, and the trailer slams into your spare tire, blowing it up, causing a panic stop and even more damage
I think it would depend on where the chains are attached to van and vehicle. If there's equal length from the hitch to the chains attachment point in each direction when chains are taut, the cross point will be below the hitch. Not very likely I admit but still more chance of catching it than with them not crossed where there's no chance
Wasn't aware of that, good to know since we're in QLD at the moment! I filmed that in Ballina! Although it's good to understand the logic behind laws - that was always the puzzle to me that some people did it one way and some the other, but no-one I spoke to really seemed to know why either way.
It will not catch the trailer. When it detatches the chains will fall with the trailer since the trailer is the only thing holding them up. ruclips.net/user/shortsg3ml2BEIRKQ?si=4b70KqGYBoraF8k_
Its complete rubbish... the chains lower with the coupling to the ground. This is an urban myth ... if you wish to see the truth just lower the coupling down to the ground. The only possible way is if the chains are shorter than the distance between the towbar and ground, Which means the chains would need to be welded to the front of the coupling FOR EXAMPLE if the chains touch the ground unconnected so will you coupling unhitched.
It's a fair point Mark, however it would depend on the conditions you're towing under. What you've said would be true when the van's stopped or if you're going down a hill, but on the flat or towing uphill when the coupling's most likely to break, the weight of the van pulling away from the vehicle will pull the chains tight if the coupling disconnects. If the chains are crossed over, there is at least some hope the chains will catch the coupling, even if they do nothing but provide a smooth surface to scrape along the ground so the coupling doesn't dig in. However with the chains straight, there is zero chance of them catching the coupling. I guess that's the point - crossed chains provide some chance of catching the coupling, but straight chains there's none.
@@TheMusingGreg I have seen this happen a few times and it does not catch it. The coupling passes through the chain.Speed and incline? No you would need ton of air resistance to elevate a 200kg ball weight the more likely scenerio is it exerts an additional down force.coming off the car. This idea is just flawed. even if the trailer pulled back it would rebound forward and into the ground. I know ppl like to think this is real but its just nonsense. crossing for the angle is fine. Yes you can show that works. Theres many urban myths and ppl love their tech so much they make it that way lol. To be clear there is no catching period ... hanging yes if you have really short chains.
@@TheMusingGreg Even off road dragging campers up inclines the coupling stays at ground level 70% of the time. Which is why you use a small jockey wheel at front to maintain clearance.
![How To Remove A Stuck Receiver Hitch [THE PROPER WAY]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/mDKCHdUxGTM/mqdefault.jpg)
Always wondered why crossed was best. I think you have nailed it. Well done
Glad it helped, it puzzled me for years before someone finally gave me a good reason!
Thanks. Would be interested to know more about your hitch setup also.
No worries. You asked a few months ago about the suspension setup didn't you? It's definitely on my list, I'm working to do several shorter videos like that as well as the longer solar blanket reviews and intake cleaner ones. But I'll make sure it covers the tow hitch setup too!
I hadn't considered the chain length changing when straight. Thats a great point.
Thanks yeah me too originally, that's what got me thinking about crossing them!
Lol. People that think crossing your chains will somehow cradle your trailer if it becomes disconnected. I dare you to go out, don't connect your trailer, just connect the chains by crossing them and see if it catches/cradles your trailer. (Spoiler alert, it won't).
It depends on whereabouts on the drawbar the chains are attached. For that to work, the coupling would need to be half way along the length of the chains, i.e. the chains would need to be attached to the van the same distance back from the coupling as the distance from the coupling to where the chains attach to the vehicle. That would make the cross-over point directly below the coupling when it comes loose from the vehicle. However it's still possible the chains will just pull the van forward and it'll still scrape.
Exactly
ruclips.net/user/shortsg3ml2BEIRKQ?si=4b70KqGYBoraF8k_
i try to cross my chains on all trailers if they have double chains for the 1st reason, I never thought about the 2nd reason and it makes sense....thanks Greg
Cheers mate!
And, the (NSW) law states chain(s) must be as short as practical AND if 2 chains, they MUST be crossed
Well that's good to know. I didn't know that was law in NSW at least, we're from SA, thanks for sharing!
Really think the tongue of the trailer is going to land in that little cross in the chains? That's like a one in a million brother
It may be, but there's more chance them without them crossed
Crossed chain vs straight chain wont matter unless it falls off in the driveway. That trailer is going to be like a bucking bull doing what ever it wants. Dreamers is all ive got to say
It's sure going to be bucking around that's for sure. Crossed has a better chance of catching it, but you're right it's not guaranteed. It really depends on the position of the chains, where they're attached to the vehicle and trailer.
When your trailer coupler falls off and starts to swing left/right you'll wish the chains were crossed.
@@NoDakBees dreamer
Good informative video, love your work. And now subscribed. Are you in S.A.?
Glad it was helpful mate! We're technically based in SA and will be back there soon, but we've been travelling for a few years and spent some time living interstate so haven't actually spent a lot of time at home recently!
Thanks for sharing 👍
No problem 👍
the nose can still dig in and cause a flip, on some style hitches/chain attachment points and trailers....
.
its 100% about turning...."catching" the nose is a beneficial accident
DO NOT!!! rely on it "catching" the nose
.
like, you even showed us what straight chains would look like...WITH the chains crossed! (1:09)
if you can do that with them crossed.... "natural motion" can do that while towing down the highway with them crossed
.
or the "crossover point" could be on its swing back and you get lucky....for now.......
until you hit the brakes, and the trailer slams into your spare tire, blowing it up, causing a panic stop and even more damage
Yeah it's not an exact science that's for sure! I guess it's just one extra safety net (excuse the pun) if the worst happens!
ok, unhitch it with the chains on and see if the crossed chains do anything. They don't. Now imagine going 60mph.
I think it would depend on where the chains are attached to van and vehicle. If there's equal length from the hitch to the chains attachment point in each direction when chains are taut, the cross point will be below the hitch. Not very likely I admit but still more chance of catching it than with them not crossed where there's no chance
yeh whole family has done this for aslong as i can remember
Thanks mate!
If that van needs a run away break cable that chain shouldn't have been weld on...
The van came with the break safe cable. I guess it's just another level of redundancy, although I agree it may not be strictly necessary.
But they won't
They may not, it depends on the length of the tongue and chain position I think; but it's more likely to catch it than if they're not crossed at all.
I believe the reason we cross them is that it’s the law, certainly is in QLD.
Wasn't aware of that, good to know since we're in QLD at the moment! I filmed that in Ballina! Although it's good to understand the logic behind laws - that was always the puzzle to me that some people did it one way and some the other, but no-one I spoke to really seemed to know why either way.
It will not catch the trailer. When it detatches the chains will fall with the trailer since the trailer is the only thing holding them up.
ruclips.net/user/shortsg3ml2BEIRKQ?si=4b70KqGYBoraF8k_
That's true if it's stationary like in that video, but if the chains are under tension if the van is braking they might catch the coupling
Its complete rubbish... the chains lower with the coupling to the ground. This is an urban myth ... if you wish to see the truth just lower the coupling down to the ground. The only possible way is if the chains are shorter than the distance between the towbar and ground, Which means the chains would need to be welded to the front of the coupling FOR EXAMPLE if the chains touch the ground unconnected so will you coupling unhitched.
It's a fair point Mark, however it would depend on the conditions you're towing under. What you've said would be true when the van's stopped or if you're going down a hill, but on the flat or towing uphill when the coupling's most likely to break, the weight of the van pulling away from the vehicle will pull the chains tight if the coupling disconnects. If the chains are crossed over, there is at least some hope the chains will catch the coupling, even if they do nothing but provide a smooth surface to scrape along the ground so the coupling doesn't dig in. However with the chains straight, there is zero chance of them catching the coupling.
I guess that's the point - crossed chains provide some chance of catching the coupling, but straight chains there's none.
@@TheMusingGreg I have seen this happen a few times and it does not catch it. The coupling passes through the chain.Speed and incline? No you would need ton of air resistance to elevate a 200kg ball weight the more likely scenerio is it exerts an additional down force.coming off the car. This idea is just flawed. even if the trailer pulled back it would rebound forward and into the ground. I know ppl like to think this is real but its just nonsense. crossing for the angle is fine. Yes you can show that works. Theres many urban myths and ppl love their tech so much they make it that way lol. To be clear there is no catching period ... hanging yes if you have really short chains.
@@TheMusingGreg Even off road dragging campers up inclines the coupling stays at ground level 70% of the time. Which is why you use a small jockey wheel at front to maintain clearance.
@@markwright196 Thanks for the input, it sounds interesting and I might see if I can (safely) test that one day.
@@TheMusingGreg do us all a favor and record it.
3rd reason if it doesn't fail the chains will catch it. 🫣 I can confirm as I didn't recheck someone fitting the trailer for me once and it came off 😅
You're saying the chains caught the hitch in your case?
This happens to me, and the crossed over chains kept the trailer of the ground.