Trailer safety chain hooks

37chief · Oct 17, 2012

Does anyone know if the trailer safety chain hooks need to have a spring clip to keep them from falling out of the hitch holes? I realize each state has different rules, but most states should be the same. I am in Calif. Stan

rustyfarmall · Oct 17, 2012

(quoted from post at 10:38:42 10/17/12) Does anyone know if the trailer safety chain hooks need to have a spring clip to keep them from falling out of the hitch holes? I realize each state has different rules, but most states should be the same. I am in Calif. Stan

Considering the fact that all factory installed safety chains DO have the safety clips, I would guess it is a federal requirement. Better safe than sorry.

souNdguy · Oct 17, 2012

i like some sort of retainer.. just because it's safer. I shy away from the cheap 'S' hooks for that reason and like the wide mouth 'grab hooks with spring clip'.. I have even used turnbuckle closing link unions for this...

just my opinion..

colekicker · Oct 17, 2012

Even if it's not required, it'd be what I would use. If you ever did have to depend on those safety chains, it would be much nicer knowing they were less likely to come off.

pete black · Oct 17, 2012

the primary thing is the correct placement of the hook. place them with the open part facing rearward. in this manner you are always driving into the hook in the event of hook bounce.

jon f mn · Oct 17, 2012

No, it's not required and not all comercially built trailers have them. If it falls under DOT rules, (over 26,000# gvw or air brakes) thats a different story.

Walt Davies · Oct 17, 2012

It also depends on the titching hitch in most states calif. included you only need chains on ball type hitches. Also they must be crossed under the tounge to support it if it comes loose.
Walt

mkirsch · Oct 17, 2012

For the chains with open S hooks, you're supposed to feed them through the hole in the receiver and hook them back on themselves.

JayinNY · Oct 17, 2012

Yep, but I don't that, no way are the chains long enought, I
can't cris cross them either, even if trailer came undone, jack
would still hit the ground I would think! I'd have to buy longer
chains to do it the right way!

Geo-TH,In · Oct 17, 2012

37Chief,
I recently purchased two new trailers in Indiana, a 14k implement and 10k dump. Both came with grabber hooks with springs.

Grabber hooks don't cost that much. Law or not, I think it's a good idea to use then on safety chains.

George

Trailer safety chain hooks

37chief

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rustyfarmall

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souNdguy

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colekicker

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pete black

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jon f mn

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Walt Davies

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mkirsch

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JayinNY

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Geo-TH,In

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