Re: safety chain mount questions

[mr-asa]

quote opposedtwin:

I have always intended to put in place solid, semi-permanent safety chains on my trailer tongues but have always been in a hurry to get out in the spring. Then, I only think about them when hooking up my boat to the car and then I forget again while boating. I have long been skeptical that my current “system” installed by a PO was adequate and safe. It’s simply a thru eye bolt that goes through the tongue (see pic).

What is a safe mounting method? Seems like there are lots of jury rigged systems out there that I believe would fail if tested seriously. How are your chains mounted to your trailer? Let’s see pictures!

Thanks for any input!

That style of eyebolt is not rated for angular loading, so it definitely isn’t right.
Currently I have a 1/2" bolt through the tongue, and a couple of links of chain on either side of the bolt, then I just run a (I think) 36" safety chain with safety hooks on the end through the hitch and put a lock on the inside of it so it can’t come through the hitch, I hook the chain’s hooks to the chain bolted onto the chain.

It’s a little backwards, but I like it better as the chain can’t bind if you go too far one way, and I didn’t have to modify the safety chain to get it to fit onto the tongue.