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Old 10-09-2014, 08:07 PM   #1
Tbos
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2014 238ML Safety Chain issue?

I noticed today while getting ready for a long weekend trip the safety chains have knicks in them where they attach to the TT. It appears my equalizer hitch is hitting them when I make slow sharp turns. I stopped and looked while turning around in my court and sure enough they hit. Has anyone else had this issue? If so how did you fix it? I saw two holes in the plate welded to the frame just behind the jack. Do you think it would be ok to lengthen the chains or by new and attach them there? Thanks. Tom
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Old 10-09-2014, 08:48 PM   #2
BirchyBoy
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Can you post a pic of how the chains are attached? I've got the same trailer and hitch but haven't had any issues. IIRC, my chains are mounted under the frame, inside of where the tension bar brackets are.
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Old 10-10-2014, 09:16 AM   #3
Ken / Claudia
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You can add links but, I would not use any that have any damage on them. If you do need longer chains just buy new ones, make sure the chains are strong enough. In a best case uncoupleing while towing you want the safety chains or cables to hold the tongue off the roadway. That may or may not happen in real life. As long as the trailer stays with the tow vehicle until the e- brakes come on and stop it is thats most important. As a trooper I found some sawed links. The owners wanted the trailer to travel away on it's own if uncoupled. That's illegal and could cause others be stuck by a runaway trailer.
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Old 10-10-2014, 09:44 AM   #4
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In addition to Ken's comments, thought should be given to the length of the break-away cable and the 7 pin connector. If the chains support the tongue, keeping it attached to the tow vehicle and the emergency break-away cable is longer than the chain length, it would not activate the brakes. Add a "too short 7 pin cable and it may pull out of the tow vehicle socket leaving the trailer dangling on the chains, no emergency brakes to slow it and no connection to the brake controller in the tow vehicle.

They all need to be measured and considered as three parts of an interconnected emergency system, not simply as "chains to keep it attached" ... Hopefully it will never happen to you, but if your RV (or any other trailer) should uncouple from your tow vehicle, having an emergency system with all parts working certainly "trumps" being "dangled by the dog" on the end of a "long enough to not get caught up" chain.....
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Old 10-10-2014, 01:26 PM   #5
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Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1412975879.612560.jpg
Views:	216
Size:	91.5 KB
ID:	7207

Here's the picture of how my chains attach. There is a loop welded right behind and below the hitch. I'd like to see how yours attach.
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Old 10-10-2014, 02:06 PM   #6
BirchyBoy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos View Post
Attachment 7207

Here's the picture of how my chains attach. There is a loop welded right behind and below the hitch. I'd like to see how yours attach.
Thanks. I'll take a pic if I go to the storage site this weekend.
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Old 10-10-2014, 02:24 PM   #7
Tbos
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Did my picture come through? I can't see it on my phone. Thanks for taking a picture of your chain hookups when you get the chance.
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Old 10-10-2014, 04:51 PM   #8
hankaye
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Tbos, Howdy;

Yep, your photo came through. Generally most chains are attached
aft (behind), the juncture of the arms that the hitch is mounted to.
That way the chains will hang lower than the arms instead of in the
path of the equ-liz-er arms.

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Old 10-13-2014, 05:12 PM   #9
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The chains should be replaced. The current ones are rated at 7800 Lbs break strength. They are too short to cut the damaged links and attach farther aft. Does anyone know where we can some replacement chains?
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Old 10-13-2014, 06:04 PM   #10
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Most any hardware store or farm supply store would have chain. Just make sure you get the right tensile strength, not just the right diameter links.
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