Trailer Query ( Safety)

[BruceK]

Yes to draw bar, where it attaches to the tow vehicle should be at centre point and unable to slide across (e.g. a towbar) and not where it would interfere with the hitch in anyway. My tow vehicle has a dedicated towing eye at centre point above the tow hitch that is convenient. My chain loop is completed with an appropriate shackle close on the drawbar. But that's my setup as the towball bolts to a variable height plate adjuster and the saftey chain could foul the hitch and be vulnerable to jumping off the towball should the hitch fail

 

[ProDave]

I thought the idea of a "breakaway chain" was with a braked trailer the chain / cord would apply the trailer brakes and then snap, detaching the trailer from the car and ensuring the trailer came to a stop.

I really don't think I would want a detached trailer to remain attached by a chain so it can destroy the back of my car as it bounces around?

 

[MystyBlue2]

I thought the idea of a "breakaway chain" was with a braked trailer the chain / cord would apply the trailer brakes and then snap, detaching the trailer from the car and ensuring the trailer came to a stop.

I really don't think I would want a detached trailer to remain attached by a chain so it can destroy the back of my car as it bounces around?

Rather dint the bumper than cause an accident if the hitch drags nose down at 60mph causing the trailer to snake and flip followed by the car and a ruined boat. And thats without a potential pile up on the motorway.

 

[penberth3]

I really don't think I would want a detached trailer to remain attached by a chain so it can destroy the back of my car as it bounces around?

You haven't thought very hard have you. That is exactly the point of using a chain.

 

[ontheplane]

Back in the early 70’s my Dad was hitching up the boat to the car when he got distracted by Mum and went to do something for her. He left the hitch resting ON the towbar ball not latched over it......

We set off about 20 mins later, all perfectly well until Dad turned left at the duck pond at the end of the road......... the boat didn’t, and carried on straight (no breakaway cables back then) fortunately he was going slow, and after the junction was an uphill...... however the reaction of the cyclist coming the other way who suddenly saw a Buckingham 21 on an unaccompanied excursion was to say the least “fruity”. I think underwear may have required changing.......

After that Dad drilled a hole through the handle whilst it was fitted in such a way a padlock could be slid through and it was literally impossible to remove the boat from the towbar without taking it off - so a double win. He also NEVER put the car near the hitch without completely attaching or detaching it again!

You also want a chain long enough the drawbar will hit the road so there will be at least SOME braking effect, perhaps a skid to stop it digging in and flipping, and obviously that will create noise so you’ll know what’s happened......

 

[Caraway]

that will create noise so you’ll know what’s happened......

If the hitch comes off and your safety chain prevents it touching the road (in my opinion, the best option) you WILL hear the commotion. I had a wire strop I linked over the tow ball swan neck and even the squeaking of that on the swan neck was clearly audible inside the car.
I have always checked my coupling before leaving and very often stop after 10 minutes to heave on the hitch and check the wheel bearings for any heat they may be producing, as well as check straps on the load. .

 

[ontheplane]

Yep Dad used to do that too - the duck pond is about 1 min from the house tho!

After the incident, he used to check twice before we set off.

Genuinely scared the bejesus out of him, someone could have been killed - pure luck no major harm done.