"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
Bob wrote:
This thread brings up a good question...

How do you determine the proper length of the chains?

I once read somewhere that the appropriate length is 70 degrees from the
points of attachment meaning that the angle between the tow vehicle and
the trailer is 70 degrees without the chains dragging on the ground.

I don't know if that is correct or not, but it seems right.


What about hooking up the chains, taking the hitch off the ball, letting it
rest on the chains, and see if it appears to have enough clearance to deal
with any road irregularities it's likely to encounter if it cuts loose?
Then, test for cornering, and ba da bing.

I guess the other question is this (for me, at least): If you:

- Use a safety link through the lever
- Replace the ball if it looks like the stem's being weakend by rust (or
something)
- Go over all the hardware with a torque wrench regularly

....what's likely to fail?