Safety Chains

nurseman

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Jun 2, 2013
Messages
1,045
+1 ^^^. Crossed over is the way I was always taught as well. That way it catches the tongue before it hits the ground (in theory).
 

WIMUSKY

Moderator
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Sep 26, 2009
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20,221
Not trying to change the subject or high jack but talking about chains .. Is the proper way to hook them to the hitch is crossing them under the tongue ? Or just straight back .. I have always wondered .. I assume crossed would maybe cradle the tongue to maybe keep it from hitting the ground should it jump off the ball ...
Probably a dumb question .. :facepalm:

You're exactly right, cross them....... It's a very good question.....
 

WIMUSKY

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As Jay said, the ball mount is upside down. That's why your trailer isn't level. If you do eliminate the extension, make sure the bow doesn't hit the spare tire in very tight turns. As said, best is to remove the extension.......
 

ford84

Cadet
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
21
Having the longer tongue may cause that effect on the Jeep. The longer the arm, the more the center of gravity is moved aft. It's acting as a lever.

I'd go back to the original short ball mount, if I didn't make that clear with my earlier remark. Flipping it over ought to give him enough space to release the hitch lever. If it doesn't, just swing the spare tire a little bit out of the way, as GA_Boater suggested.

Well.....this isn't the first hitch....as originally stated. A shorter hitch with a 2 inch drop is what causes it to hit the spare tire. A 4 inch drop is too low.....but I have the problem figured out. Thanks for all the advice.
 
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