Community Forums

45Auto · 06-10-2018, 11:41 AM

New to 5th wheels. I see some 5ers with safety chains and some without. Our trailer didn't come with them but has the electric safety brake cable, so if the trailer separates form the truck the safety wire detaches and locks up the trailer wheels. Should I be using both? Should the dealer have said something? Are chains also required for trailers over a certain weight?
Thanks to all!

Butch50 · 06-10-2018, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45Auto

New to 5th wheels. I see some 5ers with safety chains and some without. Our trailer didn't come with them but has the electric safety brake cable, so if the trailer separates form the truck the safety wire detaches and locks up the trailer wheels. Should I be using both? Should the dealer have said something? Are chains also required for trailers over a certain weight?
Thanks to all!

No you do not need any chains, if you convert or use a goose neck connection in place of the 5th wheel hitch setup then you would need chains.

You don't see semi rigs with safety chains.

45Auto · 06-10-2018, 03:27 PM

thanks for the heads up. I don't know if I don't ask. Learn something new all the time.

mrgrayaz · 06-10-2018, 05:36 PM

You've probably never seen a 5th wheel safety chains - they aren't required. I've never seen one anyway.

There is some ambiguity out there regarding Anderson hitches since they are basically a goosneck but lifted up 2 feet.

All Goosnecks require chains - so if you ever see a 5th wheel running a Goosneck conversion, it will require chains.

Old-Biscuit · 06-10-2018, 05:48 PM

Anderson has a 'safety chain kit' for their Ultimate Hitch
https://andersenhitches.com/Products...onnection.aspx

NevadaNick · 06-10-2018, 05:54 PM

Ball = chains, plate = none.

bddadles · 06-10-2018, 06:12 PM

I have never seen chains on a 5er. But I have never used anything but a regular 5th hitch.

45Auto · 06-11-2018, 12:57 AM

Lol a guy down the road from me has chains in his Cougar, and believe I saw a standard hitch. Will pay closer attention next time I see it parked out front of his house

kksalmon · 06-11-2018, 05:23 AM

I love my Anderson hitch and I use their chains. I just don't want any problems with law enforcement and it adds another level of safety for $100.

benderdog · 06-11-2018, 09:04 AM

I also have Anderson hitch and safety chains like Kksalmon said another safety for 100. plus in Canada. My dealer told me the rules in Canada change province to province.

FatDog · 06-11-2018, 09:31 AM

If you make a mistake hooking up a 5th wheel and the jaws don't latch completely around the pin your tug test should let you know about it. Unfortunately your landing legs have now already been raised when you start driving, and you'll drop the trailer nose. Loud bang but not really a substantial risk to drivers behind you as it'll usually drop at low speed or at your first corner.

I've seen many 5th wheels dropped at low speed leaving a parking lot but never seen one dropped at freeway speed. Those jaws and pins are built rugged.

tuffr2 · 06-11-2018, 10:01 AM

Safty chains for a 5th wheel? Take a picture as I got to see this.

If a 5th wheel becomes detached from the truck while on the highway the safty brake cable will lock the 5th wheel brakes as the design. Again, like someone already mentioned if you are not connected correctly you probably will not make it to the highway before the 5th wheel drops on your truck.

Oh, when doing the tug test I only have the landing gear 2" off the ground so if it falls it will land on the landing gear and not the truck. After it passes the initial tug test I raise the landing gear for travel.

Brentw · 06-11-2018, 10:35 AM

Prior to doing your tug test, learn what your hitch handle, jaws etc look like when they are latched. Many models have indicators or safety pins that indicate latched jaws. Sooner find this with a visual than dropping it on the legs.