Re: Why use hooks on safety chain when towing?
Well, I have to pipe in on this one.<br /><br />One morning a couple of years ago our trailer popped loose from our truck. Our boat is a 23' walkaround and it was fully loaded. We were on our way to the ramp for an offshore trip. The trailer/boat rig came in at over 8,000 pounds.<br /><br />When the hitch popped off the ball, which was entirely my fault by the way, we were leaving a traffic signal and making a right turn. I head a thunk, felt a jolt, looked in the mirror and saw the boat hull about to hit the tailgate of the truck. It missed by inches and the boat/trailer rolled to a rest right in the middle of the intersection (4-lane highway and the branch road I was entering it from). I backed the truck back up to it and we jacked it up and got it back on in record time and then pulled off in the first parking lot to survey the damage. Here is what I found. First, that the S-Hooks, which were quite heavy, were bent straight. Second that the 'emergency brake' lever had been fully activated and in fact was stuck in that position, but the brakes had not acculated at all (I would find out later that the seal had blown out of the master cylinder). The small S-hook that attached the acculating chain to the bumper was straightened out too, but at least it held on until it had done its job.<br /><br />So, now days I use shackels to hole my safety chains on. It takes a few minutes and they cost me a few bucks, but that's OK. I'll never have S-hooks again.<br /><br />Thom
