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I'm confused. I was always told to cross the safety chains on my trailer. Buddy was stopped by an OPP the other day and was told that the chains should not be crossed. The OPP said that the law had been changed, and that the chains must be straight, and not crossed.
I have looked around, and can find nothing that supports this. I thought that crossed chains were to stop the tongue from dragging on the ground if the trailer came off the ball. Now, what happens if the chains are straight ?
I have not heard of any change and will cross my chains as it is the best way to keep your cargo under control should your trailer come unhooked from your truck. .Dutch
right from here http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan...ion5.4.6.shtml
Attaching your trailer
Your trailer must have two separate ways of attaching to your vehicle so that if one fails or comes loose, the trailer will stay attached.
If safety chains are used, they must be crossed under the tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the road if the primary hitch accidentally disconnects. The chain hooks must have latches or devices that will not accidentally become detached.
The cop was wrong about not crossing the chains.
There never was a law stating the chains needed to be one way or the other, as long as they're short enough to keep the tongue from touching the ground should it become detached. In most cases it's easiest to cross them but you can use any method you like. See (d).
5. (1) A full trailer shall be coupled to the frame or an extension of the frame of a truck tractor or trailer with a safety connecting device that will prevent the full trailer from breaking loose in the event the tow bar fails or becomes disconnected. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 618, s.5 (1).
(2) The safety connecting device referred to in subsection (1) shall,
(a) not be attached to any part of a trailer hitch that would render the safety connecting device ineffective should the trailer hitch or its attachment to the towing structure fail;
(b) have the minimum slack necessary for adequate articulation;
(c) have an ultimate strength not less than the gross weight of the trailer or trailers being towed and where the safety connecting device consists of two chains, two cables or two other links, each chain, cable or other link and its attachments shall have an ultimate strength equal to the gross weight of the trailer or trailers being towed;
(d) be connected in such a manner so as to prevent the tow bar from dropping to the ground, and to keep the swing of the full trailer within safe limits in the event the tow bar fails or becomes disconnected;
(e) be equipped with a hook or hooks or other means of attachment that will not become disconnected accidentally;
(f) where it is used in conjunction with a hinged tow bar and where the safety connecting device consists of two chains, two cables or two other links, be attached to the forward axle or chassis frame of the forward axle of the full trailer at two points as far apart as the configuration of the axle or frame permits and equidistant from the centreline of the full trailer;
http://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900618
be safe and cross them....according to Cam Wooley they should be crossed...I spoke to him personally many years back when they had a safety blitz on trailers at the petro on the 400 north and he commented that out of 30 trailers inspected I was the only one who did it legally by crossing my chains...up to you but personally i think crossed chains is the safest way!
I think we're talking about your average cargo/boat trailer not commercial stuff like dump trucks with a piggy back and tow bar.Quote:
Originally Posted by last5oh_302
Yes, that's why I quoted the "full trailer" section. Basically anything that isn't a fifth wheel is a full trailer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisherman
The part that got me was the hooks dad to have a snap or some wsy of latching so thy can not come off.ni more open hooks.Dutch
Until recent, it wasn't required. Somewhere I read they want you to have to the chain capacity too, I know my chargo trailer has tags on the chain. Same for ratchet straps, some way to identify capacity.Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchhunter
Maybe you saw (c) of the section posted above which has always been the case. As for hooks, see (e). Up until a couple of years ago light duty trailers that came with S hooks (your typical 14"-16 aluminum boat package) from the manufacturer were accepted without the secondary means of keeping the hook secure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisherman
Rick: Just curious ... What was/is the offence section for secondary means of attachment, with respect to crossing chains, or types of hooks ? I can only recall the requirement in the HTA, was that the secondary attachment had to be such that it prevented the trailer or device from becoming unattached. The reg section you posted, is that an offence section or just a regulatory section ? The offence section makes no mention of the attachment having to comply with another regulation. I know the MTO guys were a lot more conversant with the regulations than most officers.
Hi Rick, yes that's just the regulation ( I noticed it doesn't refer to the reg as well - pretty sure it used to before the HTA absorbed some other acts and regs) but the charge section is still section 80 (1) of the HTA. The fine is larger for big trucks.Quote:
Originally Posted by rick_iles
Section 80 - Improper means of attachment $110
Section 80 - Improper means of attachment - commercial motor vehicle $240
Attachments required when vehicle drawn on highway
80. (1) No motor vehicle, other than a motor vehicle in which there is a person licensed to drive a motor vehicle on a highway, trailer or other object or device shall be drawn by a motor vehicle or farm tractor on a highway unless there are two separate means of attachment so constructed and attached that the failure of one such means will not permit the motor vehicle, trailer, object or device being drawn to become detached; but this section does not apply to a trailer, object or device attached or coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a fifth wheel attachment or to a trailer or other object or device when drawn directly across a highway by a farm tractor. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 80.
Penalty
(2) Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and, if the offence was committed by means of a commercial motor vehicle within the meaning of subsection 16 (1), on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $20,000. 1996, c. 20, s. 18.
By the way this is right out of my CVSA book which determines whether the vehicle is placed out of service or not.
I know a lot of cops will say you need a secondary means of attachment so the hooks don't come off but for light duty trailers they still get the go (MTO policy is to let light duty vehicles go if they';re just using S hooks)
They refer to the secondary means as a retainer. Anything can be used as a retainer, such as a rubber band, as long as whatever is used keeps the hook from coming off. Again, for MTO purposes we are talking big trucks. When I haul my boat I just hang the S hook on the hitch with no retainer.
Thanks, that was pretty much my understanding as well. I always figured that any secondary attachment met the requirements, UNTIL it came loose. Unless of course the attachment was blatantly insufficient. I've seen chains just hanging on a copper wire hook on a farm tractor !! Looked good from a distance !
A common defect is worn chains,in which case they need replacing on the spot. It seems a lot of people let their chains drag which wears them down creating flat spots on the links. When this happens these chains no longer meet the working load limit (it brings them right down to 0 working limit) so make sure your chains are in good shape.
(12) Where a trailer hitch is installed, the trailer hitch, hitch mounting and connecting devices for safety cables and chains shall be inspected and tested and,
(a) no trailer hitch or towing structure, to which a trailer hitch is attached shall be insecurely mounted;
(b) no latch mechanism shall fail to close securely;
(c) no part shall be missing, cracked, broken, excessively bent, seized or excessively worn;
(d) no cast or forged hitch shall show any indication that repairs have been made by means of brazing or welding; and
(e) no connecting devices provided at the rear of a vehicle for the attachment of a safety chain or cable shall be insecurely fastened, missing, cracked, broken or excessively worn.
http://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900611#BK8
And EACH chain shall be capable of stopping /holding the total weight of the trailers, this normally means 1/2" chain and hooks on a utility trailer.....kinda large and heavy.
Here's a guide to help with that. A new trailer should have the proper chains from the manufacturer however if you're replacing or making a home made trailer this guide will help. Grade of chain plays a big roll:Quote:
Originally Posted by patvetzal
I can use good 1/4" - 5/16 " chain, but need 1/2" hook to get the SWL , at least from local sources, including Princess Auto...
Thanks for the chart, that's downright handy.Quote:
Originally Posted by last5oh_302