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Why do drivers cross safety chains under the hitch when towing with a pintle hook or ball hitch?
- A.Crossed chains cradle the tongue if it comes off the hitch and keep it from digging into the road
- B.Chains are crossed so they can steer the trailer
- C.Crossed chains carry the trailer's braking air
- D.Crossing makes the chains shorter for looks
Correct answer
A. Crossed chains cradle the tongue if it comes off the hitch and keep it from digging into the road
Why
If the coupling fails, crossed chains catch the tongue before it poles into the pavement and flips or spears the tow vehicle. They still need enough slack for turns, so the cradle is a safety net, not a tight net.
Manual topic: Combination Vehicles - Towing Couplings · From the General Knowledge practice bank (GK-145).