Could Trailer Safety Chains Attach to the Inside of a Trailer Coupler Channel

Updated 05/29/2015 | Published 05/27/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Fulton Fold-Away Coupler Hinge Kit for 2" x 3" Trailer Tongue - Bolt On - Up to 5,000 lbs

(1031)

$129.68

Safety Chain Loop for Trailer Hitch Receivers - 10,000 lb

(76)

$6.90

Question:

I was wondering if the safety chains would be able to be mounted inside the tongue instead of outside. This would remove the need to connect them along the tongue from behind the hinge all the way to the hitch of the vehicle making it look nicer, and keep them cleaner but mainly from dragging and wearing. Does the bolt-on hinge kit allow for a safety chain loop like item E950 to be installed inside on the bolts?

asked by: Daniel

Expert Reply:

Running safety chains on a trailer on the inside of the channel would be pretty difficult as it would be hard to secure them to the inside of the channel and it would get a bit complicated where the chains come out since they would be right where the coupler attaches to the ball.

With that being said, if you can find a qualified fabricator who could securely attach safety chains/cables to the inside of your frame channel what you are asking about would be feasible.

You would just need to find a cable rated high enough to fit down in the channel that wouldn't be to thick in the channel itself.

You wouldn't want to attach the cables to any portion of the hinge part # FHDPB230101 that you referenced as the reason you want to use the cables before the hinge is for if in the unlikely case the hinge failed or slid off the trailer the cables/chains would still catch the trailer.

expert reply by: Jameson C