How to Keep Safety Chains from Dragging

Updated 06/21/2022 | Published 06/18/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Brophy Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitches - 5-1/2" Rise, 6" Drop - 7-1/4" Long - 3.5K

(323)

$57.93

Curt Threaded Quick Link - 7/16" Diameter - 2,640 lbs

(13)

$5.94

Question:

I am concerned that in my towing application that since this ball mount is so short, and my hitch is only 12.5inch ground to top-inner-receiver-tube, that there may not be enough length to prevent tow chains from dipping to acutely and dragging on the road surface. Is this an issue, regularly?

asked by: Jacob D

Expert Reply:

Safety chains dragging is a common issue and concern and we do offer a solution for this problem. You will want the Quick Links - 7/16" Diameter - Qty 2 item # C82931 to shorten your chains so they don't drag the ground. You want to make sure you don't shorten them too much and restrict your turning capacity. I can not give you a more accurate answer because there are so many variables. How long your chains are, how far back your chain hangers are, the elevation change you will be going over, bumps in the road, pot holes. All of these could cause your chains to drag the ground. The best way to figure out if you need to shorten your chains will be to hook your trailer up and drive through town or go over some bumpy roads. If you have drag marks on your safety chains you will want to see how many links are scratched and then use the quick links to get that much slack out of the chains.

The Brophy Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitches item # BM96 will give you a 6 inch rise but doesn't change the mounting point from your hitch's hangers but the height difference could also use up some slack in the safety chains.

expert reply by: Jerred H