Should Safety Chains Hook to a Trailer Hitch from the Top or Bottom

Updated 05/22/2026 | Published 04/01/2014

Question:

which way should you attach the hook to the trailer, from the bottom up or from the top down, i have heard that from the bottom up it has more strength on a wider part of the hook

asked by: David

Expert Reply:

I have seen it done both ways. Ultimately, the important thing is to make sure the chains are crossed beneath the trailer tongue so if the trailer pops off of the ball the cables will catch the tongue and keep it off of the ground.

Since the Curt hook, # C81970, has the keeper on it, the chains would not fall off if you hooked them to the hitch from underneath.

expert reply by: Michael H

Robert

5/22/2026

Yes. I agree from the bottom, with open throat of hook ‘up’. That’s the way we did it in my 40 years of construction; ironworker. Oddly, on zBlue Ox’s website, they show their cables installed one way on the truck/RV, and the other way on the vehicle being towed! I guess that makes sense if you’re not sure…