Where to place safety chain hooks for GN trailer???

[Ralph Bauer]

Don't have a spot to hook my safety chains onto when pulling the new GN. (Hitch is hide-a-way, on a closed piece of channel iron, about 1.5 "x 10, welded across the beams, under the bed, whole cut into bed for hitch). Thinking about drilling into the channel iron and installing a closed hook, drilling hole for each into bed, just like for the hide-a-way. Any ideas on material, source, design? Thanks in advance! Ralph.
 

[d beatty]

Ralph you didn't say if your GN had a ball or a king pin. If your using a king pin you don't need safety chains. If you have a ball hitch the dealer your buying from should be able to tell you the best location for hooking chains.
 

[mkirsch]

Technically, if it has a king pin it's a 5th wheel.

The B&W uses two U-bolts that are spring loaded to pull down into the corrugations of the bed floor. I would do that.
 

[rustyfarmall]

[Ralph Bauer]

Ball, and yes, we talked about the setup I described in this post, just wanted some more opinions on it. Thank you.
 

[JOHNNYfromMI]

Fifth wheel chains are not needed.
Gooose neck (ball hitch) need chains. Where to hook then is something you need to do Find a good solid place fairly close to the ball so you will have no problems when making sharp turns.
 

[VicS]

I have a home-made hitch also. I just use a short chain with a ring in one end and a hook in the other. My Ford has tie-downs in the front bed corners. I hook the chain to one of them. then hook breakaway cable and safety chains to the ring. Has passed road side safety inspection. The spring loaded U bolts are neatest. Vic
 

[gatchelguy]

Used to pull a gooseneck before D O T became so rampant. Ball was on the frame 6" below the diamond plate deck. Had a trapdoor to access the ball and connections. Didn't have a chain.If the hitch came off the ball in that hole it wasn't going anywhere.
 

[Ralph Bauer]

Hmmm, sure would safe a lot of trouble drilling... I know that if the trailer comes off the ball, you really want the whole dan. thing to go and not to start dangling from safeties...., might put a chain from the left to the right hook, with ring in the middle and hook both safeties to that ring. Might have to take out the deep aluminum toolbox, I think it is a bit in the way.
Still looking at the spring loaded U bolts to put in the deck, too.
My wife is friends with wife of a trooper that's W&B with OHP, could always ask him, but then the cat's out of the bag...so to speak...lol.
 

[willie in mn]

Ralph
I sure hope you didn't mean what it says when you stated that you wanted the whole thing to go & not dangle from the safeties. Maybe I read it wrong. If I read it wrong, my sincere apology.
Chains aren't just to look fancy. When properly secured & of the correct length, chains will prevent the gooseneck from touching the sides, front, or tailgate of the truck. In case of coming off the ball, a properly attached break-away lanyard will activate the trailer brakes before the chains take over.
You definitely don't want the trailer to come loose, cross into oncoming traffic & kill a bunch of people. A few dents in truck box is a lot cheaper.
I have seen too many trailers get away because of improper hitches, weak chains, & no brake controls. Several years ago a friend hit an oncoming trailer that broke away. Killed his wife & put him in hospital for over 6 months.
Again, if I read your comment wrong, I apologize.
End of rant.
Willie
 

[Ralph Bauer]

Red my post again,Willie, yes, forgot the "smiley/roll".... Sorry, it sure does sound like I WANT the GN to just go... Was pretty tired last nite and should have gone to bed way earlier (20:41 WDT, am in CDT which makes it 22:41....)
Thanks for the reply. Ralph in OK.
 

[souNdguy]

mine has spring loaded u bolts.. I like them..
 

[Ralph Bauer]

Talked with my blacksmith in Willow,OK yesterday afternoon, we'll either put some spring loaded u bolts in the bed or some round hooks (either removable or fold down) gotta compare designs, strength, price, etc.)
Ralph in Oklahoma.
 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I have 2 forged eye bolts on either side of the ball for the chains. They unscrew when not in use to have a flat bed floor.
 

[Ralph Bauer]

What size do you use? lbs. rating? Source to buy? Thanks, Ralph.