5th whls, goose necks, safety chains

[89dually]

Here is a question that I've thought about many times. Why do goose neck trailers have safety chains, but 5th wheel rv's do not. I have not come up with a good reason myself so I have always added safety chains to my 5th wheel units, even my 2955RL. It just makes me feel a little more at ease to know that there is a back up there in case of a hitch (or owner) failure.

[8.1al]

I'm not sure of the reasoning but most states require safety chains for goosenecks but not 5th wheels. For whatever reason they must figure something on the gooseneck setup such as the ball is more likely to break. Of course that doesn't cover the owner failure you mentioned does it?

[Montana_1240]

Do goosenecks have breakaway switches?

If not, that may be a reason.

Steve

[trukdoc]

Here in Texas, breakaway switches are required on a Gooseneck trailer.

[panhandlevern]

In many states anything pulled with a ball hitch is required to have safety chains. So a fifth wheel would not require chains.

[Montana_1240]

I appreciate the info on goosenecks.

I thought at one time that I heard it said somewhere that due to the method of connecting a fifth-wheel, chains weren't required.

But I know my memory.

At least I think I know it.

But I may have forgotten!


Steve