response to "trailering"
<<Place chain binders, ratchet or toggle, on each of the front chains and
tighten up the chains. You should see the rear end squat down a bit, and
the front tires squish a bit. All four chains should be straight and
tight.>>
I can't remember where I heard long ago that if ya wanna get all the chains
straight and tight, let some air out of the tires, then tighten them as best
you can, then drive by the local filling station and refill the tires, which
will really tighten the chains. Just be careful, you can generate a whole
heck of a lot of force this way (pneumatic jack). Also, the reason that
chains 'relax' in the first 1/2 hour is that they bind up, during
tightening, without the links in the fully extended position. Once you get
some tension in the chains, whack it every foot or two with a pipe or
broomstick and they'll settle, and 'relax' a lot less.
And another suggestion, if you're tow vehicle is so high (or towable so low)
that you can't see the back corners of the trailer when backing, stick a
broom stick or flag or something in the right-rear corner when backing, so
you can tell when the trailer goes whompus. The mirrors won't tell you in
time unless you tow something every week.
(mental remnants of growing up in California central valley, agriculture
production and homemade trailers everywhere)
Fergus O'Farrell
69 2000
Huntington Beach
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