? about safety cables

[Lee Brumbaugh]

About five days ago I purchased my first boat - a Tracker Targa 17 WT w/ a 90hp ELPTO Merc. The Trailstar trailer came with the new-style safety cables instead of chains, which I like. However, try as I may I cannot find in owner's manual anything about crossing the cables like you cross the chains to prevent the hitch from hitting the ground if it disconnects from the ball. When I picked it up from the dealer the guy giving me the walk-thru installed them to my truck straight instead of crossed. Anyone offer any help?



Thanks,



Ranger413

 

[Brian Bell2]

I do not cross the new cables on my setup. I used to however with the chains on my last trailer.

 

[Larry Harp]

Are the cables long enough to cross and still allow you to make tight turns? If so, I would go ahead and cross them. Why not?



Harpo

 

[Christopher Laurencio]

I cross mine, when I picked up my boat from the delaer he told me to cross them.

 

[Bill Kish2]

My dealer told me not to cross them.

 

[Texas Transplant]

My boat trailers has steel cables, not chains. I used to always cross the chains, but I don't cross the cables. The steel cables on my trailer are somewhat 'coiled' and have a plastic coating over them.



I found the comment interesting that the reason you crossed the chains, was to keep the trailer tounge from hitting the pavement, in case of a disconnect. Is that correct?



Most of the time, I've found that the chains are loose enough (they have to be loose enough to allow for tight turns)that if the tounge came off the ball, it would hit the ground regardless.



Comments?



Tex

 

[Ken Neeley]

It may or may not hit the ground. If the tongue disconnects, the trailer will be further away from the vehicle(theoretically) and the crossed chain would then keep her up....but in reality,the cables/chains are there as a last resort to prevent your rig from passing you on the highway by hopefully keeping it attached to your vehicle.

 

[Richard Whittemore]

I would think that crossing the chains or cables would lessen the left and right drift of the tongue/trailer if the trailer ever did disconnect. Perhaps increasing control and decreasing the possibility of a trailer rollover via violent fishtailing. That in my opinion would be the only reason for crossing. Something is going to take a beating no matter what you prefer.