BCMI Trailer Rental

10/12/2026

Trailer Safety: Where Should the Breakaway Cable Be Attached?

We've spent the last few weeks discussing trailer hitches, safety chains and the importance of properly securing a trailer to its tow vehicle.

But there's another important safety device on trailers equipped with electric brakes: the emergency breakaway system.

The breakaway system is designed to activate the trailer's brakes if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle.

However, its effectiveness depends on more than simply having a cable attached.

Here's this week's question:

Where should the trailer's breakaway cable be attached?
A. To one of the safety chains
B. To the hitch ball mount
C. To a suitable, independent attachment point on the tow vehicle
D. Anywhere convenient, provided the cable cannot drag

And here's something else to consider: Should the breakaway cable be shorter or longer than the safety chains?

Tell us what you think and why.

We'll discuss the answers on Wednesday.

Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.

10/09/2026

Trailer Safety: Which Way Should the Safety-Chain Hooks Face?

Earlier this week we asked whether safety-chain hooks should be connected to the tow vehicle from the top down or from the bottom up.

Here's the interesting part:

The law generally doesn't specify hook orientation.

Federal requirements and the laws we've reviewed in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois address the secondary connection, its strength and attachment—but they don't tell you that a conventional safety-chain hook must face up or down.

At BCMI, our preferred practice is bottom up when the hook and receiver design allow it.

Why?

With the hook inserted upward through the receiver's safety-chain loop, gravity tends to keep the hook seated in the body of the hook rather than encouraging it toward the opening. A properly functioning latch provides another layer of security.

It's also worth remembering that a primary hitch connection doesn't have to structurally break for the trailer to separate. Something as simple as coupling a trailer to the wrong-size hitch ball, failing to fully seat the coupler, or failing to properly secure the coupler latch can allow the primary connection to come apart.

That's exactly why the backup systems matter.

Safety-chain hooks should be correctly rated, undamaged, fully seated and compatible with the receiver's attachment points. Cross the chains beneath the trailer tongue and provide enough slack for full articulation without allowing them to drag.

And before moving the trailer, verify the ball size, coupler engagement and latch rather than assuming that because the trailer is sitting on the ball, it's securely connected.

A safety chain is a backup you hope you'll never need—but if the primary connection fails, the details suddenly matter.

Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.

10/07/2026

Trailer Safety: How Strong Should Your Safety Chains Be?

On Monday, we asked:

If a trailer has a 7,000 lb GVWR, how strong should its safety chains be?

The answer is a little more complicated than simply dividing 7,000 lb between two chains.

Safety-chain requirements vary depending on the trailer and jurisdiction, and you'll see different terminology used when discussing chain capacity. Working Load Limit and breaking strength are not the same thing, so simply seeing a number stamped on a chain or hook doesn't necessarily tell the whole story.

There's another important point: the chain itself is only one part of the system.

The chains, hooks or connectors, and their attachment points all have to work together. A properly rated chain doesn't accomplish much if it's attached with inadequate hardware or to an unsuitable attachment point.

That's why BCMI looks at the complete safety-chain system, not simply the diameter of the chain.

But here's our next question.

Which Way Should the Hook Go?

When you attach the safety-chain hooks to the tow vehicle's receiver, should they be hooked:

⬇️ From the top down?
or
⬆️ From the bottom up?

And here's the interesting part:

Does the law actually tell you which way the hook has to face?

👇 Tell us which way you connect yours—and, more importantly, why.

We'll answer that Friday.

Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.

10/05/2026

Trailer Safety: Are Your Safety Chains Strong Enough?

Last week we looked at how safety chains should be connected. This week we're looking at something just as important:

Are the chains themselves actually strong enough for the trailer they're protecting?

Safety chains are the backup connection if the primary hitch connection fails. In that situation, they may suddenly be asked to restrain thousands of pounds of trailer and cargo.

And chain size alone doesn't necessarily tell you how strong a chain is. Chain grade, rating, hooks and attachment points all matter. A safety system is ultimately only as strong as its weakest component. Purdue Extension likewise emphasizes breaking strength, proper attachment and the “weakest link” when selecting trailer safety chains.

Monday's Safety Question

Imagine you're towing a trailer with a 7,000 lb GVWR and it has two safety chains.

How strong should those safety chains be?

Is 7,000 lb of combined capacity enough? Should each chain be capable of handling 7,000 lb? Or is there another standard we should be looking at?

👇 Tell us what you think in the comments.

On Wednesday we'll give you the answer—and look at the difference between working load limit, breaking strength and the actual legal requirements.

Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.

Keep The Trailer Connected to The Truck

10/02/2026

Trailer Safety: Safety Chains — Small Detail, Important Backup

This week we've been talking about one of the simplest—but most important—parts of connecting a trailer: the safety chains.

Safety chains provide a secondary connection between the trailer and tow vehicle if the primary hitch connection fails.

So what does a good setup look like?

Cross the chains beneath the trailer tongue.

Crossing the chains creates a cradle beneath the tongue. If the coupler separates from the hitch, properly connected chains can help keep the tongue from dropping directly onto the roadway, giving the driver a better opportunity to maintain control and bring the combination to a safe stop.

Leave enough slack for the trailer to turn freely—but no more than necessary.
There isn't one universal number of inches that works for every trailer and tow vehicle. The chains need enough slack to allow full normal articulation without binding or becoming tight, but they should not be so long that they drag on the roadway or hang excessively low.

Keep the chains off the ground.
Chains dragging on pavement can wear surprisingly quickly, weakening the very backup system they're intended to provide.

And remember: proper routing doesn't make an underrated or damaged chain safe. Chain strength, hooks and attachment points matter too. We'll be taking a closer look at that in an upcoming Trailer Safety post.

Before pulling away, take a few seconds to check the entire connection: coupler locked, safety chains properly connected, breakaway cable attached when equipped, wiring connected, jack fully raised, lights and brakes checked, and wheel chocks removed when you're ready to leave.

A good trailer connection isn't complicated—but every part has a job to do.

Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.

09/30/2026

Trailer Safety: Why Cross the Chains?

On Monday, we asked:

Why should safety chains be crossed underneath the trailer tongue rather than simply connected straight from the trailer to the tow vehicle?

Several of you may already know the answer.

Crossing the chains creates a cradle underneath the trailer tongue.

If the primary hitch connection fails and the coupler comes off the ball, properly connected crossed chains can help support the tongue rather than allowing it to drop directly onto the roadway. That can give the driver a much better opportunity to maintain control and bring the vehicle and trailer to a safe stop.

But simply crossing the chains isn't enough.

They also need the right amount of slack.

Too little, and the chains can bind or restrict the trailer as the vehicle turns.

Too much, and they may drag on the roadway or provide far less support if the primary connection fails.

Wednesday's Safety Question

So how much slack should you leave in your trailer's safety chains?

Is there a particular measurement, or is there a better way to determine whether they're adjusted correctly?

👇 Tell us what you think in the comments.

We'll post the answer on Friday.

Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.

09/28/2026

Trailer Safety: Why Cross Your Safety Chains?

Most people who tow know that a trailer should have safety chains.

But have you ever stopped to think about why we're taught to cross them underneath the trailer tongue?

Safety chains are the trailer's secondary connection to the tow vehicle. If the primary hitch connection fails or becomes disconnected, those chains may be the only thing keeping the trailer connected to the tow vehicle. Federal regulations for the trailers they cover similarly require secondary safety devices arranged to keep the tow bar from dropping to the ground following a failure or disconnection.

At BCMI Trailer Rental, crossing the safety chains beneath the tongue will be part of our standard hitching procedure when the trailer and hitch configuration are designed for it.

Monday's Safety Question
Why should the safety chains be crossed underneath the trailer tongue rather than simply connected straight from the trailer to the tow vehicle?

👇 Put your answer in the comments.

We'll give you the answer on Wednesday — and have another trailer-safety question for you.

And here's a hint: there's a very practical reason for doing it.

Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.

Read 49 CFR 393.70: Coupling devices and towing methods, except for… in the current eCFR, with source notes and navigation. Updated through Sep. 24, 2026.

09/25/2026

Trailer Safety: Why Towing Level Matters
Having the correct-size hitch ball is important—but it doesn't necessarily mean the trailer is properly set up for towing.

Tow vehicles come in different heights, and so do trailer couplers. A ball mount that works perfectly with one vehicle and trailer combination may leave another trailer sitting noticeably nose-high or nose-low.

Ideally, a trailer should sit reasonably level when loaded and connected to the tow vehicle.
Why does that matter?

A properly set-up trailer helps maintain appropriate weight distribution between the trailer axles and tow vehicle, keeps suspension and tires working as intended, and contributes to more predictable handling and braking.
This is also why we're planning to make appropriately rated adjustable hitches available with BCMI trailer rentals.

Rather than assuming the fixed-height ball mount a customer already owns will happen to match the trailer, an adjustable hitch allows the ball height to be matched more closely to the trailer and tow vehicle combination.

Of course, hitch height is only one part of a safe towing setup. The tow vehicle, receiver, hitch, ball, and other components must all be appropriately rated for the trailer and intended load.

For someone who only occasionally needs a trailer, we don't think purchasing several different ball mounts should be a prerequisite for renting one.

It's another small detail we're working through now as we build BCMI Trailer Rental—and another way we hope to make the rental process more straightforward for our customers.

BCMI Trailer Rental
Berrien Center, Michigan
Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.

09/23/2026

Trailer Safety: Unhitching — Safety Chains Come Off Last

Just as there's a sensible order for hitching a trailer, there's a sensible order for disconnecting one.

At BCMI Trailer Rental, our recommended unhitching procedure is:

1. Park on firm, reasonably level ground and secure the tow vehicle.
2. Chock the trailer wheels before beginning the unhitching process.
3. Disconnect and properly stow the electrical connection.
4. Lower the trailer jack until it is firmly supporting the trailer tongue.
5. Release the coupler and raise it completely clear of the hitch ball.
6. Disconnect and properly stow the breakaway cable, when equipped.
7. Disconnect the safety chains last.

Why leave the safety chains connected until the end?

Until the trailer is properly supported and secured against movement, the chains provide a secondary physical connection between the trailer and tow vehicle.

The wheel chocks are equally important. The trailer jack supports the tongue—it doesn't prevent the trailer from rolling.

Once everything is disconnected, take a final look before moving the tow vehicle. Make sure the trailer is stable and that the safety chains, wiring, and breakaway cable are safely stowed and won't drag on the ground.

A few extra moments spent following a consistent procedure can prevent a much bigger problem.

BCMI Trailer Rental
Berrien Center, Michigan
Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.

09/21/2026

Trailer Safety: Hitching Up — The Order Matters
Hitching a trailer isn't simply a matter of lowering the coupler onto the ball.

Following the same sequence every time helps prevent missed steps and reduces the chance of the trailer moving unexpectedly.

At BCMI Trailer Rental, our recommended hitching procedure is:

1. Chock the trailer wheels so the trailer cannot roll while you're working around it.
2. Connect the safety chains to the tow vehicle. This establishes a secondary connection before the trailer's tongue weight is transferred from the jack.
3. Lower the coupler onto the hitch ball, latch it securely, and verify that it is fully seated and locked.
4. Connect the breakaway cable, when equipped. It should be attached independently of the safety chains.
5. Connect the trailer wiring.
6. Raise and fully stow the trailer jack.
7. Perform a final walk-around. Check the coupler, safety chains, breakaway cable, wiring, tires, lights, and load securement.
8. Test the lights and trailer brakes, when equipped.
9. Remove the wheel chocks only when you're ready to leave.

Safety chains should be crossed beneath the trailer tongue, with enough slack to allow the tow vehicle and trailer to turn freely, but not so much that they drag on the road.

We also recognize that many people who only occasionally tow a trailer may not own all of the equipment needed to do it properly. That's why we're planning for wheel chocks and an appropriately rated adjustable hitch to be available with BCMI rentals, along with basic load-securement equipment appropriate for the trailer.

Good towing starts before the trailer ever moves.

BCMI Trailer Rental
Berrien Center, Michigan
Dependable Equipment. Straightforward Service.