Is this legal??

This is how we get them and send them (not my pics).

 

The reason they want the chains crossed is to prevent anything with small tires from walking on the deck.
If it was me I would have crossed the chains under the piece and kept the chains much shorter.
Front chains pulling back and back chains pulling foward.
And if you stagger the chains they won't touch.

 

That will work. Some chains have and end link, it will be slightly larger than a regular link. You will need to look at the chain.

 

This is how I set up my 3/8 chain in my headache rack.
1 slip hook and 1 grab hook.
1 end with a removable jesus clip.
All my 1/2 and 5/8 chain stays with the trailer.
And ya a cutting wheel or a hot wrench to cut your chains.

 

That's how I did it too.