Smartphone, tablet logging apps no longer require printing or manual signatures

Yes. Lol
The purpose of the safety chains is to hold the trailer under control when it comes off the ball.
When they are crossed, they cradle the tongue instead of providing a nice swing for it.
So it is a safety issue, more so on a bumper pull, but it will affect a gooseneck as well. (And the same law applies to all ball-style hitches, at least in some states, so while it may not be as important for a gooseneck, it is still the law.)

It is the same reason for requiring 2 safety chains, and if they aren't crossed, it defeats the purpose.

 

Yeah, it makes sense on a bumper pull as they will cradle the hitch but it seems like the effect would be marginal at best on a gooseneck. It would be going backwards, not down. Crossing them on a gooseneck does seem like a good way to get them caught in the gap between the neck and the bed, which would compromise their integrity.

The bumper pull law was the one they used though, as its technically a ball and socket connection. Even Mr Arcane Law in NY didn't say anything about that and instead said nice job on the breakaway hookup. I think the way breakaways are supposed to be secured is problematic too but what do I know. Windmills still confuse me

 

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs...ype=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=49&sctn=5&subsctn=0

(d) Safety chains.--Whenever two vehicles are connected by a ball-and-socket type hitch, or pintle hook without a locking device, they shall also be connected by two safety chains of equal length, each safety chain having an ultimate strength at least equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicles. The safety chains shall be crossed and connected to the towed and towing vehicle and to the tow bar so as to prevent the tow bar from dropping to the ground in the event the tow bar fails or becomes disconnected. The safety chains shall have no more slack than is necessary to permit proper turning.

 

That's the one. Now if someone could just point out the tow bar on a gooseneck trailer for me so I can connect the safety chains to it, that'd be great.

 

I print my logs off my phone, I use a cheap black and white HP laser printer that creates its own wireless network it actually works really good.

 

I actually did that for awhile. I was hoping to eliminate the need for a cable cuz they're not easy to shop for in a semi. And leave the printer on so i wouldn't have to power it up every time i needed it. But that wasn't a good idea. The electrical surges from starting truck up actually wigged my printer out for a couple of days. I came home for the weekend and bought a new printer. The old one started working again after having the batteries turned off. It had it's moments while i was OTR but 6 years later. I"m local now and it was still working when i cleaned out the truck. Pretty impressed for a $25 printer in a package deal with the laptop. Bought em both just to come back OTR. Laptop didn't make it past the first year but the printer still chugged along.

The only drawback to wireless printing. NO CELL SIGNAL. Not hotspot for the wireless network to work. So i stuck with the cable. To which the printer has the second cable. The first one lasted 3 years i think it was.

 

If it is an Ball/Socket on the GN then the law applies. I think the law was written before GN's to Pickups was popular. I Googled this and many links show that some have added rings to their beds to hook the chains to.

Unless the hitch has a locking bolt and pin, (fifthwheel and kingpin) safety chain are required by federal law. A ball and socket set-up is not a locking bolt and pin, therefore you must use chains.

If it does not have chains, then I suggest you contact a trailer business and see how they could attach them. I understand that a lot of GN's do not come with them, but unless the GN is a 5th wheel type, it is required to have safety chains.

You are just stuck in an odd part of the regulations here.

 

Sarcasm, friend lol sorry. No, I have safety chains of the appropriate rating that are hooked to U bolts in the bed, which are ultimately connected to the frame. Not crossed and they never will be. My point was, there isn't a tow bar on a gooseneck because its a different type of trailer and that law shouldn't apply (in theory).

The part about a lock is also a bit confusing because even the dinkiest of bumper pull trailers have a locking mechanism, most of which you can run a pin through. I've yet to see a trailer manufactured where you just set it on the ball and hope for the best.

 

Put a 1-7/8" ball on and then connect a trailer with a 2-5/16" socket. Run the pin on the top... trailer will come off the ball.

The law does need to be revised that is for sure. The crossover of the chains was written for a ball behind the vehicle, not a GN in a bed.

I would take pictures of the set up and write for that district in which the ticket was issued and nicely word a letter showing the law and how it does not apply to GN's and crossing of the chains.

The LEO was simply following what the law applies.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs...ype=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=49&sctn=5&subsctn=0

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/contact.cfm?body=S

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/contact.cfm?body=H

 

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-hitch-signals/