Hooking chains to vehicle

While searching the web I found this bit of information that I thought was important for everyone to know.

The hooks should be connected through the bottom of the fastening toward the travel trailer so the opening of the hook faces the trailer instead of facing the ground.

The information was from someone with good credentials:
 
I am degreed in both law and civil engineering, a member of several safety organizations and an expert in accident reconstruction, accident investigation, highway safety design, motor vehicle crash analysis and legal procedure. As such I am called on by law enforcement agencies, courts, insurance companies and lawyers to determine the cause of accidents involving loss of life or serious injury. Minor accidents does not justify the expense of my going across country to check a fender bender. I have over 35 years experience in this field.

Also if the chains are too long, twist them a few times to take up the slack.

Long ago (long, long, ago), my grandfather taught me to always hook safety chains to the vehicle from the bottom - the free end of the s-hook up through the hole, as opposed to just hoking them over on the top.  Its less likely that the tow chain will bounce out of the hole.

But, the safety chains that are on my r-pod have spring-closures and there isn't much danger of them bouncing out.  So, I just clip them on from the top and go.  And, as tedbear said,  always criss-cross the chains.

Every has slightly different requirements based on their opinion on how it should be safely rigged.   The cross chain setup is required in most all states.  Some states have additional requirements.   In washington state the amount of slack on each chain must be the same.  And the chains are supposed to be short enough that the trailer tongue will not hit the ground if it comes off the ball.