Trailer coupler

[bcp]

Some states don't allow safety chains to be welded.

Here is the first one I found:
: Texas Administrative Code

4) Safety chains must be attached to either side of the tongue or connecting apparatus of the towed vehicle, equidistant forward and aft of the hitch or connector. They shall not be directly welded to the towed vehicle, but rather shall be connected by means of bolts, pins, or other secure connecting methods, that meet necessary strength requirements.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Some safety chains are weldable, some aren't. Usually the links will be stamped or there will be a tag attached to it.

 

[Arc weld]

I have two links welded on each chain on my trailer and I can understand why some people shouldn't even try welding safety chains but I think my trailer would rip apart before the safety chains failed. Having said that, my dad worked for a company in the 80's that had a trailer specially built by a custom trailer outfit. The safety chains were welded on. I happened to be at the shop and was going to help load the trailer. Another guy hooked the trailer on a truck without latching the ball, just to move the trailer 40' closer to the shop door. There was a little dip in the pavement and the trailer came off. The truck was moving about 1 MPH and the safety chains ripped off like they were stuck on with bubble gum. There wasn't even a bang or snap sound. It looked they were welded on with a tiny overhead pass of 3/32" 6010. The slag wasn't even cleaned off before painting. I've seen a lot of bad welds and poor workmanship but that had to be about the worst considering it was done at a specialty trailer shop that also built custom semi-trailers!