Re D Shackles again

Olley46 · Guru

Re D Shackles again

way2gokev · Senior Member

G'day

Well I would go for the strongest, better to be safe with over kill.

Cheers

Kev

brickies · Guru

All States and Territories require the use of safety chains. Safety chains must be strong enough to hold the trailer should the trailer coupling accidentally disconnect, and comply with the appropriate Australian Standard. Trailers up to 2500 kg ATM are required to have one safety chain while trailers from 2,500kg to 3,500kg must be fitted with two safety chains. The D shackle used to connect the safety chain to the vehicles tow bar must have a load rating equivalent to that of the safety chain.

This is taken from RACQ website on there section on towing

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Be aware that the breaking load of a rated D shackle is 5 times its nominal rating.

Cheers,
Peter

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I can I ask a really dumb question hmm

If my van has a ball weight 265kg surely this is about weight that will "fall" onto the chains. Having fallen to the chains then the BrakeSafe would (should) kick in and begin to brake the van. As soon as the BrakeSafe kicks in the full load of the van, on the chains/shackles would begin to dissipate ... hmm cry

Are we all certain that the full 2,600kg of my van would be the weight that would 'fall' onto the chains therefore the shackles?

"Be aware that the breaking load of a rated D shackle is 5 times its nominal rating.'

If a shackle is rated at 3.5tonne does this mean the breaking load of that shackle is 17.5tonnes (3.5 X 5?)? Would that therefore mean a shackle rated at 700kg would be sufficient for a 3.5tonne load?

I am SOOOO confused hmm

Cheers - John

herbie · Guru

This is why i am so confused about all this also/...Just dosn't equate weight to weight in my way of thinking.

Olley46 · Guru

rockylizard wrote:

Gday...
I can I ask a really dumb question
If my van has a ball weight 265kg surely this is about weight that will "fall" onto the chains. Having fallen to the chains then the BrakeSafe would (should) kick in and begin to brake the van. As soon as the BrakeSafe kicks in the full load of the van, on the chains/shackles would begin to dissipate ...
Are we all certain that the full 2,600kg of my van would be the weight that would 'fall' onto the chains therefore the shackles?
"Be aware that the breaking load of a rated D shackle is 5 times its nominal rating.'
If a shackle is rated at 3.5tonne does this mean the breaking load of that shackle is 17.5tonnes (3.5 X 5?)? Would that therefore mean a shackle rated at 700kg would be sufficient for a 3.5tonne load?
I am SOOOO confused
Cheers - John

Your brake safe breaks won't operate until your van has left the tow vehicle and chains are broken,but (IF)the breaking strain of the D Shackles are 5 times the rated shackles and you have 3 tonne D Shackles on a 2.5 tonne caravan I can't see them breaking, it wasent me that quoted 5 times breaking, maybe the chains will break first.

Lance C