I doubt it would be legat.

The laws state that attatching methods must be as strong or stronger than the chain which itself must be able to take the weight of the van both dropping onto the chains & towing that van.

Although these hooks may be rated high enough they are rated as SLING hooks which means they are for lifting, not taking the shock load of a van falling off the towbar.

My thoughts anyway.

I spoke to police in NSW and was told that you must D shackles and preferred Bow line D shackles rated at least double of the weight of the van. Anything else is not legal. I was considering the clevis hooks for ease of attaching, etc so thought I would find out what the law said. 

Also in relation to this area the chains must also be rated to take the snap weight if the tow hitch should fail and should be of a length that will not allow the A frame to reach the ground.

so hope that helps

briche

While some States highly recommend the use of suitable rated shackles there is no legislation requiring them to be used.
You can use anything you like including fencing wire, but must be able to show that each item of what ever you're using is capable of supporting at least 1.5 times the ATM of the trailer.
For me that means I used Rated Shackles and not unbranded (Unrated) shackles from various outlets including HR.
Cheers, Ozjohn.

Here's the QLD safe towing guide based on VSB1, and chain breaking strength must equal the trailer ATM (refer VSB1)

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Vehicle-standards-and-modifications/Loads-and-towing/Safe-towing.aspx

Here's the relevant info.

The length of the safety chain/s must prevent the trailers drawbar hitting the ground if the

trailer is detached from the towing vehicle. The safety chains must be properly connected to

the tow bar with attachments capable of withstanding the specified breaking load of each

chain. Do not use padlocks.

Plus

Safety chain connections (shackles, pins or bolts)

A suitable shackle is where:

the shackle is rated and complies with Australian Standard AS 2741-2002 Shackles

• • or other equivalent recognised standard; and

• • the break load limit of the shackle is rated at least 1.5 times greater than the ATM of

    the trailer.

 PS; I'VE NEVER SEEN A 4.5 TONNE RATED CLEVIS HOOK

-- Edited by Baz421 on Tuesday 18th of March 2014 12:49:10 PM

KFT wrote:

---

Hey Baz

have a look at these ones

I will have another go at the link

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Tie-Downs-Hardware/Wire-Grab-S-Hooks/1-2-Clevis-Slip-Hook-Grade-70_2

 frank

-- Edited by KFT on Tuesday 18th of March 2014 01:40:33 PM

---

 OK you got me there,,, but you will need special towbar OR a deep throat, rated D shackle to attach to vehicle would you not?

Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to be negative, just practical.

I didn't think you'd be using a crane lifting hook/chain tie down that size, in my wildest dreams (and I do have em) but you got me here,, lol.

If you buy these hooks they may not fit your existing chain on your van and you can't weld the chain you use with this hook ie it's high tensile garde 70 chain, so again you would need a rated D shackle to attach the high tensile chain to the A frame of your van, ie to the original chain link welded to the A frame.

Have you created a "monster"????

Cheers Baz

Baz421 wrote:

---

SNIP

The length of the safety chain/s must prevent the trailers drawbar hitting the ground if the

 

trailer is detached from the towing vehicle.

SNIP

 

Thanks for that Baz, but it ain't possible on most setups as the safety chain connection is placed in such a position that the chains must be long enough to allow the vehicle to turn.  I've never had one yet that doesn't hit the ground. I should add that I'm talking about cars/SUV's, not 4WD vehicles that are much higher than cars.

But I welcome advice on how to overcome this problem.

Regards

     Watched someone last week  attaching the chains on a  Camper trailer  with two of these.  No way would that take a shock load  of that camper coming off the ball.

KFT wrote:

---

Hey Baz

have a look at these ones

I will have another go at the link

http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Tie-Downs-Hardware/Wire-Grab-S-Hooks/1-2-Clevis-Slip-Hook-Grade-70_2

 frank

-- Edited by KFT on Tuesday 18th of March 2014 01:40:33 PM

---

 Firstly, these are manufactured in China and marketed in the US. It is highly unlikely that the manufacturer or marketer is even aware of Australian Standards let alone what is required to comply with them.

Secondly, I cannot see any indication of what standard these things do conform to and my experience with Chinese manufactured products doesn't give me a lot of confidence that they conform to any standard.

If you want to go down this path then at least contact an Australian supplier of these types of products that conform to Australian Standards and seek their advice about the legality of such products in the way you wish to use them.

ozjohn wrote:

---

Baz421 wrote:

---

KFT wrote:

Hey Baz
have a look at these ones
I will have another go at the linkhttp://www.uscargocontrol.com/Tie-Downs-Hardware/Wire-Grab-S-Hooks/1-2-Clevis-Slip-Hook-Grade-70_2

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Tuesday 18th of March 2014 01:40:33 PM

---

 OK you got me there,,, but you will need special towbar OR a deep throat, rated D shackle to attach to vehicle would you not?

Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to be negative, just practical.

I didn't think you'd be using a crane lifting hook/chain tie down that size, in my wildest dreams (and I do have em) but you got me here,, lol.

If you buy these hooks they may not fit your existing chain on your van and you can't weld the chain you use with this hook ie it's high tensile garde 70 chain, so again you would need a rated D shackle to attach the high tensile chain to the A frame of your van, ie to the original chain link welded to the A frame.Have you created a "monster"????Cheers Baz

---

 It's illegal to attach the chain to the A-frame of a trailer using shackles.
Ozjohn

Ref: ADR62/01
14.3.1.                          Safety chains must be permanently attached to the trailer.

14.3.1.1.                    Shackles are not permitted.

 

---

 Yep that's why I said he creating a monster,,, you know a cluster F***.

Radar wrote:

---

It wpreall y is a load of (looking for the word) is it not, the caravan come with a chain or chains. Cheers.

---

 What ?

ozjohn wrote:

---

Baz421 

If you wish to tow say 3500Kg you don't need 3.5T Rated Shackles. 
2.5T or 2T etc will suffice.
The WWL (Working Load Limit) of Rated Shackle is 6 times the Rate shown on the shackle in the case of an 'S' or '6' rating. (will be stamped or embossed on the shackle body).
In the case of an 'M' or '4' rate it is 4 times the shackle rate shown.

From memory and without looking at by data sheets the breaking load limit is around 19 time the rates shown on a 'S' or '6' rated shackle.

Travel safe us only Rated Shackles not unbranded ones or ones just showing the towbar manufacturers name.
Cheers, Ozjohn. 

---

 John on 18/3/14 I posted this quote from QLD transport.

A suitable shackle is where:

the shackle is rated and complies with Australian Standard AS 2741-2002 Shackles

• • or other equivalent recognised standard; and

• • the break load limit of the shackle is rated at least 1.5 times greater than the ATM of

    the trailer.

OK, I've read all the above but need just a bit more clarification.
Yes I use rated shackles, the gal ones with the yellow pin. Is it fair to assume that the largest shackle (pin) that will fit through the hole in the towbar will be good enough to do the job? (If I'd been making towbars I think I would've made the holes larger.)

Yuglamron wrote:

---

This is copied from the National Caravan and Recreational Vehicle Site.

 The chains attach the A frame or drawbar of the trailer to the main towbar framework on the vehicle. The attachment must be made with D shackles of equivalent strength to the chains. It is vital that the chains are attached to the main towbar framework and not to a detachable ball mount or tongue. Safety chains must be stamped with the chains capacity, the manufacturers identification and the digits 4177.

This is the main page.

 

http://www.towingguide.com.au/content/couplings.html

 

 

---

 Unfortunately a towing guide issued by a private organisation DOES NOT replace/supecede the QLD Transport bulletin I posted as this takes precedence (in QLD at least) and other states will have their own versions presumably.