Fitting of safety chains

gailhayd · Member

Fitting of safety chains

Olley46 · Guru

Go down 7 posts on this page.and also welcome to the Forum.

Lance C

-- Edited by Olley46 on Wednesday 4th of June 2014 06:49:50 PM

03_troopy · Guru

There are only two posts on this page...
oops.. make that three...

Olley46 · Guru

03_troopy wrote:
There are only two posts on this page...
oops.. make that three...

On Techies corner page

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Dunno about counting posts, but yes we cross those chains!

snapper49 · Senior Member

re crossing chains
most states I think are ok with not crossing them but I do know that if you have 2 safety chains they are to be crossed if Travelling in WA
Its a legal requirement

PeterD · Guru

Olley46 wrote:
Go down 7 posts on this page.and also welcome to the Forum.

It's useless counting the position of the thread headings. They keep changing as members post to them. Open a second GN tab in your browser, open the thread you want and copy the address in the address bar.

I think this is the one you want - http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t57719670/length-of-safety-chains/

Friar Park · Senior Member

Click on search, type "safety chains" hey presto! all the threads are listed, well, all those with safety chains as subject

Friar

KevinC · Senior Member

Most folk I see cross the chains, including the Jayco dealer who services our van. I can't remember hearing any reason why the chains shouldn't be crossed.
If I was in your situation I'd ask the Jayco man why not.
I've not experimented with the geometry, but I'm thinking that crossed chains might allow a larger range of turn before they tighten up. Maybe someone here can enlighten us on that aspect. Maybe I'll have to test it myself next time I get the van connected.

bowsie1 · Veteran Member

These chains we are all talking about are not even rated for any load what so ever.

Also the chains are designed for a straight pull only so crossing the chains will

Only decrease the chains strength.

I have been a rigger for the past 30 years I can recommend that you purchase

A rated chain I.E grade 80 and bow shackles to suit.

Regards Bowsie

oldbobsbus · Guru

bowsie1 wrote:
These chains we are all talking about are not even rated for any load what so ever.
Also the chains are designed for a straight pull only so crossing the chains will
Only decrease the chains strength.
I have been a rigger for the past 30 years I can recommend that you purchase
A rated chain I.E grade 80 and bow shackles to suit.
Regards Bowsie

That's all very good to recommend someone to buy HT chains but how do they attach them?????????

If they weld them on with a mild steel rod they may just as well have put mild steel chains on in the first place.....

ozjohn · Guru

Drawbar Safety Chains

All pig trailers with rigid drawbars (with or without breakaway brakes but excluding converter dollies) and, any other trailer without breakaway brakes, must be fitted with safety chains that are marked in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard and (or cables as applicable) complying with the following:

trailers that do not exceed 2.5 tonnes ATM must have at least one safety chain complying with Australian Standard AS 4177.4-1994 or Australian Standard AS 4177.4-2004 'Caravan and light trailer towing components Part 4: Safety chains up to 3500kg capacity', or be a safety cable with a certified load capacity of the same;
trailers over 2.5 tonnes and not exceed 3.5 tonnes ATM must have two safety chains of designation of 3500 kg complying with Australian Standard AS 4177.4-1994 or Australian Standard AS 4177.42004;
trailers over 3.5 tonnes ATM must have two safety chains made from steel of a minimum 800 MPa breaking stress that conforms to the mechanical properties of Grade T chain as specified in Australian Standard AS 2321-1979 'Short Link Chain for Lifting Purposes (non calibrated)' or Australian Standard AS 2321-2006 'Short Link Chain for Lifting Purposes.' Each chain must be sized such that the minimum breaking load exceeds the ATM.

Caution
Safety chains, which have the mechanical T grade property, are not suitable for welding.

(For further information, refer to ADR 62/01 clause 14)

Drawbar Safety Chain Attachment Points

Safety chain attachment points are the means by which the safety chains are attached to the drawbar. These points must be located as near as practicable to the tow coupling. Where two points of attachment are required, they must be mounted one on either side of the centreline of the drawbar.
Each safety chain attachment point must be capable of withstanding the following minimum forces without incurring either any residual deformation that would interfere or degrade the function of the assembly, or any breaks, cracks or separation of components:

Longitudinal tension and compression (N) 1.5 x 9.81 x ATM (in kg)

Vertical tension and compression (N) 0.5 x 9.81 x ATM (in kg).

(For further information, refer to ADR 62/01 clause 14)

Caution
Load levelling bars should only be used with towbars designed for load levelling. Very high forces can be generated when the vehicle and trailer combination travels through dips in the roadway. These high forces may exceed the design limits of the towbar and or its mountings.

Caution
Drawbar safety chain attachment points should not come into contact with the road surface when the trailer is disconnected.

KevinC · Senior Member

bowsie1 wrote:
These chains we are all talking about are not even rated for any load what so ever.
Also the chains are designed for a straight pull only so crossing the chains will
Only decrease the chains strength.
I have been a rigger for the past 30 years I can recommend that you purchase
A rated chain I.E grade 80 and bow shackles to suit.
Regards Bowsie
Thats all well and good, but we get the chains the manufacturers choose to supply and we trust they get it right.
But the OP was asking about crossing or not. I tend to think that when the van has become detached and is flogging around like a balloon on a string, there won't be any such thing as a straight pull. If there's any chance that crossed chains may help prevent the A frame kissing the tar, then crossed has my vote.

snapper49 · Senior Member

from western Australia towing guide

Trailers or caravans up to and including 2,500kg must be fitted

with at least one safety chain for connection to the towing

vehicle. Trailers or caravans over 2,500kg must be fitted with two

crossed safety chains

http://www.ors.wa.gov.au/Documents/Road-Rules/ors-road-craft-towing

snapper49 · Senior Member

Cant see that any other state has it but as you can see from my previous post if you 2 chains fitted its a requirement to cross them in WA

ozjohn · Guru

snapper49 wrote:
Cant see that any other state has it but as you can see from my previous post if you 2 chains fitted its a requirement to cross them in WA

Not just WA, but NSW also require chains to be crossed when 2 are fitted.
Can't find any similar regulations along that line though for any other State.
Cheers, ozjohn.

Haji-Baba · Senior Member

Both Snapper 49 and ozjohn are on the money two chains on trailer over 2.5 tonnes must be crossed. Emphasis on must.
W.A. and N.S.W.

The site posted by Snapper is where to go to get that info and much more.

The directions are some what confusing when statements/words "should and may" are used in some directions for towing.

Have a look at the rules for tying down or securing a load and you will see what I mean.

Some of the wording was or is very ambiguous.

Or was last time I looked.

Also have a look at the Australian Design Rules pertaining to "Towing Vehicles Tare Mass" and the corresponding weight of the towed trailer.

I am of the opinion that is why some of the accidents to caravanners are happening.

Just have a look at the size of some of the tow vehicles attached to enormous vans.

All good stuff.

Have fun Haji-Baba.