Are Towing Shackles Now Regulated?

jebs · Veteran Member

RE: Are Towing Shackles Now Regulated?

Hylda&Jon · Guru

Another source of info I came across a week ago. Not sure if it has been posted yet:

D Shackle laws.jpg

snapper49 · Senior Member

Incorrect rumour towing shackles
August 8, 2014 at 1:55 pm by Sue Rewald
Bundaberg Road Policing Unit would like to advise that no rules have changed in relation to towing shackles. Additionally no related infringements have been issued.

This is an incorrect rumour currently being circulated via social media.

For more information on towing visit the Transport and Main Roads website.

A message from Bundaberg Road Policing Unit

mypolice.qld.gov.au/bundaberg/2014/08/08/incorrect-rumour-towing-shackles/

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Thanks snapper49 .... it is good to get that information posted again in this thread. Reinforces it to those who don't (or haven't) read all the posts throughout the thread.

Cheers - John

D and D · Guru

I thought this was another urban myth when I received copies in both my email and facebook pages and now here. Anyway I went and checked my shackles to find that they're not rated and while stamped with the suppliers name (Hayman Reece) they were both distorted and had been since manufacture since the bolt thread was at an angle to the shackle body and still wound in and out of the threaded section with no trouble. I went down to the local engineering supply place and bought some rated shackles at only $3:40 each - hardly seems with the grief expressed on this thread. Oh, and they only have to have a WLL of 1 tonne since the referenced standard refers to the break load limit which is 6 times the WLL.

snap1946 · Senior Member

so I can join a safety chain with a high tensile bolt

D and D · Guru

snap1946 wrote:
so I can join a safety chain with a high tensile bolt

No

Glenelg · Guru

D and D wrote:
snap1946 wrote:
so I can join a safety chain with a high tensile bolt
No

what is the answer please blankstare

Legendts · Senior Member

A hammerlok. Just google it.

D and D · Guru

Glenelg wrote:
D and D wrote:
snap1946 wrote:
so I can join a safety chain with a high tensile bolt
No
what is the answer please

The answer is No, you can't join a safety chain with a high tensile or other type of bolt. I thought that was pretty obvious. As Legendts says - use a hammerlock or replace the two bits of chain with a single continuous length.

snap1946 · Senior Member

got me confused if you read Hylda&Jon report down towards the bottom rated bolts and shackles you can
cheers snap

KeenTravellers · Veteran Member

Well Snap1946
If you think that the fittings/chains/couplings that you are using are rated as per the Aust Standards regrading "towing couplings"
and you know your insurance will cover you... then go right ahead...

Personally, I dont think anyone can be too cautious
I only use the recommended D Shackles ($4 from Supercheap -stamp rated) and the required rated chains (stamped) connected to a well
overrated towbar/ Ball with a recommended chain connection - (stamped) rated well above what I tow as a minimium.
Then I have no concerns - IF ever the worst happens ... I think its called "peace of mind"...
Cheers
KT

snap1946 · Senior Member

yr you are right good piece of mind

Baz421 · Guru

KeenTravellers wrote:
Well Snap1946
If you think that the fittings/chains/couplings that you are using are rated as per the Aust Standards regrading "towing couplings"
and you know your insurance will cover you... then go right ahead...

Personally, I dont think anyone can be too cautious
I only use the recommended D Shackles ($4 from Supercheap -stamp rated) and the required rated chains (stamped) connected to a well
overrated towbar/ Ball with a recommended chain connection - (stamped) rated well above what I tow as a minimium.
Then I have no concerns - IF ever the worst happens ... I think its called "peace of mind"...
Cheers
KT

I agree 100%. It's the peace of mind!!!

D and D · Guru

snap1946 wrote:
got me confused if you read Hylda&Jon report down towards the bottom rated bolts and shackles you can
cheers snap

The report doesn't mention high tensile bolts it refers to rated bolts which is something entirely different and I believe the rated bolt that is mentioned in the article is the bolt used with a rated shackle (the curvy bit). The low price of the proper bits of kit don't make it it worth while to mess about unless you're happy to put a multi-thousand dollar investment at risk for the sake of a couple of bucks.

03_troopy · Guru

D and D wrote:
snap1946 wrote:
got me confused if you read Hylda&Jon report down towards the bottom rated bolts and shackles you can
cheers snap
The report doesn't mention high tensile bolts it refers to rated bolts which is something entirely different and I believe the rated bolt that is mentioned in the article is the bolt used with a rated shackle (the curvy bit). The low price of the proper bits of kit don't make it it worth while to mess about unless you're happy to put a multi-thousand dollar investment at risk for the sake of a couple of bucks.

I believe the reference to bolts is for attaching chains to the the towed vehicle.

MaryJane · Senior Member

Here's what I found.....

ozjohn · Guru

And it shows a nice coloured pic of a Rated Bow Shackle while referring to it as a 'D' Shackle.

Hmmmm! Sometimes I jist shakes me noggin an walks away.

snap1946 · Senior Member

so work this one out must be better then a weld they say a weld weakens the draw bar

Madda, So is this correct??

As I went yesterday to the Dept of Transport with both the High Tensile bolt and the chain. And they said it was fine. More of an overkill if anything.

YET... On a Facebook page yesterday afternoon< I was told that all chains have to be WELDED, Not Bolted???

So go figure... So over it already. Since I seen the post about the Law change, it has cost me over $80 in 2 x 13mm 2 Tonne Shackles and Chain for a 750Kg Trailer

10377534_10201457300554217_1007047679482440077_n.jpg (103.05 kB, 960x720 - viewed 9 times.)

Pam_Chris · Veteran Member

The towbar on my Navara will not take even a 2 ton rated shackle due to the small drawbar connection. If a drawbar/vehicle is supposed to take 3 tons as is our case it will require a shackle of about 4.5 ton rating to be compliant with the recommendation (1.5x atm). The same applies to my Rodeo work vehicle which will only allow the shackle pin to attach to the bar. If towbar manufacturers who supply vehicle manufacturers can't get things right how can we lower mortals be compliant? Cj

Plendo · Guru

Please do not forget that the shackle you fit is extending your chain, and there is no point having a shackle that far exceeds the strength of your chain.

elliemike · Guru

Plendo wrote:
Please do not forget that the shackle you fit is extending your chain, and there is no point having a shackle that far exceeds the strength of your chain.

And that is "two" chains +" two" Shackles to divide the loading as well.