Trailer chain configuration

[FF117]

Check with your local fire dept. They may have some laying around, but used hose has become harder to find over the past several years. New hose is synthetic and stays in service longer than the old cotton hose.

 

[wolfpack2]

You can also buy tubular webbing for this purpose.

TrucknTow - Cordura Wear Pads

 

[edlegault]

Regardless of what state/federal laws and regulations are, the use of only one chain/strap in the rear and only one in the front can let the tractor or other vehicle slide side to side. Four separate chains/straps when tightened down properly keep the tractor from moving forward/reverse AND side to side. You do not want your pride and joy moving over to one side and causing a tire blow out and then tipping the trailer.

 

[DT86]

Regardless of what state/federal laws and regulations are, the use of only one chain/strap in the rear and only one in the front can let the tractor or other vehicle slide side to side. Four separate chains/straps when tightened down properly keep the tractor from moving forward/reverse AND side to side. You do not want your pride and joy moving over to one side and causing a tire blow out and then tipping the trailer.

You must drive like a bat out of h*ll.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Regardless of what state/federal laws and regulations are, the use of only one chain/strap in the rear and only one in the front can let the tractor or other vehicle slide side to side. Four separate chains/straps when tightened down properly keep the tractor from moving forward/reverse AND side to side. You do not want your pride and joy moving over to one side and causing a tire blow out and then tipping the trailer.

Also, if one fails its coming off. Hopefully on the road and not in the bed of your truck. With 4 chains you have redundancy.
Chris

 

[lemontwist]

I always use chains/straps from the load to the trailer, never from the trailer thru the load to the trailer again. That means at least 4 points of attachment to the load. If you go with two, things tend to rub and slide and not be very secure, and also is h*ll on straps due to rubbing, regardless of size. Lessons learned the hard way.

 

[edlegault]

It also doesn't hurt (and might be required) to strap/chain down the front end loader and back hoe or other rear attachments.

 

[edlegault]

For DT86:

I grew up in a farm area, but my father and grandfather were loggers. In my youth I saw the results of others not securing various loads properly. I have seen lumber, logs, appliances, furniture, a bulldozer, a 4wd logging skidder ("tree farmer") on the side of the road after slipping their tiedowns and sliding off a trailer. It is not possible to have too many chains and straps for tiedowns.

 

[edlegault]

Most of the time you'll probably get away with only 2 chains/straps. But on a bumpy road with lots of curves, gravity and centrifugal force will get ya now and then.

 

[medic0648]

If you live in Tx 4 points + all implements must be adhered to. Only need 2 binders though. can't loop the chain/strap around and cross to the other side across the equipment. Can have 1 chain attached to 2 separate points and tied to 2 opposing sides of the trailer with 2 binders if the chain is long enough though. This is tdlr regs which sets the Tx state dot hauling/towing regs. Most dot officers won't bother you on smaller loads, but can and almost always will if something happens on the road and they see you didn't have the load secured properly.