Bedlam
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2005
- Messages
- 1,878
Thanks Bird for that explaination.I never really considered that someone would want to chance it in a way as to have it seperate.
Trailer "safety" chains?
- Thread starter workinallthetime
- Start date
- Views: 16617
OP
workinallthetime
Veteran Member
Thats all I needed, I always cross the chains and it was only by dumb luck i found out how week these things were welded to the trailer. I have heard so many different "IMO's" on the subject their reason had become clouded to me. I have been using the trailer with the chains broke off BUT i had a short piece of grade 40 3/8 wraped through the tongue as a "just in case" deals. The county dump is between here and where I have to go alot of the time and I cant count how many trailers I have seen stuffed off into the trees over the years.
Just to clarify also I would much rather total my truck and put myself in the hospital before I would ever want to endanger someone else on the road, my trailer looks like the grapes of rath runnig down the road but the load is secure, ALL the lights work, hitch is secure, bearing is tight, and tires are right.
Tomorrow new chains get welded on!!!!
Just to clarify also I would much rather total my truck and put myself in the hospital before I would ever want to endanger someone else on the road, my trailer looks like the grapes of rath runnig down the road but the load is secure, ALL the lights work, hitch is secure, bearing is tight, and tires are right.
Tomorrow new chains get welded on!!!!
Willl
Elite Member
No, you heard wrong.
OP
workinallthetime
Veteran Member
thanks for clearing that up for me, the 10 post above just didnt quite do it Ace
Willl
Elite Member
Oops, me bad.
KMA
Did you really think they were supposed to brake away ?
KMA
Did you really think they were supposed to brake away ?
Willl
Elite Member
Pretty sure you needed an eleventh one.
To beat a dead horse (and maybe keep a thread on top for a bit longer).
Well, I can be a moron, but not an idiot -- got to test my wifes brand new horse trailers safety chains (first time I have ever 'tested' a safety chain). About 1/2 mile from the factory. One railroad crossing and a hidden bump -- and poof, the nose was on the ground. I had not inserted the carrier far enough and missed it with the pin (all my fault - the carrier I have has a really short extension in front of the pin).
It has a flip type ball mount, and the 2" ball was grinding down on the asphalt. I was really glad I ALWAYS cross my chains and use 2 chains. Uncomfortable, and I had to buy a new tongue jack (it was against the bumper as I braked). And buy new drawers (and getting her off of the ceiling involved scratches and a cattle prod).
One of the disappointments was that the breakaway cable was cut in two. Great chains though. Dumb husband will not repeat that mistake (horse woman will forever be a PITA and check EACH time I hook it all up).
I have known folks that would put plastic chain on (paint it black to not be obvious) or to even put only one chain on so that the trailer will be 'jerked to the shoulder'. RIGHT.
Well, I can be a moron, but not an idiot -- got to test my wifes brand new horse trailers safety chains (first time I have ever 'tested' a safety chain). About 1/2 mile from the factory. One railroad crossing and a hidden bump -- and poof, the nose was on the ground. I had not inserted the carrier far enough and missed it with the pin (all my fault - the carrier I have has a really short extension in front of the pin).
It has a flip type ball mount, and the 2" ball was grinding down on the asphalt. I was really glad I ALWAYS cross my chains and use 2 chains. Uncomfortable, and I had to buy a new tongue jack (it was against the bumper as I braked). And buy new drawers (and getting her off of the ceiling involved scratches and a cattle prod).
One of the disappointments was that the breakaway cable was cut in two. Great chains though. Dumb husband will not repeat that mistake (horse woman will forever be a PITA and check EACH time I hook it all up).
I have known folks that would put plastic chain on (paint it black to not be obvious) or to even put only one chain on so that the trailer will be 'jerked to the shoulder'. RIGHT.
Diamondpilot
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 16,316
- Location
- Daleville, IN
- Tractor
- Jinma 254/284 Ford 861 Powermaster at work
Glad all is ok. Just last week I had to go to the local RV dealer to get some bearing parts and there was a big commotion just 100' down the road. A brand new 5th wheel and a new Dodge Diesel were unmatted and the bed and tail gate of the truck were smashed all up. The front of the trailer was also. They were using a forklift to try to separate the two. I am guessing they forgot to latch it up once they hooked it up. Now the $100,000 question is did the business hook it up or did the customer and who is responsible.
Chris
Chris
OP
workinallthetime
Veteran Member
UPDATE:
New chain welded and bolted to to trailer, grade 40, with real hooks. The original chain was very light weight and I had scraps of the grade 40 lying around. I put real hooks on the chain unlike the light weight chains the trailer came with. I had heard from alot of different sources through the years many different "IMO'S" about safety chains, the concept of a chain made to brake was beyond me, after all what would the point be? All is secure now with one less thing to worry about.
New chain welded and bolted to to trailer, grade 40, with real hooks. The original chain was very light weight and I had scraps of the grade 40 lying around. I put real hooks on the chain unlike the light weight chains the trailer came with. I had heard from alot of different sources through the years many different "IMO'S" about safety chains, the concept of a chain made to brake was beyond me, after all what would the point be? All is secure now with one less thing to worry about.
powerstroke444e
Veteran Member
I like using Grade 8 bolts and grade 70 chain on small trailers and on the larger trailer like our 25ton it has 1/2 grade 70 that goes threw the frame with T notch to adjust for differant trucks. Why chain anything on the trailer if you don't chain the trailer to the truck? I would be lieing if I said I never forgot to lock the ball and bent a tailgate loading a tractor.