Trailer safety Q's

RobS · Jan 31, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

Bill, if you mean the car haulers that carry many new cars to the dealerships they use chain. The tie down points on the cars are specifically designed in by the manufacturers and tested! Most of the haulers have short lengths of chain attached to an axle going across the truck (actually, several of these). Once they chain to the car, the driver turns the axle with a pipe and it tightens both sides at once. There is a ratchet/pawl to keep it tight.

Same sort of thing in the rail cars. There is even a test called a "rail simulator". Apparently, the rail cars can impose some vibrations and bumps that are not normally seen during driving /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

CTyler · Jan 31, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

Here is a pic of the tractor/trailer.

CTyler · Jan 31, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

Pic of the stake pocket. The pocket is thicker than 1/8". I measured it at .2". Decided to hook to the frame and use the pocket to keep the chain from sliding anywhere.

As you can see I need a bigger trailer both length and GVWR.
This one is Maxed!

Anonymous Poster · Feb 13, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

Ctyler, I see your attaching the front chain to the loader, isn't that a little dangerous? I always attached my front chains to the front bumper/frame of tractor.

btw: nice setup /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

CTyler · Feb 13, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

Hi, the dealer chained it down the way you see it in the picture. It was chained that way from the dealer to my house, about 8 miles. Actually I specifically asked them if chaining the front like that was ok. They said it would be fine.

I didn't realize that chaining it that way was dangerous but its not very good at any rate. I didn't like it that way either because the tractor can move backwards slightly. This takes the tension out of the rear chains. I stopped about two miles down the road to get a Coke and noticed the rear chains weren't taught anymore. They weren't loose but they needed to be tightened up again. Same thing when I got home.

I ran two chains through the front of the chassis to each side of the trailer before it left the driveway.

I just bought a couple 10,000# rated chrome tow hooks to mount to the frame. This will make it easier to chain and not ding up the paint.

I had kinda forgot about it and probably should have said something since this IS a safety thread. So the moral of the picture is how NOT to chain the front of your tractor. May a thousand fleas infest your armpits if you do.

Thanks for pointing it out.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 14, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

Thats cool, thats what my dealer almost did to,
I told him as he tied it down, "No, tie it to the front frame"
I dunno if he was in a hurry to get me outa there or what,
but I was just afraid the loader wasn't a good spot to bind to.
Glad you have the same thoughts. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I like your big hook ideas, I'm gonna try that. My hooks now are the small ones for the 5/16 binder. So I wrap the chain around the bumper.
Thats half the reason to i didn't want him to chain the loader down, he'd scratched the paint if he did grrr. ha.

John

thcri · Feb 14, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

When chaining or strapping to the stake post pockets you should always go down through the pocket and then back up, then hook over the stake pocket. That way if you hit a bump the chain will not come off as easy. Just something my dad taught me many years ago.

It is not as critical on tractors where there is no suspension, but on cars and 4 wheelers it is more critical.

Murph

MossRoad · Feb 14, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

Here's a picture of a tow hook that I installed on my tractor. I, too, did not like chaining to the FEL.

It was only $10.00 at TSC.

10,000 pound tow hook picture

Anonymous Poster · Feb 14, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

Good idea on the wrap around the stake in case the tractor bounces. I never thought about that before.

Moss, do you worry about side to side movement? or has it ever moved side to side on ya? (assuming you just take a chain from left side stake, then thru hook then down to right side stake). I guess our tractors are heavy enough not to move. Hate to see it bang up your fenders, or on a flatbed, slide to the edge if on a steel deck.

I'm still not partial to the clevis idea though, I'd like to use two chains in the rear, outer most edge of tractor. Thus voiding the side to side movement, and dual chains, more strength, instead of one chain. 2 better than 1 thing /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

My luck I can just see someone pulling out in front of me,
and seeing something green get closer in my rear view mirror, thus becoming a tailgate ornament. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

John

CTyler · Feb 14, 2003

Re: Trailer safety Q\'s

Your looks like the same hook except black. Harbor Freight had them for $9.00 a pair /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've been running the chain thru the stake pocket and hooking on the frame underneath since its heavier. In my case the pocket just makes sure the chain can't slide anywhere.