Safety Cables versus Chains

[oldjeep]

Re: Safety Cables versus Chains

Its an interesting debate, but out of curiosity - how many people have ever had a coupler fail? (note - forgetting to latch it or put the pin in is not a failure)

 

[littlerayray]

Re: Safety Cables versus Chains

i have never had a coupler failure and my cables are retractable and it is recommended that i do not cross the cables because the action of the cables rubbing against one another will cause premature wear on the cables and the cables will act like a safety belt and lock when a shock load is present

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Safety Cables versus Chains

Its an interesting debate, but out of curiosity - how many people have ever had a coupler fail? (note - forgetting to latch it or put the pin in is not a failure)

That IS a failure, and exactly the type of scenarios that the safety 'devices' are meant to save. And it isn't always someone forgetting to do it, in some areas there have been rashes of kids going around to ramps and pulling the pin out of the hitch.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Safety Cables versus Chains

If you had a 10,000lb winch - would you use chain on that too? Considering that every vehicle recover winch I've ever owned has had cable and crimps, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Also the cable is generally stainless, so rust isn't really an issue.

I wouldn't be standing under it! For what we are talking about here, anything involving potential life or limb has a chain involved at some point! Cables are generally stainless, which i agree, but that doesn't mean they all are. Nor does it mean the cheap made-in-china crimp connectors are stainless, even if the rest of the cable is.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Safety Cables versus Chains

That IS a failure, and exactly the type of scenarios that the safety 'devices' are meant to save. And it isn't always someone forgetting to do it, in some areas there have been rashes of kids going around to ramps and pulling the pin out of the hitch.

It is only a failure of brain function. If you forget to latch the coupler then what are the chances you put the chains on? If you are not walking around the back of your trailer before you retrieve your boat, then you need to add an item to your mental checklist.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Safety Cables versus Chains

For what we are talking about here, anything involving potential life or limb has a chain involved at some point!

Umm, no - chain is the last thing that you use in any recovery operation because it breaks so much more easily and spectacularly than cable.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Safety Cables versus Chains

Personally, I like chains. I hang them up with a tiny little bungee to keep them from dragging down the road. If the hitch fails, the chains will easily overpower the light bungee and do what they're supposed to do.

Why not just twist the chains before attaching them to the vehicle so that it takes up the slack, as opposed to using a bungee cord to hold them? Just a thought.

 

[Don Hansen]

Re: Safety Cables versus Chains

Come on people, safety chains or cables are not to protect you but the poor soul who your trailer would hit if you didn't have them. We had a situation here in S.E. Wisconsin where a new employee was not shown how to hook up a heavy construction trailer. It came loose and killed a woman on a bicycle.

DLH