saftey chains on trailer

[PmDavis300]

so i bought some new saftey chains for my trailer, the kind that hook the trailer to the car. they come as one peice of chain with 2 S-hooks. what is the normal method of installing these onto my trailer? i wasthinking of drilling some holes for a 3/8 inch bolt and then cutting the chain apart and bolting on each half with some washers so it wont come off. i think the washers will be a weak point in the system though and they could bend and i could lose my trailer if anything happens. what is usually done to secure these chains?

 

[mthieme]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

Drill a hole in the tongue if one does not exist.
Bolt through the middle link. Use a Grade 8 bolt. 3/8" sounds small but I don't know what size trailer you have or what you're pulling. I have a 1/2" bolt on my tandem with a heavy SeaRay on top.
Thicker washers are available. If you are not comfortable with that, go to a fabricating/welding shop and get a scrap piece of plate steel. Drill a hole in that and use it for a washer.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

do you have the little V foot on your tongue, i just run my chain like that thru it.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

I've seen a few rigs with the last link in the chain welded to the trailer tongue...real permanent and not adjustable, though.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

3/8 is not nearly a big enough bolt. 1/2 inch should fit through the link. With a large washer there is little chance the head will pull through the link. If the 1/2 inch bolt doesn't fit through the link, then use the largest size that will.

 

[derekpfeiffer]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

I agree 3/8 doesn't seem big enough...you don't just need it to withstand the weight but the shock between the trailer unhooking and the safety chains catching. I'd caution against welding it...it will effect the metalurgy of the chain and could cause it to become brittle. The idea of welding a piece of angle iron under the tounge to run the chain thru is a good sturdy idea.

Good luck!!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

I usually don't like to drill into a galvanized trailer, it breaches the protective coating. Most trailers will have a hole in which to attach the chains to. Most of mine are attached to a hole at the end of the tongue tube or to one of the bolts that holds the landing foot on. I have attached chains to the bolts which hold on the trailer coupler as well.
The idea of safety chains is to catch the trailer if it were to come disconnected from the ball, in theory, they should prevent the trailer from hitting the ground.

If you think about it, the shorter the chains are, or the closer they are to the ball itself, the less distance the trailer can travel under the vehicle when stopping if it were to disconnect. Thus possibly preventing the bow of the boat from contacting your tow vehicle.

 

[mthieme]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

I don't know about your trailers, but every one I every had the front outlasted the back. A hole up front on the tongue isn't ging to hurt anything.
Don't make your chain so short that it binds on a turn.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

Usually if I do drill any holes I'll paint the exposed metal well and then spray the bolt and chain real well from the start with some good paint. Anything to try and prevent rust. I've had two trailers rust through, one was the two rear roller rocker bars, the other two rusted through from inside the tongue, one at the point where the tilt lock latches the trailer, the other about mid way up the tongue. Neither collapsed or anything but they did rust through.
I rarely launch any of mine in saltwater, I prefer to launch in fresh or at least brackish water and ride downstream, that way the motor and drive gets a good flush on the way in too. I still flush both the trailer and motor well when I get home.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

My advice......do not weld the chain to the trailer. It will look fine until it has to do the job it is there for. The steel of the chain has to maintain the correct properties to do it's job. Heat alters them.

 

[PmDavis300]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

ok well, thanks for the advice, i will find a bigger bolt. oh and for all you worried about my trailer rusting... you obviously havnt seen my bucket of rust that carries my boat, lol.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

FYI, always crisscross your chain to form a "X" to catch your trailer tongue, should you break loose.
Trailer basics

 

[fat fanny]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

Drill one hole to mount he one piece chain and use the previuosly mentioned grade 8 1/2 bolt with what is called a bellville washer on both side this is a bent structural washer that is used for a spring is machine building applications these allow a locking action to occurr when used as a single.But what ever you do never weld on chain PERIOD!.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

I just tried a 1/2 inch bolt through one of my chain links and it wont fit. Not even close. I would have to go 3/8 inch or look for chain that has a bigger link. Hopefully your chain can take 1/2 inch bolts.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

you should take a pic of your setup. maybe your missing something. or not looking for the right part.

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

The criss cross method is law in the Empire State for added security. Just in case the hitch doesnt latch properly. secure the chain as best as possable its yer junk. dont want it to pass you on the highway LoL.. satety first...

 

[PmDavis300]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

ok i have it all figured out.
i got two 1/2in x 2.5in stainless bolts with lock washers. thats how the chains were orginally set up, one bolt holding each one on. so im going to take the old bolts off, redrill he holes for 1/2 in and then slap them babies on there.

now all i have to do is get a drill bit, went to ace today, but they tried to charge me $13 for a 1/2in bit!! i decided it could wait till next weekend, ill just grab a bit from work for F R E E

 

[ebry710]

Re: saftey chains on trailer

you should take a pic of your setup. maybe your missing something. or not looking for the right part.

I always like pics.