I need to extend my safety chains. My camper gvwr is almost 8,000 lbs. There are two safety chains, just like all trailers. So would replacing or extending each chain with 5,000 lb weight rated chain work? Would that mean that the total would be 10,000 lbs. since there are two chains? I know whatever I use to extend my chain will need to be rated at 5,000 lbs. Thanks

My opinion? Bigger, stronger, more hefty is always better. If you are switching them out anyway, go for all the glory you can afford. In the event you ever do need their service, you will have no regreats with your decision you make now.

If lengthening a safety chain, I would replace the entire chain. If shortening a safety chain, I would use a double clevis link. If the link fails, the original length safety chain will still hold. I would never use this to lengthen a safety chain because if this fails, you have no safety chain. (I have a utility trailer that I pull with 2 different vehicles. The safety chains are perfect for the truck, but too long for the minivan. I use these links when using the minivan.)

JFI....All trailers don't have two chains but one chain attached with a fastener in the middle of the chain. Some trailer required the single chain to be looped around the skid plate on the bottom of the tongue. Most trailers today probably have two chains. I use 3/8" gr 70 transport chain on my 10k car hauler (two chains attached to 1/2" loop welded to the bottom of the trailer tongue. And 3/8" grade 70 slip hooks with safety latches. One area I see some rv folks get in trouble is using a good chain with the proper load capacity but then use some type of "hook or latch" that doesn't have enough capacity. When the trailer leaves the ball its shock loads that can break a chain or a hook when it falls or a sudden left/right movement.

E-trailer has new chains at reasonable prices. Just had to replace them on my cargo trailer.

Remember actual load rated stamped chain/rigging is service rated for 1/5th of its yield strength. You're only going to "use " the chains once, if ever. Any 3/8" hardware store chain will keep the trailer attached to the tow vehicle. And honestly, there are 2 schools of thought here. 1 is hitch pops off or breaks or whatever, going straight down a nice road. Safety chains are nice in that they'll maybe keep everything together and get it stopped while minimizing damage. The other is, you're coming down a winding mtn road with no guard rails or doing 75 around a curve in the freeway and the same thing happens. Do you really want to be connected to your trailer anymore at this point?I'll take the insurance claim on the trailer over barrel rolling off the freeway with my trailer or plunging to certain death off the Mountian still attached to my beloved camper!And fwiw, I'm not being sarcastic. There is little chance the trailer is coming off the hitch. There's already a really small probability you're going to crash your truck and trailer and only a small % of that small probability is from the hitch coming unhooked unless you're an idiot or have a brain fart and don't latch it down. Poor loading/sway is the greatest contributor and again in that case if the trailer is going left when it leaves the hitch and I'm going right, I'd rather part ways with the trailer. Unless just towing locally in protected areas, I typically make sure there's a weak link in the safety chain/cable setup. Like I said, unless going straight when it happens, I want the trailer to be gone, no more, not attached, pretend it was never there in a shtf moment. Most of my recreational towing is in the second scenario and some of my work towing is as well. I'll take "broken safety chains for $400 Alex,"

Safety Chains | Good Sam Community

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2018
JFI....All trailers don't have two chains but one chain attached with a fastener in the middle of the chain. Some trailer required the single chain to be looped around the skid plate on the bottom of the tongue.
Most trailers today probably have two chains.

I use 3/8" gr 70 transport chain on my 10k car hauler (two chains attached to 1/2" loop welded to the bottom of the trailer tongue. And 3/8" grade 70 slip hooks with safety latches.

One area I see some rv folks get in trouble is using a good chain with the proper load capacity but then use some type of "hook or latch" that doesn't have enough capacity.
When the trailer leaves the ball its shock loads that can break a chain or a hook when it falls or a sudden left/right movement.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2018
If lengthening a safety chain, I would replace the entire chain. If shortening a safety chain, I would use a double clevis link. If the link fails, the original length safety chain will still hold. I would never use this to lengthen a safety chain because if this fails, you have no safety chain. (I have a utility trailer that I pull with 2 different vehicles. The safety chains are perfect for the truck, but too long for the minivan. I use these links when using the minivan.)
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jun 30, 2018
My opinion? Bigger, stronger, more hefty is always better. If you are switching them out anyway, go for all the glory you can afford. In the event you ever do need their service, you will have no regreats with your decision you make now.

Forum Discussion

Safety Chains

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Smokey the Bear is spreading misinformation about safety chains!

Safety Chains

Safety Chains Andersen Hitch

Safety Chains

Hook up those safety chains