Safety Tow Chain Question

canoe on top wrote:
Gdetrailer, I agree with you completely. I wasn't advocating the use of S hooks just meant I have seen them. Not only can they bounce off whatever they are hooked to, as you say, under load they would likely just open up and come off. I am not surprised they are outlawed some places. They should be outlawed everywhere.

Yeah, I had a small 4x8 utility trailer which had the S hooks many years ago. Never thought about the fact that they could jump off or even bend enough back then.

Now days, I am much older and smarter, making better choices which hopefully will reduce the chance of losing the trailer.

As far as outlawed, shortly after that chipper accident PA tightened up the laws. My inspection station can not pass the inspection on any trailer if there is open S hooks in use. My inspection mechanic gave me a verbal "approval" on the closed hooks I use on mine back when the law changed along with the inspection sticker.

The problem I see with PAs change is the smaller trailers of 3K lbs and under do not require an inspection and the owners may have never been told to change to a closed or locking hook.

Upgrading to a locking hook is not expensive but does provide more safety for ALL.

Gdetrailer, I agree with you completely. I wasn't advocating the use of S hooks just meant I have seen them. Not only can they bounce off whatever they are hooked to, as you say, under load they would likely just open up and come off. I am not surprised they are outlawed some places. They should be outlawed everywhere.

Here is what I use. But mine were made about 50 years ago and in the US of A. :)

S hook should be outlawed IMHO. I have seen many trailers from the factory that have S hooks. Plain crazy if you ask me.

canoe on top wrote:
Quick links or repair links should work. At the end of the chain where you hook it to the hitch, you don't weld it on. You use a quick link, (threaded or some just use S hooks),so anything after that doesn't have to be stronger than that. Remember the old saying, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link". Threaded quick links, if they are screwed all the way up, will take quite a load.

After the chipper accident in western PA the use of OPEN "S" hooks were BANNED. Open "S" hooks have several issues, one is they CAN disconnect easily and they can STRETCH under heavy shock loads which will straighten them out until they pull out of the hitch.

In PA only CLOSED (IE closed repair link I mentioned before) or self closing hooks are allowed.

Open S hook (no longer allowed and trailer inspection WILL be failed)
OPEN S HOOK

Locking spring hook (looks like a carabiner but when closed the two pieces "interlock" preventing a shock load from spreading it open)
SAFETY SPRING HOOK

Self locking hook (this is a heavy duty cast hook with a self lock feature)
SELF LOCKING HOOK

Or use the "repair" link which I mentioned before.

While many here take a lax view of these small details and don't feel it is an issue, you are wrong.

If you are using the simple non closing "S" hooks, CHANGE THEM! Doing so makes for a much safer tow not just for you but OTHER MOTORISTS.

On edit.. Just for those scoffers you can take a look at the accident which happened in 2006..

CHIPPER ACCIDENT KILLS FAMILY

years ago I was next to a guy pulling a small boat on a trailer , he was doing 50 down the highway . The trailer was off the ball , he was pulling with just the 2 safety chains . This was back in the heyday of CB radios , I got him on the CB and told him what was up , He gradually slowed down and didnt damage a thing.

Thanks all.
I got a length of 5400 lb chain that I'll thread through both holes where the safties usually connect, then will connect them to the ends. The quick links I found were only good to 1000 lbs each.
I am safety conscious and am happy with this solution.

Quick links or repair links should work. At the end of the chain where you hook it to the hitch, you don't weld it on. You use a quick link, (threaded or some just use S hooks),so anything after that doesn't have to be stronger than that. Remember the old saying, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link". Threaded quick links, if they are screwed all the way up, will take quite a load.

tspecs wrote:
I don't have a link (no pun intended), but you can buy links for repairing chain which consist of a split,sprung open link which will allow you to attach xtra chain to an existing safety chain, and after you attach it all together you simply hammer the sprung open add on link closed. This method is as strong as the original one piece chain. I use links like this to repair broken tow chain, and they never break. Available at your local hardware or tractor supply.

They may not break, but under severe shock loads loads by the very nature of the soft material they are made of can and will open back up.

I would not take the chance, if it can be hammered shut it will open under heavy shock loads. It is for the shock loads the links in the chain are welded shut.

The quick links I gave the link for can be also found at Tractor Supply, Home Depot or Lowes and other places. Just be sure you get one in the size to match the size of the chain. They are the right tool for the job.

Thanks Tspecs, I will look for them at Lowe's.
Thanks also Gdetrailer for the quick link info. - I know they're required, hence why I'm trying to get them fixed so they work, but I appreciate the lecture anyway :)