Extending Safety Chains

[PacNWChris]

If I need to extend (or replace) the safety chains on my trailer, do I use the loaded weight of the trailer to determine what capacity of the safety chain/cable I need? Thanks!

[jaycocreek]

you don't want to be attached to this trailer if it breaks away from the car"

So true... If it breaks away off the hitch after about a foot the emergency brake should lock up on your trailer or is supposed to.

It all breaks when you wreck both rigs because your safety chain worked. Kinda a danged if it works, most of the time.

If it had to happen to me, I wouldn't want to be connected by chain to the out of control trailer.

[ralph_day]

A camper from long ago told me that when his hitch was set up for him he asked about the light chains (what you'd tether out your dog with) and was told "you don't want to be attached to this trailer if it breaks away from the car". The good old, bad old days.

Ralph

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

According to the Pearless website that I will leave to you to find and read it basically says each chain must have a breaking strength equal to the GVWR of the trailer so Peeps simplistic view is not correct.

Larry that may be what is listed on a chain website but that is not what is put on TT out of the factory.

Walk around a campground or RV store and look at the chains and attachment points on the trailers. Most are an absolute joke. There is a handful that do a nice job but gross majority are a joke. I've seen chains on dogs that were better.

Just look at most of the new TT. They have S hooks from the factory. Now go look up what even the best S hook can hold. It's a joke even if they use grade 80 chain........the S hook will be the weak link.

Even if the OP puts 1/2" grade 30 with a quick link on the end it will be WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better than the majority of the TTers I have seen on the road.

[PacNWChris]

I really appreciate the responses. I definitely want to go overboard as I like things that are over-engineered. I've seen online (etrailer.com) 1/2" quick links that are good for up to 10k lbs!

[LarryJM]

PacNWChris wrote:
Hmm ... diametrically opposed opinions. lol 🙂

Anyhow, if I only need to add a few inches to give me the desired length, I'm still at a loss for the best/safest way to do this. If I was to go the Clevis link route, which is what is included in the ProPride extension kit, I'd likely need to add only one or two links of chain! So it would go something like this: original chain, clevis link, new link (or two) of chain, hook. Is what I'm picturing in my mind accurate?

As opposed to: original chain, quick link, hook. Like I said before, the 3/8" quick links have a 2200# safe working limit. Is that inadequate?

Much thanks!

There are specific strength requirements for safety chains so be careful about just throwing something together. According to the Pearless website that I will leave to you to find and read it basically says each chain must have a breaking strength equal to the GVWR of the trailer so Peeps simplistic view is not correct. Now this even gets more complicated IIRC because this breaking strength had time limits on it that must be met and generally chains are rated for a "working load" which is like 3 or 4X the breaking strength. However I'm not sure if this second breaking strength is the same as the one that safety chains must meet. To be safe I would recommend considering going WAY OVERBOARD on whatever you use to lengthen your safety chain so you are guaranteed 100% that you haven't weakened or comprised the safety chain rating than came OEM. I had to add a couple of inches to my system and what I did was used two oversized QDs that had a safe working load that exceeded the GVWR of my trailer. That way I assured myself that the weak link was still in the factory installed safety chain system and not from something I added to it.

I can't remember the specifics, but I think my safety chains are 3/8, my trailer GVWR is 7500 and I used two 9/16" Quick screw type links with a WL each of over 6K.

Larry

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

PacNWChris wrote:
Hmm ... diametrically opposed opinions. lol 🙂

Anyhow, if I only need to add a few inches to give me the desired length, I'm still at a loss for the best/safest way to do this. If I was to go the Clevis link route, which is what is included in the ProPride extension kit, I'd likely need to add only one or two links of chain! So it would go something like this: original chain, clevis link, new link (or two) of chain, hook. Is what I'm picturing in my mind accurate?

As opposed to: original chain, quick link, hook. Like I said before, the 3/8" quick links have a 2200# safe working limit. Is that inadequate?

Much thanks!

You can get a quality quick link like one of these.

You can even go up one or two sizes if you want and that way your chain for sure will be the weak link.

After looking at the way some of these chains are attached to the tongue it's kind of a silly debate. I have seen some that were attached with a grade 3 bolt. :E

[Beachums]

If it were me and I just forked over the cash you did for the Propride, I would match the chain to OEM (I am guessing 3/8"). Get the proper length and have a reputable fabricator change it out for you. A quick link or clevis type link have more points of failure than a single length of chain.

This is a safety device....... it's not worth the guess.


IMO

[PacNWChris]

Hmm ... diametrically opposed opinions. lol 🙂

Anyhow, if I only need to add a few inches to give me the desired length, I'm still at a loss for the best/safest way to do this. If I was to go the Clevis link route, which is what is included in the ProPride extension kit, I'd likely need to add only one or two links of chain! So it would go something like this: original chain, clevis link, new link (or two) of chain, hook. Is what I'm picturing in my mind accurate?

As opposed to: original chain, quick link, hook. Like I said before, the 3/8" quick links have a 2200# safe working limit. Is that inadequate?

Much thanks!

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

ScottG wrote:
No, don't use a quick link or any other kind of device like this. They have no where near the strength needed if the trailer comes loose and gives it a good jerk.

This is just not true. You can buy high tensile strength quick links just like you can buy high tensile strength chain.

That being said, it's almost just as easy and about as cheap just to get a length of good quality chain.

[mobeewan]

You might try Clevis Links As long as you stick to same size ends the 3/8 size is good for over 6000#. Using one on each chain extension will be good to over 12,000# total for both chains combined. I think Lowes carries them.

[PacNWChris]

Well, on my trailer, it would be hard *for me* to change out the chains. They are attached to the tongue via a piece of steel that's welded to the trailer and I'm not a welder. lol

The quick links that I've seen available recently have a "safe working load" of *only* 2,200lbs.

I'm hoping that the chains I have will be long enough. But if not, the extension kit offered (http://www.propridehitch.com/products/Extension-Kit-for-ProPride-3P-or-Hensley-Arrow-.html) can be returned if I don't need it. Just seems like it might be a bit much to gain 2 - 4" of chain if I need it.

[coolbreeze01]

Looks like there are some strong links available. I would use good quality links if I needed them.

[Bob_Olallawa]

ScottG wrote:
No, don't use a quick link or any other kind of device like this. They have no where near the strength needed if the trailer comes loose and gives it a good jerk.

I agree, hook it up with the new hitch and if you need more chain length, buy enough to do the job. Not that hard to change out the chains and you have the strength if you should ever need it.

[ScottG]

No, don't use a quick link or any other kind of device like this. They have no where near the strength needed if the trailer comes loose and gives it a good jerk.

[PacNWChris]

Cool. Thanks. The reason I ask is because ProPride says you don't need their extension kit if your hook ups extend 24" past the front of the trailer. Our wiring harness is 28" past, the brake cable is 30" past (seems long), but the chains are only 26" past. I'm thinking that just a heavy duty (properly treated) quick link or two on either side would be enough length extension. Thoughts? Especially from ProPride owners. As always ... much thanks! 🙂