I need a bit more length on the safety chains on my hitch. I found some links with the nut that closes over the opening at Tractor Supply rated at 3500 lbs. it looks thicker than my chain links. The wet weight on my trailer is about 7000. Is this a safe fix?

IMO it would be but I am not a rigging expert.

NO, use the folded complete link that you have to pinch closed.

I would replace the whole chain. They are not that expensive.Remember, a chain is as strong as its weakest link!

Can't go wrong with these. Anything rated for overhead lifting will work within your rated load. I use a larger size of the screw shut links you are describing, which are rated for higher loads, but if you're using them, I would get a rating that would hold the entire weight of your trailer, not just 1/2 of it. Some of those type are rated for overhead lifting and some aren't. You should go on the supposition that only one chain may be keeping the whole mess together. Obviously, if NO chain is holding the whole mess together, you have a much bigger problem. If buying the connectors in my link, you may want to just price longer chain instead. Might be cheaper in the long run. Another thing to consider is, the chain your trailer came with likely isn't rated for overhead lifting either, and it's likely poorly welded on. There's a line at which we have to recognize we aren't flying airplanes. My .02.

My TT came with 5/16" chains that were attached to a piece of 1/4" rod bent into a loop and welded to the TT frame. The old chains were badly rusted so I cut them off and replaced with new 5/16" chain attached to the welded loop at the frame with 3/8" repair links like these:The 3/8" links were rated just a few lbs higher than the 5/16" chain so figured they would be OK. There is also the clevis hooks and the attaching points points on the receiver to consider...even if you had a chain rated to hold the weight of the TT it probably wouldn't because the whole assembly is only as strong as the weakest part.

Need more length on safety chains! | Good Sam Community

AH64ID
Explorer
May 05, 2014
It would have been harder, and involved welding, to replace the chain on my TT. Not sure about others.
Ole_Man_Dan
Explorer
May 05, 2014
BobsYourUncle wrote:
I would replace the whole chain. They are not that expensive.
Remember, a chain is as strong as its weakest link!

It's too easy to replace the chain. Don't mess with half measures that may or may not work. Remember to cut it long so you can cross the chains. Yrs. ago I had a 10' Shasta trailer come off the ball and the crossed chains caught the tongue in their cradle.
I was fortunate. Low speed, and no damage to my truck or to the old Shasta. I've run with crossed chains ever since.
johndeerefarmer
Explorer III
May 04, 2014
johndeerefarmer wrote:
Bucky Badger wrote:
My chains were just a little too small I used these on my hitch

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/226703-double-hh-straight-clevis.html#.U0WlVfldWiQ

I would not use a clevis or the threaded chain link a few posts above. On the clevis if the hair pin comes out you will lose the clevis and I don't trust the threaded connector to stay tight unless you tack weld it closed.
Either replace the chains entirely or use a cold shut. You buy one size larger than your chain to get the same strength- they aren't as strong as the chain because they are not hardened. If they were you couldn't bend them or peen them over.
You put your new piece of chain and the end of old one in a vice and squeeze until the end comes through the eye. Then take a ball peen hammer and "peen over" the end (mushroom it so that it can't come back through the hole.

We have used these on the farm for years on our 3/8", 5/16" and 1/4" chains. They work good.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/45205;jsessionid=JfJ2TmxdTvwmpG3fvLQ9YDt9bGGnGyCy24T6bDgyqmr2syl5xyyq!-254826502!-672291114?isPunchout=false
johndeerefarmer
Explorer III
May 04, 2014
Double post
Heavy_Metal_Doc
Explorer
May 03, 2014
Brett K wrote:
I need a bit more length on the safety chains on my hitch. I found some links with the nut that closes over the opening at Tractor Supply rated at 3500 lbs. it looks thicker than my chain links. The wet weight on my trailer is about 7000. Is this a safe fix?

They will be fine. Being safe is one thing, but you don't need to go overboard. You are not going to lift the 7000lb trailer off the ground by one of those rings, you just need to maintain a connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer in case of a coupler failure / separation. If you have a hard enough jerk to yank one of the 3500LB links apart, then you will likely either rip the chain off the trailer frame (3/16" steel tubing trailer frame is not that strong), or pull the safety loop off the receiver hitch of your TV. Keep in mind most parts like these screw links have a working rating stamped on them and the test "burst" strength is much higher - on many parts that rating 2 1/2 times the rated number.
BarneyS
Explorer III
May 02, 2014
I think the Hensley Hitch Company sells a chain extender kit. It is often needed when using one of their hitches as they increase the distance between trailer and truck. I would give them a call.
Barney
rbpru
Explorer II
May 02, 2014
When the chains came up short on my truck, the dealer put one of those links on each of my chain/truck connection points. They are thicker than the chain link and earier to connect the snap hooks to.
AH64ID
Explorer
May 02, 2014
It took a while, but if finally got a pic.
AH64ID
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
I had to add about 9" to each chain on my TT.

I looked at replacing the whole chain but the attachment point on the trailer is welded, so whether you replace the chain or add links you are putting in a some sort of clasp, opening chain, etc.

I went to Lowe's and bought some "H" links. They are the ones that have a pin on each side and are held on with a cotter key. They where rated higher than similar sized repair links, thou I am not sure I don't want them breaking in some crash sequences....
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
My chains were just a little too small I used these on my hitch

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/226703-double-hh-straight-clevis.html#.U0WlVfldWiQ