Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick M
Larry,
What size chain would it take to be 2X the gross trailer weight of say a 10K trailer much less 3X? I'm not sure what anything over 3/8" is rated. Seems Grade 70 5/16" is work load rated ~4700lbs which is about the same as the grade 43 ?? 3/8". Would probably be talking about 1/2" or maybe 5/8" grade 80 to get to 20K. Don't think I have seen much of that hanging on the tongues of many trailers.
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Remember what I said and that was
"chains and hooking links to the TV should be rated at least 2x and maybe 3x the GVWR of the TT"
notice the plural you have two safety chains and according to the following the min requirements are that each chain for TT must be rated at the GVWR of the trailer so and able to hold that load for 1 min. You don't have to have a WLL of each chain rated at the GVWR of the trailer since these are a one time use and 1 min in an emergency breakaway situation seems reasonable.
Trailer Safey Chain Requirements
Normally you will find that the normal WLL is about 1/4 of the breaking load and my trailer (GVWR is 7640) and uses 3/8 chain and a 5/16 clevis slip hook with latch along with a quick link with a working load of 2200lbs. I'm not positive of the breaking strength of the chain, but using the above link it should be between 7600 (grade 43) and 11,700 (grade 70). Also, each clevis hook should have a breaking strength of between 11,700 and 18,800. Not sure about the quick link, but it should be around 8,800 and is probably the weak link on my trailer. What was interesting is that the quick link was added by the dealer because my safety chains and clevis hook was too short. Assuming the factory chain was a grade 70 transport quality, my safety chain setup from the factory would be rated at 23,400 for the two chain which is over 3X the GVWR of my TT.
For your 10K trailer again using that link, depending on the quality of each chain will probably be rated between 11,700 and 26,400 which for two you will have between 23,400 and 52,800 rated strength in a breakaway condition for at least 1 minute.
I'm glad you asked the question since I think I'm going to go out today and pick up a couple of quick links WLL rated for at least 3,000 (approx breaking strength of 12,000) to better match what probably came from the factory in my safety chains.
Larry
