Trailer chain configuration

[FF117]

Check with your local fire dept. They may have some laying around, but used hose has become harder to find over the past several years. New hose is synthetic and stays in service longer than the old cotton hose.

 

[wolfpack2]

You can also buy tubular webbing for this purpose.

TrucknTow - Cordura Wear Pads

 

[edlegault]

Regardless of what state/federal laws and regulations are, the use of only one chain/strap in the rear and only one in the front can let the tractor or other vehicle slide side to side. Four separate chains/straps when tightened down properly keep the tractor from moving forward/reverse AND side to side. You do not want your pride and joy moving over to one side and causing a tire blow out and then tipping the trailer.

 

[DT86]

Regardless of what state/federal laws and regulations are, the use of only one chain/strap in the rear and only one in the front can let the tractor or other vehicle slide side to side. Four separate chains/straps when tightened down properly keep the tractor from moving forward/reverse AND side to side. You do not want your pride and joy moving over to one side and causing a tire blow out and then tipping the trailer.

You must drive like a bat out of h*ll.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Regardless of what state/federal laws and regulations are, the use of only one chain/strap in the rear and only one in the front can let the tractor or other vehicle slide side to side. Four separate chains/straps when tightened down properly keep the tractor from moving forward/reverse AND side to side. You do not want your pride and joy moving over to one side and causing a tire blow out and then tipping the trailer.

Also, if one fails its coming off. Hopefully on the road and not in the bed of your truck. With 4 chains you have redundancy.
Chris

 

[lemontwist]

I always use chains/straps from the load to the trailer, never from the trailer thru the load to the trailer again. That means at least 4 points of attachment to the load. If you go with two, things tend to rub and slide and not be very secure, and also is h*ll on straps due to rubbing, regardless of size. Lessons learned the hard way.

 

[edlegault]

It also doesn't hurt (and might be required) to strap/chain down the front end loader and back hoe or other rear attachments.

 

[edlegault]

For DT86:

I grew up in a farm area, but my father and grandfather were loggers. In my youth I saw the results of others not securing various loads properly. I have seen lumber, logs, appliances, furniture, a bulldozer, a 4wd logging skidder ("tree farmer") on the side of the road after slipping their tiedowns and sliding off a trailer. It is not possible to have too many chains and straps for tiedowns.

 

[edlegault]

Most of the time you'll probably get away with only 2 chains/straps. But on a bumpy road with lots of curves, gravity and centrifugal force will get ya now and then.

 

[medic0648]

If you live in Tx 4 points + all implements must be adhered to. Only need 2 binders though. can't loop the chain/strap around and cross to the other side across the equipment. Can have 1 chain attached to 2 separate points and tied to 2 opposing sides of the trailer with 2 binders if the chain is long enough though. This is tdlr regs which sets the Tx state dot hauling/towing regs. Most dot officers won't bother you on smaller loads, but can and almost always will if something happens on the road and they see you didn't have the load secured properly.

 

[puckgrinder85]

You'll get nailed by DOT everytime if you do it that way. Each chain has to have its own rachet binder.

Shouldnt really matter as long as the chain is tight. Actually the lone chain is stronger without a binder on it than one with. Grab hooks tend to put more pressure on that one link and from all the load tests i've seen thats a very high failure point, and a binder has two of them.

 

[oldtractors]

Tractor appears to be under 10,000 so 2 chains are fine + one more for the loader. I would cross the chain over itself on the clevis in the drawbar. This will not let the tractor slide from side to side. I have never read a regulation that says you must have a binder on each chain. All chains must be able to be tightened however.

 

[Case485Guy]

I have yet to find a reg that specifies chains vs straps vs cable. Just what the WLL ratings have to be.

Aaron Z

This link covers load securement
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Cargo Securement Rules - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Aaron I tried to cut and paste the chart, did come out right but scroll down to the chart and ratings that might help answer your question

 

[saltbranch]

Shouldnt really matter as long as the chain is tight. Actually the lone chain is stronger without a binder on it than one with. Grab hooks tend to put more pressure on that one link and from all the load tests i've seen thats a very high failure point, and a binder has two of them.

The load tests we have done for safety departments of different trucking companies using G-43 and G-70 chain and ratchet binders had different results. They broke at various links in the chain, not at the connecting points. The binders never failed. A 3/8" G-43 tie down chain is rated for 5,400 lbs straight or with a binder, same on G-70...rated at 6,600lbs. The one thing you really have to lookout for is the import ratchet binders especially in the 3/8", more than not they are rated at 5,400 lbs WLL, so if you use with a G70 chain, that binder is the weak point if you are using the max WLL of 6,600lbs for the load you are carrying.
Actually alot of the oilfield trucking co. are going to grade 10 overhead lifting chains rated with a WLL: of 8,800 lbs which come tagged and certified for tie-down, then they can also use the same chain for unloading. Granted a grade 10(100 same thing) is alot more$$. I state this though, all tests were using Domestic equipment.
I can tell you from seeing the pull tests on the China made stuff, just be careful. Some broke over the WLL some broke way under the WLL. If you are going to buy the import, try to get Korean made....alot better than the China stuff. By design chain is made to be used with hooks and I dont understand or well I will disagree with that statement about hooking on the chain is the weak point.
If we were talking wire rope, then that would be correct, putting an eye into wire rope weakens it and the ratings are adjusted accordingly. You do not find that in chain at all.

 

[FF117]

Tractor appears to be under 10,000 so 2 chains are fine + one more for the loader. I would cross the chain over itself on the clevis in the drawbar. This will not let the tractor slide from side to side. I have never read a regulation that says you must have a binder on each chain. All chains must be able to be tightened however.

Thanks for the tip. I towed it a couple miles down a bumpy gravel road the other day. I crossed the chains in front using two binders and ran the rear chain through the clevis like in the original photos. Hitting some of the larger bumps caused the tractor to move sideways just slightly, loosening the chain a little. I will definitely cross the chain over itself on the clevis in the future, but a more permanent solution will be to pick up another chain so that I can cross them and attach to the rear wheels.

 

[aczlan]

This link covers load securement
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Cargo Securement Rules - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Aaron I tried to cut and paste the chart, did come out right but scroll down to the chart and ratings that might help answer your question

I read through that, but my point is that nowhere does it say anything to the effect of "If hauling a vehicle that weighs more than 10,000#, you must use chains, not straps" just that the standards that your method of securment must meet.

Aaron Z

 

[saltbranch]

I read through that, but my point is that nowhere does it say anything to the effect of "If hauling a vehicle that weighs more than 10,000#, you must use chains, not straps" just that the standards that your method of securment must meet.

Aaron Z

There is not anything in the regulations that say chain vs. strap for use in application. Yes you can use a strap for a tractor tie down. The only thing about using straps is putting them over edges-like angle iron etc. Those type of edges will wear/cut a strap over a short period of time, really need to use a strap protector like a piece of cordura or something else. Some will say fire hose, I have used an old 4" X 27' strap cut into 2' pieces.
The tie-down used is ultimately the users choice and the # of tie-downs used needs to meet weight of the load.

 

[aczlan]

There is not anything in the regulations that say chain vs. strap for use in application. Yes you can use a strap for a tractor tie down. The only thing about using straps is putting them over edges-like angle iron etc. Those type of edges will wear/cut a strap over a short period of time, really need to use a strap protector like a piece of cordura or something else. Some will say fire hose, I have used an old 4" X 27' strap cut into 2' pieces.
The tie-down used is ultimately the users choice and the # of tie-downs used needs to meet weight of the load.

That was my point in responding to Diamondpilot who said the following:.

This 10K rule is what I have been told also by leo's here also. Below 10K straps are also ok for rolling loads as long as they are properly rated.

Aaron Z

 

[dave1949]

In the pictures (post #1) having the hooks on the stake pocket ... is that the preferred method? I have always looped the chain through a D-ring, and then hooked onto a chain link with the hook. I admit, no one ever instructed me in proper chaining methods

Also, maybe someone mentioned it and I missed it, it is a good idea, and a DOT requirement for large loads, to stop and check the chains/straps after driving a ways.

 

[andrehoude123]

Exactly what I do, using 4 chains, 2 binders at the rear.

I have a kubota l 45 on a sure trac 25 foot trailer and that's what I do 2 chains in the front crossed and then back up to tension them then I do the back with 2 chain binders and tie the front loader and backhoe with a Erickson straps from tsc MTO makes us have 4 chains and crossed