Safety chain strength ratings

I know someone has the answer on the forum, I could not find it.

I was installing my new WDH when I realized my safety cable was too short to reach their latching place on the truck. In doing my research I found that these cables, and all other class 3 safety cables I came across are rated for 5000 lbs. and I could not find any that were more than the 48" ones I have. So I went to Tractor Supply and was going to buy some chain make my own. I discovered that any of the chain they sell only has a rating of 750 lbs. unless you get one of the VERY big links.

Questions: What can possibly be the difference between the chains or cables used to make 5000 lb rated safety chains over what chains Tractor Supply sells?
Where can I find chain rated at this higher value?
Does it really matter?

I am going to Niagara with my old hitch till I figure out an answer or maybe Ed can tell me what to do. Hmmm, maybe take it all with me.

[Barb&Tim]

My cables were just a little too short so I added one of these;

http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-...tch/49135.html

to each cable and it worked out perfect in my situation.

Tim

[commodor47]

Dave,

What changed to make the safety cables too short? How short are the cables? If you need to extend the cables by a few inches consider using a few "quick links".

Dick

Tim . . . we think alike . . . you were quicker with a response.

[Barb&Tim]

But Dick, your post was classier than mine -- you posted pictures!

Tim

I added a new Weight Dist. Hitch and the shank was at least 4 inches further from the truck than the original. I like the link idea and will try that tomorrow.

You were probably looking at the low alloy chains with a low G-rating.

Tractor Supply does sell some G70 chain that would work:
G70 Chain

Some places might have even higher alloys like G80 or G100, but that would be really expensive even if you could get it.

Remember, the fittings have to be as strong as the chain. The "weak link" principle.

Thanks for the education, unfortunately none of the TS staff could answer that question! I think I will buy 2 feet and add that length to the cable and just close the S hook onto it, then use the closeable link like above for connection to the truck. Ugly, but it will work I think.

Thanks again.
Dave

[Mr. Adventure]

Originally Posted by clown9644

I know someone has the answer on the forum, I could not find it.

I was installing my new WDH when I realized my safety cable was too short to reach their latching place on the truck. In doing my research I found that these cables, and all other class 3 safety cables I came across are rated for 5000 lbs. and I could not find any that were more than the 48" ones I have. So I went to Tractor Supply and was going to buy some chain make my own. I discovered that any of the chain they sell only has a rating of 750 lbs. unless you get one of the VERY big links. For example, I have a small spool of 1/16" steel cable that's labeled "breaking strength" 1600#, safe working load: 400#" (I've tested both of these numbers and found them pretty accurate, but that was a different adventure).

Questions: What can possibly be the difference between the chains or cables used to make 5000 lb rated safety chains over what chains Tractor Supply sells?
Where can I find chain rated at this higher value?
Does it really matter?

I am going to Niagara with my old hitch till I figure out an answer or maybe Ed can tell me what to do. Hmmm, maybe take it all with me.

The mystery is probably that the chain was labeled 750# for it's safe working load, which would make it's breaking strength several times that amount (for ropes and cables, I think the safe working load is typically 1/4 of the breaking strength).

Oregon's rules for this were easy to find on the Internet:

"(b) The chains or cables must have a tensile strength equivalent to the loaded weight of the towed vehicle and a means of attachment to the towed and towing vehicle of sufficient strength to control the towed vehicle in event the tow bar or coupling device fails."

This would mean that in Oregon, at least, you're supposed to have tow chains or cables with a breaking strength equal or greater than the weight of your trailer. Less clear is whether that means "each" or "both together". Either way, I doubt a cop would have a way to test them very well at a traffic stop.

After all this conversation, I'm going to feed the tow cables down through the tongue and cross them before they attach to the tow vehicle. In Oregon, I'll add the step of speaking to the officer with my shoulders shrugged, palms up and thumbs out.