Chain size 5/16 or 3/8?

Perfectly legal if you meet WLL. My concern would be all the extra work having to use more chains over and over. I would definately go with 3/8 inch. It will be much less work in the long run.

Also think about hauling vehicles. With the larger chain your more likely to only have to secure 4 corners as opposed to needing to secure 6 points.

 

5/16ths is perfectly legal as long as it is Grade 70 (G70, transport chain). I used it in steel haul. Yes, you throw a few more chains. Bit 5/16ths is considerably lighter than 3/8ths, so it's a wash in the end.

Oil the ever loving heck out of the ratchet binders. I've had really good luck with 2-cycle engine oil. And check the tarps VERY carefully for pinholes. Repair those quick quick, cause small hole turn into big holes fast.

Good luck!

 

Yeah it's just a matter of preference. Unless you're gonna be hauling a lot of heavy stuff where throwing the extra chains would be too time consuming. As long as they're G70 and you meet WLL, 5/16 is fine.

 

I haul steel and use 3/8". I calculated what I would use if I had 5/16" 70 grade. WLL is 4,700 vs 6,600 for 3/8". 45,000 lb coil, I am required by my carrier to use 7 tiecdowns. 1 set of cross chains, 3 sets of u chains and 1 strap over the top. Cumulative WLL must be at least 22,500, so 2 cross chains is 9,400 WLL, 3 sets of u chains is 14,100 WLL (indirect tiedown to the same side is 50% of WLL) and 5,400 lb 3" ratchet strap is a total of 28,500 lbs. In this case there is no need to throw additional chains to make up for the loss in WLL.

 

I prefer 3/8 chains.Less work.

 

No reason to haul 3/8 chain around of your trailer attachment points are only good for 5500lb?

 

Very good point

 

Some kind of inferno burger from Gronks Bar and Grill.

 

Drink the beer first.