Chains. Grade 70, 80 or 100. what do you have and why??

Well, I was wondering if it was worth having the added strength of chain when hauling a load.
Given the price of the chains increase by a lot when going up in grades, is it worth it???

 

Depends really.

Do you generally prefer that your freight stays where you load it?

Seriously, it depends on what, how heavy, and how often you'll be using them. But overall, yeah it's worth it to me not to potentially lose a load and possibly kill someone.

YMMV.

 

You can't find grade 80 anymore so it's either grade 70 or grade 100. While I have used grade 100 before I don't recommend it as its lifting chain and is hardened. Hardened chain doesn't stretch it breaks so if you ever shock load it such as a piece moving in a panic stop it just breaks in stead of keeping the load captured. My advice is to use g70 and throw enough chains to cover your wll requirements, leave the g100 for the crane boys.

 

Well said!

 

I carry a mixture, most of my 3/8 are grade 7, I do have a few short grade 8 3/8. Then I carry 8 1/2" 3 foot chains, 4 grade 7 and 4 grade 10. The 1/2" chains are 3 foot long with a slip hook on 1 end and a grab hook on the other. I love those chains, I have 4 3/8 that are set up the same way.

 

I would say it also depends on the securement points on the trailer. No sense using 20k wll chain on a 5500 lb securement point. I believe that most D rings on RGN trailers are rated at 15k maybe less. We had a guy that was under securing everything. I talked to him about it one time and he stated that the chain was rated at 6600 pounds. He was correct but then I pointed out to him that the binders he was using were only rated at 4700.

 

Haulhand said it perfectly. Grade 70 is load securement chain, Grade 100 is for lifting/crane guys...and stupid people who will argue even when you show them they are wrong.

 

Most people that use 3/8ths chain are actually using grade 43.

Personally i mainly use 5/16ths grade 70 chain. The trailer spools are only rated for 5500 so no point in using bigger chain.

 

You can come sling my 3/8 chain. I guarantee it is not grade 43. But then I use lowboy trailers a lot.

Another reason, spool rated at 5500 chain 4700 binder 5400. You are losing 700 pounds of securement per chain. 3/8 chain allows you to get the full will possible on that trailer. They are heavier though

 

Ya i give up that 700 pounds, but that's easily compensated for by adding another chain when required. I do carry a couple 3/8ths i just don't use them often.