Securement (chains specifically)

Like I said earlier grade 100 is hardened for lifting so it doesn't stretch. I'll agree that you can run them and be fine but if your load ever shifts hard the shock load will break a grade 100 before a grade 70.

 

The only good use I've found for 5/16" chain is safety chains on the snowmobile trailer.

 

Having had to set up safety programs for my company for both cranes (rigging) and trucking I could write a book......but I won't.
80/100/120= higher alloy content (heat treat, too); OK for transport as long as it's marked/tagged- I'm pretty sure you would pull off your anchor points before you snapped one. After maintaining rigging chains for so many years I just threw what was left in the corner of the shop and I use good 'ol gold-equals-low-maintenance-easy-to-identify transport chain. And those 100/120 binders are pricey.....

In cranes we always focused/obsessed on the anchor points and not the chain, but trucking seems to be the opposite. I picked up a lowboy up one time to get it turned around on a job site, driver didn't want us picking up his trailer using "only" 4 of his 10k/lb "rated" d-rings on his 25k/lb trailer. How many do you think he would use to secure a 25k/lb load that might be subjected to more than just lifting stress? More than 4?

 

I should have read the whole thread instead of just skimming through it and missing you post.

 

One thing you forget.... on a steel or combo trailer the most a tie down point is certified by mfg for 5000 lbs .... rgn's are higher ......a good DOT man will hang you

 

If you're worried about safely tying down a load yes you should worry about tiedown point ratings. As far as the DOT is concerned remove the rating decals from your trailer. Manufacturers are not required to rate their tiedown points.

 

You are wrong on that point. I have seen them rated at 5500 pounds on both flat and step. Of course RGN is higher, hence the 1/2" chain.

if the feds that came to our shop are any indication, idiots abound. They tried to tell us that the outrigger brackets were the tie down points on our trailers instead of the holes in the frame. Not one d-ring on our trailers and Cozad confirmed this for us. Amazes me how they think that something welded on is stronger than the frame itself.

 

My stickers are gone, why give it away.

What about the machine, too- what are those rated at? If you hook the track pads, what are they rated at? I've seen more broken pads than 1/2 chains. I guess looping it through the steering wheel isn't OK, but.......

My Trail King the web is rated at 8,800, but the welded D-rings are 10k. I've never had DOT use the lower number (no sticker) I guess they assume "it's 1/2 chains to the frame...".

 

Cozad is 15k for the web

 

I wouldn't give it away, I secure above the minimum and then until in comfortable. Equipment manufacturers aren't required to rate their stuff either, so by law the DOT can't write it. Not saying you won't find one that will but I would fight it.