What Length Chains Do I Need To Haul Crushed Cars

20 foot won’t be enough at least from my limited experience . If they’re 8’ off the deck 25’ would be really close. I’ll defer to those that know more but I’d think you’d need to be close to the 28’ mark on chain length

 

We use regular 20ft chains but have some short 3fters that we attach also. And then we run a strap d-ring to a winch.
The best way to do it imo. If using binders make sure to keep them tight.. the cars settle a ridiculous amount while in transit.

Also the best way to get ur chains over is to let the forklift guy give you a chance to lay your chains over the top stack while it's on the ground, and then he lifts the stack with ur chains on it and sets it up there for u.. then u just have to rig it up from there.. not sure if u done crushed cars before just some throwing some tips out there because I've learned the hard way... lol

 

This is what I mean by strap d-ring. You don't need 30fters . The ones we use are only like 5ft or do, but they are really handy with loads like this. That way you can tighten the chain like a strap rather then using binders

 

I only did crushed cars once and that was once too many for me. We had a guy that did them all the time, I had his trailer when o did them and he had 32’ ones I think. But he had a setup similar to what you’re talking about and Ohio busted him for having straps run to the 20’ chains he used to carry. Something about the straps can be cut by the cars ? I don’t know. Is there an actual reg on it? This was a few years back but around these parts the guys all run chains only

 

As long as the strap is not touching the cars it is completely legal as far as I understand... there is a special regulation written for crushed cars where straps aren't allowed at all, but it also says the d ring ones are fine to attach to a chain as long as they don't touch the cars themselves... something to that effect I don't have the book in front of me right now..
my company has probably 10+ loads a week of crushed cars and that's how we do it...

i am like you, I try to stay away from them as much as I can. Although it's not as bad after a couple times of doing it.

 

This is the regulation you are referring to:

§ 393.132 What are the rules for securing flattened or crushed vehicles?
(a) Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of vehicles such as automobiles, light trucks, and vans that have been flattened or crushed.

(b) Prohibition on the use of synthetic webbing. The use of synthetic webbing to secure flattened or crushed vehicles is prohibited except that such webbing may be used to connect wire rope or chain to anchor points on the commercial motor vehicle. However, the webbing (regardless of whether edge protection is used) must not come into contact with the flattened or crushed cars.​

 

Do you guys run them wrapped with a “hair net” mesh? Tejas makes them do it down here. Keeps all the little broken bits from falling off in transit.

 

Not a choice. The last section of that cite points that out.
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