Thread: where to buy safety (rated) chain and fittings ?

Originally Posted by FFR

Hi all,

Need a couple of safety chains to attach to the trailer. Tried repco/SCA/BCF/bunnings with no luck. Apart from ebay, where can I find that chain ?

Another question: non-welding fittings ? How is this done when the chasis is made of aluminium ?

thank you

If you mean the chain on the drawbar to attach to your vehicle , then it does not need to be ratted but to have the right diameter in the link thickness for that particular weight ( GTM ) of trailer.
After all you can build your own trailer without any qualifications and without it needing engineer's approval using Chinese steel but you cant make your own towbar or modify an existing one even down to screwing on a plug bracket with a couple of self tappers. Work that out.

All have been mentioned, but in the construction game Bullivants, Nobles and Robertsons all get a good run.

I wouldn't bother with Supercheap (etc) if you are chasing certified chains and lifting equipment. Sounds deadly.

Regards
Andrew

IIRC you only have to have rated chain when the GTM of the trailer is above 3.5 tonne.

Rated chain is not to be welded.

I went to Bullivants to buy rated chain and the gentleman there sent me to Bunnings as I didn't need rated chain [2 tonne car trailer] and Bullivants don't do long link chain, he recommended 10 mm link although reg's only call for 8mm link. I had no trouble getting a blue slip.

chain link
6.3mm up to 1000kg
8 mm 1000kg to 1600kg
10 mm 1600kg to 2500kg

Yep, any old chain that is the right diameter can be used. Doesn't have to be anything special. You'll find the big trailer manufacturers use the cheapest stuff they can get their hands on.

We have 100's of trailers in our hire fleet - all legal and none have rated chain. On our steel trailers they are welded on, on our aluminium trailers they are bolted with a square bit of steel behind them about 2" square. Our Ali trailers have C section drawbars, so no need for crush tubes in our case.

Originally Posted by chopper

chain link
6.3mm up to 1000kg
8 mm 1000kg to 1600kg
10 mm 1600kg to 2500kg

Up to 2500 kg at least one safety chain.
2500 kg to 3500 kg two safety chains. (althoughI prefer two on all trailers.)

Originally Posted by DOTARS

16.2 Drawbar Safety Chains

All pig trailers with rigid drawbars (with or without breakaway brakes but excluding converter dollies) and, any other trailer without breakaway brakes, must be fitted with safety chains that are marked in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard and (or cables as applicable) complying with the following:

trailers that do not exceed 2.5 tonnes ATM must have at least one safety chain complying with Australian Standard AS 4177.4-1994 or Australian Standard AS 4177.4-2004 'Caravan and light trailer towing components Part 4: Safety chains up to 3500kg capacity', or be a safety cable with a certified load capacity of the same;
trailers over 2.5 tonnes and not exceed 3.5 tonnes ATM must have two safety chains of designation of 3500 kg complying with Australian Standard AS 4177.4-1994 or Australian Standard AS 4177.42004;

Technical Requirements