Thread: Trailer Safety Chains

Originally Posted by Homestar

Just another reason not to live in NSW. 😉

What’s the rego on a small trailer worth up there?

Why what has Damien done to you
He may not be the messiah but he can be a very Naughty boy at times

Originally Posted by Homestar

What’s the rego on a small trailer worth up there?

$66

Look, i really didn't mean to start a bun fight over shackles.

For the record, I have 750kg SWL rated shackle but looking at the info provided by Laurie, it appears the 1000kg is the required figure.

The shackles I removed are unrated but have Hayman Reese stamped on them so I had thought they'd be good quality - maybe better than the Chinese rated shackle I now have.

Now, regarding chain, I had planned to use some heavy chain I have here - 8mm diameter links, maybe even as a double chain. While it doesn't have any rating stamped on it, it's a better chain than that used by the trailer manufacturer many years ago. I wonder I'd be pinged for not using a rated chain.

On a separate issue, I have the VIN on the rego papers but do you think I can find it stamped anywhere on the chassis. The trailer brand, from the rego papers, appears to be "Classic". Where should I look apart from the A-frame? I'd say the trailer pre-dates compliance plates.

Lastly, who writes their webpages? Note this appalling bit of work:

**All our box trailers are fully guaranteed *To travel on any marked road *Even if! Corrugated**
*All trailer are Australian built with all new quality materials & components

*Purchased from Australian suppliers - *Parts are available throughout Australia

"Trailers can be designed and built to any configuration Or! size"

"Our trailers Are! welded together by our skilled staff - Not! bolted together

Originally Posted by p38arover

........
The existing chain is welded (yes, it's an older commercially built trailer) but it's not galvanised. I suspect I should bolt the chain on with a stepped washer that fits into the link on the step and over the link on the larger diameter. Something like this:

Attachment 146713

Any thoughts/knowledge of the legal requirements?

I also understand NSW cops have been booking drivers who attach the safety chain with non-rated shackles.

I was advised by a local blue slip inspector that the safety chain on my trailer was not legal because it was bolted to the trailer - safety issue because bolts can come undone. He implied it should be welded, but I would think a properly locked bolt should be OK. (Mine was held in a similar manner to your proposal with a 12mm socket head screw tapped into the 10mm plate under the coupling and through it into the top of the towbar, so not feasible to visibly lock. (Never shown any signs of coming loose in the 20+ years I have owned it.

relying on painted ends is foolish,, any real time spent towing soon gets rid of any colour.

and this is how GOLF did it in the 90's....

Originally Posted by p38arover

$66

Look, i really didn't mean to start a bun fight over shackles.

For the record, I have 750kg SWL rated shackle but looking at the info provided by Laurie, it appears the 1000kg is the required figure.

The shackles I removed are unrated but have Hayman Reese stamped on them so I had thought they'd be good quality - maybe better than the Chinese rated shackle I now have.

Now, regarding chain, I had planned to use some heavy chain I have here - 8mm diameter links, maybe even as a double chain. While it doesn't have any rating stamped on it, it's a better chain than that used by the trailer manufacturer many years ago. I wonder I'd be pinged for not using a rated chain.

On a separate issue, I have the VIN on the rego papers but do you think I can find it stamped anywhere on the chassis. The trailer brand, from the rego papers, appears to be "Classic". Where should I look apart from the A-frame? I'd say the trailer pre-dates compliance plates.

Lastly, who writes their webpages? Note this appalling bit of work:

Looks like a Google translation to me.

An 8mm 1000kg rated shackle from Bunnings $3.40 (saw them last night).

An 8mm 750kg rated shackle from SuperCrap is $7.50 (saw them on Saturday)

I was at KLR Auto this morning and Matt told me of a trailer builder at Richmond. I went across and picked up a metre of 8mm rated chain from them (after leaving KLR) for the princely sum of $12. At that price, it's not worth mucking around with non-rated chain. They said the chain should be welded to the A-frame in such a way that the link cannot hit the ground if the trailer comes adrift. Currently, the chain is welded underneath the A-frame and would hit the ground first.

Originally Posted by p38arover

An 8mm 1000kg rated shackle from Bunnings $3.40 (saw them last night).

An 8mm 750kg rated shackle from SuperCrap is $7.50 (saw them on Saturday)

We sell 1000kg rated shackles for $4.00 and 1500kg rated shackles for $6.50. There’s nothing cheap about super crap.