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Post by murray on Sept 9, 2013 15:12:20 GMT 10
I have heard of quick release couplings but safety chains ?  I'm sure an experienced member can explain   Cheers Murray |
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Post by shesgotthelook on Sept 9, 2013 16:26:02 GMT 10
Hi Murray, I have no idea about these sorry, but I thought you might like what was on my van   Anybody recognize what it was before being welded to V2 ? & don't worry, they have been replaced.  |
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Post by cobber on Sept 9, 2013 16:38:52 GMT 10
What a couple of classics  ;D Murray... yours might work but I bet the blue slip man wouldn't like it. SGTL ..... I don't reckon yours would even hold the gate shut in a strong wind.... is that a bit of string holding two links together  This topic could be the start of another pinned thread........... aye  Cobber. |
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Rattles
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Post by Rattles on Sept 9, 2013 16:51:55 GMT 10
Yes had one of the many years ago, The chain went into an L shaped Bracket with a T shaped slot, the keeper plate was swung out of the way exposing a T shaped Slot the chain went into the top and slid down to the bottom of the stem of the T slot and then the flat keeper plate was swung back over the top of the T thus preventing the chain from jumping out, the L shaped bracket went between the Base of the ball and top of the tongue, I am sure it would not meet the current regulations.
I think if I had a hard look it is still in the shed, If I can find it I will take a picture and post same.
Rattles
On reflection I think I may Have made a mistake, That Bracket is for a link of a chain to be secured, sorry just another Senior Moment, will have another look as I am sure I have a chain (somwhere) with an end like in the picture above.
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Rattles
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Post by Rattles on Sept 9, 2013 17:42:09 GMT 10
   Found the bracket Who said I cannot find anything in my shed. Rattles PS The bracket above is designed to take a chain link, sorry just another senior moment however the correct one is in a later post below. |
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Post by cobber on Sept 9, 2013 18:13:00 GMT 10
Well done rattles, your shed must be a bit better organised than mine. Needless to say .... there are regulations regarding safety chains. They are contained (for NSW ) in AIS 24  I have encountered a blue slip man who insisted that the chain must be one piece...i.e. no joiners along its length but a "D" shackle at the end that attaches to the tow bar was OK. Cobber. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2013 19:50:03 GMT 10
Oh goody ... I like these sorts of topics..  I for one am guilty of not ( not ever) setting the chains (yes plural) up properly on any of the vans I have worked on... Sure .. they have all had nice hefty gauge chain on them but never 2 chains... which is thye correct set up for safety chains on anything from box trailers to large vans. You should have 2 chains fixed to either side of the drawbar near the coupling.. The chains should cross over each other and then attach to the tow bar. Reason for this is if the van coupling jumps off the ball the coupling will drop onto the crossed chains and will be "cradled" preventing the van coupling from burying into the road or flaying around wildly as it would with a single chain that has too much length on it allowing the van coupling to sway anything up to a foot if you have a 6" loop on the chain. Other thing that needs to be considered .. and I see a few of us doing it from time to time... The d shackle needs to be as thick as the recommended chain in the info Cobber has already posted. Its no good using a 4mm thick d shackle on a 6mm thick chain.. the 4mm is the weakest link. Oh yeah .. one more before I give up.... There is a lot of old cars out there with a hole drilled in the gooseneck to take the d shackle... fat lot of good that is going to be if the gooseneck/tongue breaks or .. worse still.. the 2 bolts holding the tongue come out and the lot parts company from the towbar... The chain(s) need to attach to the towbar .. not the tongue / gooseneck. That's my 2 Roberts worth for tonight..  Reddo |
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Post by cobber on Sept 10, 2013 11:22:01 GMT 10
G'day Reddo, A lot of good advice in your post..... except for one..... and only one statement that needs amendment Now I don't know if I should mention it because I like the idea of you feeling guilty , not being able to sleep the sleep of the just ;D, crying in your beer when you realise how sinful you are , pleading for forgiveness each time you hook your unroadworthy van to the tow bar ;D......... but as much as it amuses me I can't let you go on suffering in this way If your trailer weighs less than 2500 kg you only need to have/must have one safety chain..... there I've said it, you have been absolved...... you owe me, see ya down at Kendalls Cobber. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 20:02:49 GMT 10
Slander.. You will be hearing from my solicitors Mr Cobber. .To clarify. "You should have 2 chains... 1 fixed to either side of the drawbar near the coupling.. The chains should cross over each other and then attach to the tow bar." If I was insinuating that it was law to have 2 chains I would have wrote "Shall have" .. or.... "Must have" You have quoted the minimum safety standard required by law in NSW.. Which is fine if you are happy in knowing that if the coupling steps off the ball your van drawbar stands a good chance of spearing into the road and causing all sorts of havoc behind you. If you set your van up with the 2 chain set up as I have suggested you will have a much safer hitch ... which in the event of a coupling mishap will stand a much greater chance of preventing damage to the van drawbar and tow vehicle.by cradling the coupling and preventing it turning into a stump jump plough. So.. yup.. you are correct in quoting rhyme and verse... just not as safe as the vanner with a 2 chain hitch.. I am sure this topic will be "discussed" at length at Kendalls... ;D. just packing the boxing gloves now.. Reddoublechainsarebetter.. Read more: vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=technicalstuffboard&action=display&thread=12362&page=1#ixzz2eZn7kLnZ |
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Post by Franklin1 on Sept 11, 2013 20:56:03 GMT 10
I don't suppose the forum lawyers could answer a question for me, could they?? Q: If cobber's post above says the minimum chain size should be 9.5mm for up to 1.3 tonnes, and that relates to a single chain connection, is it ok to have two chains that are only 8mm diameter? I had two new chains welded to the project van I'm working on, but the chains are only 8mm diameter. Would I need to cut these back off and put 9.5mm chains on, or do two 8mm chains exceed the minimum requirement? cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 21:15:52 GMT 10
I had two new chains welded to the project van I'm working on, but the chains are only 8mm diameter. Would I need to cut these back off and put 9.5mm chains on, or do two 8mm chains exceed the minimum requirement? 2 x 8mm chains = 100.5mm 21 x 9.5mm chain = 70.8mm 2you decide al. conti |
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Post by cobber on Sept 11, 2013 21:57:54 GMT 10
 ;D Dear Reddo- Reddo & Reddo, shonky solicitors incorporated, no win no fee Your client has already pleaded guilty to not ever setting the chains up properly on any caravan he has worked on. He then went on to say "Should have--- Shall have--- Must have " .. have a different meaning in law Being that pedantic he should be a Blue slip inspector who, as those of us who have had dealings with them know they can be the most frustratingly pedantic people in creation when it comes to interpreting the intricacies of AIS 24... VSB 03 ... or the multitude of other irrelevant regulations they use to confuse themselves with. What do members of the Kendalls beach Jury think..... we shall see And there is the answer to your question Al. I would say your two 8 mm chains ( when only one 9.5 mm one is required by law) would satisfy anybody but a blue slip inspector...... let us know how you go Cobber.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 12, 2013 10:57:16 GMT 10
Which is fine if you are happy in knowing that if the coupling steps off the ball your van drawbar stands a good chance of spearing into the road and causing all sorts of havoc behind you. Hi Reddo, I am confused. "... coupling steps off the ball...". How can that happen? How can the coupling step off the ball? Aaaah, I get it! Are you using one of those detachable coupling thingo's? Which are particularly prone to detaching if you use the wrong sized ball? I see the problem. No wonder you need safety chains criss crossing each other up and under like a piece of macrame. Now, if you used the captive ball coupling system which was developed by one of the early caravan pioneers about - oh - eighty years ago, you wouldn't have any concerns! Stepping off the ball? Can't happen. Don Ricardo ;D ;D ;D  PS Sorry for the diversion, Murray, Rattles and others. I just couldn't resist it! |
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Rattles
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Post by Rattles on Sept 12, 2013 15:41:54 GMT 10
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;D
;D
