towing safety chain specs

[chesters1]

as the camping season gets closer i'm ticking the boxes regarding the new (since i towed last) regs concerning the trailer.

i'v tracked down the plate (dont ask at halfords they havent a clue!!) the safety chain hooks on on the towbar ,the trailer already has the beeping indicator that tell you trailer indicators are working .

but back to the safety chain itself !!! what are the specs it should meet?

the ones for sale at halfords (remember they dont sell the plates the clip to!!) are very thin (infact i expect they would snap if used in anger) so "may" be for operating the brake on a braked trailer.

my trailer hasent brakes so i would amagine it needs a rather hefty bit of cable .

anyone have the specs regarding this latter chain/cable ????? it has one fitted and its extremly hefty but are there any rules regarding any fixings etc.

[Tog]

You can tow any trailer as long as the laden weight is below 750Kg - without a breakaway cable.

If you are towing a trailer of 750Kg+ then it must be have brakes and you must fit a breakaway cable which will only pull the brakes on if the coupling disconnects.

Very few brakaways occur nowadays as very few vehicles have 50mm balls and 2" couplings!

http://www.towsure.com/category/7191

http://www.ntta.co.uk/

also you must check the towing capacity of your motor.

Edited March 14, 2007 by Tog

[Newt]

You can tow any trailer as long as the laden weight is below 750Kg - without a breakaway cable.

 

Maybe you CAN but I don't understand how anyone in their right mind would want to assuming I understand the whole 'breakaway cable' thing.

[Tog]

the breakaway cable is used to pull the brakes on a trailer or caravan of over 750Kg on if it decouples, it is not and should not keep the trailer attached to the vehicle - they are designed to break.

whereas the chain chesters mentioned may sometimes be used to keep the trailer attached to the vehicle should you pop the coupling, still is used when towing by hook - tractors etc.

We dont get many ball joints poping off any more, they are sprung loaded to keep the ball in the socket and 2" Ball sockets are very rare - but put a 50mm ball in a 2" socket & you are asking for trouble!! (0.8mm of trouble)

[chesters1]

# Unbraked trailers manufactured after 1 Jan 1997 must be fitted with a secondary coupling that will provide some residual steering in the event of an unplanned uncoupling. This device should also prevent the ball coupling hitting the ground in similar circumstances. It must be connected to the towing vehicle when the trailer is being towed.

 

i guess this is why the trailer has one although its pre 97

 

and it also explains why the cable on braked trailers is so thin ,good link the second one

 

when we got the trailer tent home i couldnt but notice how the tires had worn ,both outsides completly gone and almost down to the fabric ,i think he (the ex owner) was following the handbooks inflation recomendations exactly ,it should be BAR not KG

 

 

 

we bought 2 new ones online and they only had one so they sent a pair of 6ply's instead for the same price ,thats looking after the customer

Edited March 14, 2007 by chesters1

[Newt]

Thanks Tog. I was thinking of safety cable. I have only had one trailer ball snap over the years but once was plenty and I was very happy to have a pair of fairly heavy safety chains in use when a car-hauler trailer with an auto on it popped loose in the middle of the night at about 75mph in the West Virgina mountains.

[Ken Davison South Wales]

Thanks Tog. I was thinking of safety cable. I have only had one trailer ball snap over the years but once was plenty and I was very happy to have a pair of fairly heavy safety chains in use when a car-hauler trailer with an auto on it popped loose in the middle of the night at about 75mph in the West Virgina mountains.

 

You were lucky Newt, I always figured you were better to loose the trailer, saw one where the trailer came adrift at less speed and the jackknifed on the chain and tipped short wheel based Land Rover over.