Tech Tip – Safety Chains

https://youtu.be/9GEz8W7WbBo

Safety chains are very important! In this Tech Tip video we look at the rules and regulations around safety chains. It is very important to ensure your caravan or camper trailer has had the correct safety chains fitted, a failure to do so will most definitely leave you in trouble should you have an accident.

As an overview, trailers that do not exceed 2.5tonne ATM must have at least 1 safety chain that complies with the following Australia standard:

AS4177.4-1994 & AS4177.4-2004
Caravan and Light Trailer Towing Components

The chain size will be a minimum of 10mm and have a load rating of 2.5tonnes but it is important to note that not all 10mm chains meet the aforementioned standards.

Trailers that are over 2.5tonnes but do not exceed 3.5tonnes ATM must have 2 safety chains with a designation of 3,000kg also complying with the following Australian standard:

AS4177.4-1994 & AS4177.4-2004
Caravan and Light Trailer Towing Components

The chain size will be a minimum of 13mm and have a load rating of 3.5tonnes but again, not all 13mm chains meet the aforementioned standards.

It is important that when the drawbar safety chains are attached under no circumstance should they be able to come into contact with the roads surface when the trailer is disconnected. In other words, the links should sit horizontally and not vertically.

It is recommended that when you have 2 safety chains that prior to attaching them to the car you cross them over. You must also ensure that you are attaching your safety chains with rated D Shackles. This will form a cradle and if the trailer was to disconnect from the car the chains will cradle the drawbar.

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