Safety chains.

Hetho · Senior Member

Safety chains.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

By the sounds of it, like you, I have always crossed the chains when there were two fitted to the A-Frame. Additionally, I will always continue to cross the chains - I believe, when crossed, they MUST be better placed to support the A-Frame and keep it from hitting the deck should the towball or something fail.

I have found these bits of info from a quick and dirty search. It would seem there is no actual regulation that stipulates crossing the chains, just that it is a prudent practice.

https://www.lifestylecampertrailers.com.au/tech-tips/tech-tip-safety-chains/ watch the video as well.

Interestingly, this link below mentions WA requirement -

All other states require only one safety chain is required for vans under 2.5tonne ATM - The only exception is in Western Australia, which requires two safety chains for vans under 2500kg ATM.

https://www.gorv.com.au/five-caravan-myths-busted/

No wonder caravanning is such a dogs breakfast on just what is legal and what is not and should be done and what should not be done.

There is this - CI-119C, Vehicle Safety and Standards, Circular to Industry, Safety Chains and Shackles for Trailers under 4.5 tonnes ATM built after 1991.
Issued Jan 2017 ... Trailers under 2500 kg ATM must be fitted with at least one chain - trailers over 2500 kg ATM must be fitted with two chains.

Quoted from this link -

https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/licensing/LBU_VS_CI_119.pdf

I don't care what is said, or by whom, I will continue to cross the chains on my van.

cheers - John

Yuglamron · Guru

This link shows NSW to require the chains if two are fitted to be crossed. If the vehicle is under 4500Kgs. Need to scroll down to the relevant section.

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/road-rules/towing.html

elliemike · Guru

On 4 or 5 maybe occasions in the last 30 or so years I have had the vehicle I was towing unhitch. All caused by human error. Not paying attention, being distracted when hitching up, in a rush, etc.

They were all at slow speeds and usualy when leaving a camp, except the last time when I was doing about 60 kmh on a Highway.

Each time, having the Chains Crossed the nose of th "A" frame was supported and did not dig in on the various road surfaces. Especially when I was travelling at 60 kmh and the hitch came off the ball. that time I think it was the hitch ball and/or receiver worn. I changed the hitch to a "Treg Hitch" after that.

But the Nose of the "A" Frame was kept up off the road surface and no damage occurred, other than my nerves. We kept travelling in a straight line and pulled over to the side of the road.

I would never consider "Not" having my Chains Crossed.

fwdoz · Guru

elliemike wrote:
But the Nose of the "A" Frame was kept up off the road surface and no damage occurred, other than my nerves. We kept travelling in a straight line and pulled over to the side of the road.
I would never consider "Not" having my Chains Crossed.

That is the exact reason why they should be crossed. Every vehicle I have had a towbar put on, or wherever I have purchased a caravan, all of them told me "you must cross your chains, it will stop the nose of the A frame from diving into the bitumen".

Every time I hook up, the wife & I switch chains from one side to the other.

Hetho · Senior Member

Just to clarify, my chains will not allow the draw bar to hit the ground, and they are rated to 3.5 tons. Which is what was advised at my WA Inspection point.

My ball weight is 102 Kgs and I'm a tandem axel.

But, my quest is to find out the legal requirements, if one has to make an insurance claim.

I can hear it now: were your chains crossed or uncrossed? Umm, correct answer?????????

Im sure we will all be in the same boat but never given it a thought.

Regards.

Hetho.

fwdoz · Guru

Hetho wrote:
Ive been doing some online searches and cannot find any reference to crossed chains on any Transport WA Doc`s.

In my rather quick search, I could not find anything on W.A Govt regs re crossing chains. However, 3 WA websites I saw that talk about caravan hitching all said make sure your shackles are crossed.

As far as insurance goes, if you want to find out the answer then the only sure way to know is to ask your insurer.

For me, knowing I have a 2nd line of defense in having chains crossed should I have a sudden unhitching could be the difference from turning into a major rollover with the nose biting into the bitumen.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Towed heavy trailers for semi Gov electrical supply co . Since 1980 we have always CROSSED the chains . As said . It holds the draw bar off the ground if it breaks away .

The Travelling Dillberries · Guru

If you are trying to stop the draw bar from touching the ground, in the case of it coming adrift from the tow ball, two things need to be set up correctly as per the below highlights.

From my observations the majority of chains are too long to prevent the draw bar hitting the ground.

If we are concerned with Insurance rejections, all we can do is do as the regulations suggest. (after we decipher them!!)

NSW Regs'.

Safety chains

Must comply with Australian Standards.
Trailers less than 2500 kg when loaded must be tted with at least one safety chain.
Trailers over 2500 kg when loaded must be tted with two safety chains.

To prevent the front end of the drawbar from hitting the ground if the coupling is disconnected, safety chains must be:

As short as practicable and connected to the towing vehicle.
Crossed over if two chains are fitted.

-- Edited by The Travelling Dillberries on Saturday 15th of December 2018 09:43:10 PM

Goldfinger · Senior Member

My chains were crossed...and my vehicle and trailer remained connected....my vehicle unfortunately was not the right way up......I have always crossed my chains and always will for the positive reasons in above posts....I also keep my fingers crossed now...Hoo Roo

Rotating my tyres on Disco.jpg

Stretch60 · Senior Member

Policed in WA for 33 years and was always of the understanding that if two chains on trailer, they must be crossed. Although not a traffic copper, I'm sure there was an infringement for that. I know this because a colleague in the late 80's whose ambition in life was to give an infringement to someone failing to give way to a pedestrian with a white cane, came into the office telling us he got another person without crossed chains.

Stretch60 · Senior Member

Just been through the Road Traffic (vehicles) Regulations 2014. Mentions chains but not crossing them.

iana · Guru

Hooked up today and crossed the chains, looking at them I don't see that crossing them will make any difference. The point of attachment at the tow bar is so far from the chain fixing point on the van "A" frame, the cross of the chains is way forward, and if the coupling came adrift it would miss the chain crossover and hit the deck anyway. So I guess the crossing of chains is an option, and may or may not work.

Possum3 · Guru

Iana you may need to reduce length of chains. Don't cut just move the shackle pin along a bit.

Brenda and Alan · Guru

My take on crossing chains has more to do with sharp cornering particularly if chains are short to prevent chain from jamming, not so much to do with holding the drawbar from hitting road. Single chain could not do this.

Alan

elliemike · Guru

Brenda and Alan wrote:
My take on crossing chains has more to do with sharp cornering particularly if chains are short to prevent chain from jamming, not so much to do with holding the drawbar from hitting road. Single chain could not do this.
Alan

It would be for both reasons, Two jobs covered by the one simple procedure.

Jaahn · Guru

elliemike wrote:
Brenda and Alan wrote:
My take on crossing chains has more to do with sharp cornering particularly if chains are short to prevent chain from jamming, not so much to do with holding the drawbar from hitting road. Single chain could not do this.
Alan
It would be for both reasons, Two jobs covered by the one simple procedure.

Hi I agree with this too. smile

As for Iana's statement "if the coupling came adrift it would miss the chain crossover and hit the deck anyway" one can only say that the chain arrangement does not comply this is clearly stated in the NSW regs as quoted again below.

"To prevent the front end of the drawbar from hitting the ground if the coupling is disconnected"

I would reposition the chains to ensure they will do that. I have always ensured they will do it on any big trailers or vans before I set off. Having the coupling dig into the road at that critical moment of disconnecting will cause things to go from bad to worse right there. I have had two trailers disconnect and not dig in and no real problems caused.

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Monday 17th of December 2018 03:36:37 PM