Problem Solved

DMaxer · Guru

Problem Solved

Dick0 · Guru

Yes, they do make it easier for us old buggers.

smile smile smile

Craig1 · Guru

Just make sure that the chains are the new "correct length " as a lot of yellow hooks look far too close to the ground to be of any value if the blessed thing becomes detached.

DMaxer · Guru

So true Craig. Because the hooks hang down a few inches I moved the D shackles back up a few links on the safety chain to prevent dragging or worse still, grabbing something on the road.

Gundog · Guru

I would like to do that but I fear the Hammerloc will not fit through the hole where the D shackle goes, when I connect up only the pin if the D will fit through.

I wonder if thinking out of the box a possible solution cut off part off 1 side of the HL so the locking pin can locate in the hole and the HL is verrticle.

woolman · Guru

Legally you can only have one removable link. Can get around this with a "lockable link". These have a hammered pin to lock them in place.

I found out with Mr Plod, though he did allow me to get into a town to buy a couple of them.

Neil

DMaxer · Guru

If you think the Hammerlock shackle will not fit through the ring then the alternative that I saw the other day was the D shackle placed through the ring as you usually do and attach the Hammerlock shackle which holds the hook through the link on the safety chain. The shackle locks on with a pin hammered through so the only thing that would be detachable is the D shackle through the ring. Same result, just ar$e about.

DMaxer · Guru

The hammerlock shackle is the same size as a D shackle so you should be right. Take one with you when you have a look.

Are We Lost · Guru

If you want to understand all about shackles, Hammerlocks, hooks, ratings and ADR and different state interpretations, here is a detailed video of the subject.

Safety Chain Connector - Robert Pepper

One aspect he glossed over a bit was showing Hammerlocks and hooks with a high enough rating, but designed for a smaller chain diameter (i.e. the required chain size does not sit neatly and well supported in the hook - video 26:30).

He quotes Federal Government Circular 0-1-3 which recommends D and Bow shackles but is not a legal requirement.

DMaxer · Guru

Yes. I have the D shackle attached to the chain and put the D shackle on the hook.

Dick0 · Guru

Are We Lost wrote:
If you want to understand all about shackles, Hammerlocks, hooks, ratings and ADR and different state interpretations, here is a detailed video of the subject.

Safety Chain Connector - Robert Pepper
One aspect he glossed over a bit was showing Hammerlocks and hooks with a high enough rating, but designed for a smaller chain diameter (i.e. the required chain size does not sit neatly and well supported in the hook - video 26:30).
He quotes Federal Government Circular 0-1-3 which recommends D and Bow shackles but is not a legal requirement.

Thanks, a very good link.

StewG · Senior Member

Thanks, Are We Lost, Robert Pepper's explanation is very clear and has induced me to continue using D-shackles and avoid any complications, despite the apparent convenience of hooks. For me, it is not very often that I'm hooking/unhooking the van from the car so D-shackles are not inconvenient. However, I always wondered why I was given 1t rated D-shackles when my van's ATM is 2800kg. As Robert Pepper explained, it is the breaking point of 6 x 1t that is relevant and must exceed 1.5 times the ATM.

jegog · Senior Member

nobody want to compromise on safety just to avoid a little discomfort, well it's your life. I just hope that you don't take anyone else with you should things go wrong.
The thing about standards and regulations is that you must read the full standard or regulation. Just cherry picking snippets here and there is sure to mislead you.
They normally have a definitions section which should be absorbed before reading further.
They also mean exactly what is written, no interoperation needed.
When someone states that the authors actually didn't mean what was written but meant something completely different, then you would be well advised to ignore their advice.
RV Safe have an article on safety chain requirements and I would take their advice over Robert Pepper.

rvsafe.com.au/safety-chains-shackles-for-towing/

littledick · Senior Member

DMaxer wrote:
I found fitting and detaching the safety chains to the car one of the biggest PITA ever inflicted on the caravan community. Sitting on the draw bar fiddling around with shackles, not knowing if they were tightening, dropping the pin on the ground, the whole lot almost put me into therapy.
Now, I have solved the problem. Whilst having a chat to a bloke at a servo he showed me the "little yellow hooks" made by several companies, Hammerlock to name just one. A shackle is just locked onto the rings on the tow bar with the hook and clip attached and now it's sayonara to all the abovementioned grief.
These little buggers are simple to install even for someone mechanically and skills challenged such as myself. It is now just a quick clip to either hook up or detach the chains with no more of the previous aggravation.
I purchased mine from a trailer place but they are everywhere. All up cost for shackles to attach to tow bar and the pair of hooks came in at about $30,

Bought mine last Friday, $30 as mentioned. Use in a few weeks.

Dick

DMaxer · Guru

You wont regret it Dick. It just makes life so much simpler without stuffing around doing up and undoing shackles. A couple of people in their vans near where I was camped asked about them and are also now in the convert camp. They are great and only $30.