Did you know, I didn’t?

[growler2058]

My Kids :-)

[Finly Owner]

I myself have been a victim of rushing to put trailer on. Drive off, got down road a bit, slowed and hit a bump and felt a hit. Ahhhh sh#t the trailer! I hadn't locked the safety lock down. It came off landed on the crossed chains and hit my plastic bumper on the commodore. So I drove around the corner slowly knowing the trailer was going to follow. Pulled over in a safer spot and reconnected trailer, and went to do job I was heading to do.



Tim

[janderson]

Australian Standard AS 4177.4-2004 ‘Caravan and light trailer towing components – Part 4: Safety chains up to 3500kg capacity’, or be a safety cable with a certified load capacity of the same
http://ozhitch.com/wp-content/upload...rcouplings.pdf

Safety Chains
14.3.1.2. For trailers up to 3.5 tonnes ‘ATM’, the safety chain must comply with
AS 4177.4 - 2004 Safety chains up to 3500 kg capacity; or
14.3.1.2.1. be a safety cable with a certified load capacity not less than that of a
chain complying with AS 4177.4 - 2004.
14.3.1.3. For trailers over 3.5 tonnes ‘ATM’, the safety chain must be made from
steel of a minimum 800 MPa breaking stress, conform to the mechanical
properties of Grade T chain as specified in AS 2321 - 2001 Short Link
Chain for Lifting Purposes and must be of a size such that the minimum
breaking load exceeds the ‘ATM’

It would appear that both my Trailer (1999 model) and Campervan (1982model) don’t conform to these rules. The largest rated bow shackle that fits the chains on both trailers is 1.5Ton.

[threedogs]

Recently had a trailer rego'ed from scratch, never asked a question about chains. only wanted receipts for the steel used. could of rego'ed a keg on pram wheels if I had receipts

I only used rated shackles cause its a safety thing

[ghostrider_oz]

Interestingly I registered a trailer in Tassie approx 6 -8 months ago and did the right thing went an saw my local inspection site asked them what needed upgrading etc and so forth, go told that the rules hadn't changed in Tassie but the inspectors were now expected to ensure chains were rated so off came the old chains and on went $8.50 worth of rated chain.

Now I do not use a rated shackles at the moment (although they are good qualilty marine shackles not $2 shop ones) but I specifically asked the inspector and he said that it wasn't a requirement.

Although I have been meaning to buy a rated one - think I will now!!

[Old Wal]

Just reading this thread. As others have said it is ( should be ) common sense.
Over here in good old VIC. it appears that anything goes ( not legally however ) , and I have seen all sorts of dodgy things. Should't underestimate the importance of safety chains - my older brother is a Paramedic &
he attended an " accident " where a trailer detached from a tow truck , crossed the median strip on a divided h'way and collided with an oncoming car, killing the driver.
I once had a 12 x 6 trailer come unhooked ( due to my carelessness - distracted by the neighbour ) , didn't check that all was well before driving off. FORTUNATELY I had attached the safety chains. Gives me the creeps just thinking about what could have happened. If my old man was alive he would still be kicking my backside.

[itchyvet]

I cant ever remember not seeing em. But not shackles used to just be a threaded bolt type set up

Years ago with a HIRE trailer loaded with camping gear and car loaded with family, traveling the highwat at highway speed, hit a ditch running across road, car went beserk, felt like a giant had hold of the tow bar and was shaking it trying to roll the car, incredibly powerful, applying the brake only made things worse, allowed the car to roll out and come to a stop, checking found trailer had unhitched and the chains were the only thing holding things together, don't like to think what would have happened without the chains.
Turns out the hitch was faulty, and the Hire company went broke a month later, explained why the hitch was in such poor shape.
IMHO, NEVER disregard your chains OR the hitch, better yet, get a hitch that cant' disconnect.

[The BigFella]

I do some awesome miles towing and have always demanded the use of rated shackles, rated tow ball and the best thing of all a hitch lock.
The hitch lock is that last peace of mind you get when you average 5000k's a week, even if I do have a mechanical failure I rest knowing the hitch lock keeps the whole thing connected.

[HammerBuilder]

SA Police have now confirmed that it is a legal
requirement nationwide and it’s the driver’s
responsibility to ensure compliance

Australian Design Rules and the Vehicle Standards Bulletin
govern Trailer design and Towbar design. While both are
very clear about minimum strength requirements for safety
chains, drawbars, towbars and towing hitches, there is no
mention of the humble shackle used to connect the safety
chain to the towbar. We’ve recently heard from reliable
sources that South Australian Police have been fining people
towing trailers for not using a rated shackle to connect the
trailer to the vehicle, and while it’s not a legal requirement in
any state as far as our research has revealed, it may be a case
of better safe than sorry, particularly if you’re planning to
travel through SA!
Tvans have a Gross Trailer Mass of 1500kgs, and a Topaz has
a GTM of 1990kgs, so make sure that when you buy rated
shackles you find ones with a maximum Safe Working Load
(SWL) or Working Load Limit (WLL) greater than the gross
weight of the trailer. Generally this will mean and 11mm
rated D shackle or Bow shackle for the Tvan and a 13mm
rated D shackle or bow shackle for the Topaz, but check the
SWL or WLL before making your purchase.
Rated shackles are available from most 4wd
stores, automotive stores, hardware stores, and
specialty lifting and rigging stores.
A great tip when installing your shackles is to attach a lanyard
to the pin and attach the other end to the trailer. This way,
if your pin works its way loose over corrugations, it won’t
just fall off and get lost. Don’t forget to do the same to the
shackle body too…
to ensure compliance.ure compliance.

Did you also know that over 98% of trailers & caravans that are registered n sold in australia are not 100% built to all of the Aust Design Rules n Regs for as little as above to the other end of the chain is not permitted to be welded to chassis of trailer/caravan.
YOU ALL SHOULD CHECK THE FULL AUSTRALIAN DESIGN RULES N REGULATIONS BEFORE PURCHASING YOUR NEXT TRAILER/CAMPER & EVEN TAKE A COPY WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARE SHOPPING ROUND AS YOU WILL BE SURPRISED AS JUST HOW MANY NON-COMPLIANT VEHICLES ARE ON THE ROAD TODAY & ITS THE PURCHASERS RESPONSIBILTY NOT THE MANUFACTURER AT FAULT IF IT ALL TURNS PAIR SHAPED DUE TO THE CURRENT LAWS & REGS. ONCE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES REALISES THIS IT WILL BE A FREE TICKET FOR THEM TO NOT PAY OUT IN A TIME FOR A CLAIM.
FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY & PIECE OF MIND DON'T BUY IMPORTED EITHER UNLESS YOU TICK ALL THE AUS DES RULES BOXES WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB N DON'T BE BULLIED INTO PAYING A DEPOSIT ON ANYTHING TILL YOU DO YOUR FULL HOMEWORK.
CHEERS N HOPE THIS WILL HELP ALL SOMEHOW 1 DAY.

[outback]

HamerBuilder
You made this point: "Did you also know that over 98% of trailers & caravans that are registered n sold in australia are not 100% built to all of the Aust Design Rules n Regs for as little as above to the other end of the chain is not permitted to be welded to chassis of trailer/caravan"

Not objection nor questioning it but do you have a specific reference to this point. I ask as my new van has the chains welded to the draw bar. If this is non compliant it needs to be fixed. Van is new, 3 months, so manufacturer can do with appropriate persuasion. Also I notice that at many "leisurefest" etc meetings/sales things selling vans most have the chain welded.