our new car

[joe2006]

Well I have looked & whilst there is lots of talk about the not being able to use 2 D shackles per chain, nobody can identify the specific regulation or legislation.

http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/mvr/vehiclestandards/inspectorbulletins/vib13i.pdf

http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/__d...54354/Light_Trailer_Requirements_for_VSB1.pdf

These links are about the best that have been dished up and again no mention of using more than one D shackle.

It was stated that earlier versions of VSB1 stipulated that chains could not be joined by use of shackles but maybe all this talk is just another urban myth?

What is interesting is the size of the appropriate shackle.

Anyway Tony, I would not be holding my breath for anyone to come up with the relevant legislation although I reckon you might have suspected that .

 

[joe2006]

I have posted the question about the location of the relevant legislation/regulation regarding the use of multiple shackles elsewhere.

So far the only derogatory thing I have been told is to use common sense & install longer chains. Nobody has identified the relevant regulation but I will advise if anything is forthcoming.

After properly(?) reading the links I last posted, it is interesting that the Break Load limit of the shackle should be 1.5 times the ATM of the trailer. I was thinking that in my case, the shackle would therefore need to be rated at 4700kg however this is not correct. The break load of the rated shackles is 6 times the work load. Therefore a 10mm S or 6 grade shackle with a work load of 1000kg, would be suitable for vans with an ATM of up to 4002kg. If what I am saying is correct , I better go out & purchase some 10mm rated shackles after I check they will fit through the chains.

I don’t suppose anybody would like to concur?

 

[Old.Tony]

I've just downloaded ADR 62 and I'm reading it. The relevant section appears to be 13.4, 14.3, 14.4. There's a table on page 12 defining the size of the chain required and they don't list under 3.5T. For our trailers, they refer us to Australian Standard 4177.4 -1994 "Safety Chains up to 3500 kg" (ARD 62 s14.4.2). I think we'll need to pay to get that standard from SAIGlobal.

As for how the chains are affixed, the ADR only covers how it's affixed to the trailer, NOT to the tug. I think that's an oversight. In 14.3.1 it says "Safety chains must be permanently attached to the trailer" and then goes on to define HOW to attach it. There is NO mention of how to attach it to the tug. This might be covered in the aforementioned Australian Standard.

So, we need to get our hands on that. Anyone have a copy of Australian Standard 4177.4 -1994 "Safety Chains up to 3500 kg" lying around?

 

[joe2006]

Well it appears that the 2 shackle issue is BS.

Nobody can come up with anything to say it can't be done. Even when referring to Occupational Health & Safety regulations and the joining of chains, it appears there is nothing supportive to be found.

Anyway what ever happened to the good old days?

If there is no specific requirement regarding the attachment of safety chains to the tug, we could go back to using these (from my XW Ford).

I see Greg & Marg have not been back yet.