mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Jul 8, 2017 15:40:15 GMT -8
Also how long do you think the chains need to be? we will probably be using a 12" extension while towing. There's a washer, lock washer and nut inside the frame rail. The last time I towed the chains looped back about halfway, so should still be ok with the extension, depending in your vehicle. Back up to the camper and see how a 3 foot length works...remember to account for crossing under the coupler. So you bought a 6' and cut it in half? |
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Post by danrhodes on Jul 8, 2017 17:00:21 GMT -8
There's a washer, lock washer and nut inside the frame rail. The last time I towed the chains looped back about halfway, so should still be ok with the extension, depending in your vehicle. Back up to the camper and see how a 3 foot length works...remember to account for crossing under the coupler. So you bought a 6' and cut it in half? Yup... Had Home Depot do it while sizing my bolts. $13 for 6' on Amazon |
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ladywendolyn
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1964 Golden Falcon
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Post by ladywendolyn on Jul 8, 2017 18:03:03 GMT -8
Just a small thing but we were encouraged to criss-cross our chains, so that if the ball comes out it drops into the x created by the crossing. Not sure if anyone does this... we have only had a hitch come off once. The chains luckily held
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Post by danrhodes on Jul 8, 2017 18:08:34 GMT -8
Just a small thing but we were encouraged to criss-cross our chains, so that if the ball comes out it drops into the x created by the crossing. Not sure if anyone does this... we have only had a hitch come off once. The chains luckily held Yes, with this mounting location, the 3 foot chains can cross under the tongue with plenty of slack to loop back. I think it would work for mel extension too.  |
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Jul 9, 2017 16:54:14 GMT -8
I went to home depot and they had these chains and they came with that C thing to screw into the coupler/frame. So I decided to just go ahead and use what came with it. I should have got a photos of it hooked up to the jeep. Maybe Ill snap one it the morning if I remember.  IMG_1645 by Mel L, on Flickr |
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Post by danrhodes on Jul 9, 2017 17:24:47 GMT -8
Looks good. You drill 2 holes and mount the bracket? I assume you got 2?
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Jul 9, 2017 17:36:46 GMT -8
Looks good. You drill 2 holes and mount the bracket? I assume you got 2? Yes two holes on each side, and we went through the coupler and frame. online is says they are $8something and we didnt know then that they came with the U bracket. But then when we got there in the store they were $12. So I was annoyed with that and showed them the online price and they were nice enough to discount them for me. Im pretty happy with them, my drill bit was not. the first two holes ate up my bit and we had to run up and buy a new one. lol www.homedepot.com/p/Reese-Towpower-36-in-Safety-Chain-7007600/202282291 |
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Post by danrhodes on Jul 9, 2017 18:35:20 GMT -8
Looks good. You drill 2 holes and mount the bracket? I assume you got 2? Yes two holes on each side, and we went through the coupler and frame. online is says they are $8something and we didnt know then that they came with the U bracket. But then when we got there in the store they were $12. So I was annoyed with that and showed them the online price and they were nice enough to discount them for me. Im pretty happy with them, my drill bit was not. the first two holes ate up my bit and we had to run up and buy a new one. lol www.homedepot.com/p/Reese-Towpower-36-in-Safety-Chain-7007600/202282291Drilling old steel sideways is hard. A spray bottle of something helps, lubricant or even water. I just buy cheap bits and eat them up. |
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Aug 3, 2017 17:39:19 GMT -8
Yes two holes on each side, and we went through the coupler and frame. online is says they are $8something and we didnt know then that they came with the U bracket. But then when we got there in the store they were $12. So I was annoyed with that and showed them the online price and they were nice enough to discount them for me. Im pretty happy with them, my drill bit was not. the first two holes ate up my bit and we had to run up and buy a new one. lol www.homedepot.com/p/Reese-Towpower-36-in-Safety-Chain-7007600/202282291Drilling old steel sideways is hard. A spray bottle of something helps, lubricant or even water. I just buy cheap bits and eat them up. Yes, always use oil when drilling steel, don't get impatient and push so hard that the drill bogs down (let speed do the work, not pressure), and back out often to clear the chips and refresh the oil if it's burned away, your bits will last much longer. My brother gave me a drill bit sharpening machine for Christmas a few years ago (never saw one before), but I haven't used it yet. It's kinda like a Kreg jig with a motor in it. |
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SimonTuffGuy
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1973 Shasta 1400
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Post by SimonTuffGuy on Jun 26, 2018 5:25:11 GMT -8
After reading through this post (and the other one that was linked)... I'm a little concerned over how I attached my new set of chains. I picked up a safety chain, rated for 5,000lbs, and bolted it through the tongue/coupler on the front of the trailer. There was an existing set of chains that were welded to the bottom, but beyond rusted and the safety clips that were on them were not safe for todays standards. I bolted them with 1/2" grade 8 bolts. Washer on the top and bottom with a lock washer.    Both spots where I drilled through were "double layered" and figured the extra strength in going from the top would hold that in place. The last thought that I had was to get a bolt that was a little bit longer and add a locking nut (nylon threaded of some variety) and/or, have someone give the bottom of the nut just a small tack weld on it to keep it from potentially backing off. Am I over thinking this? You can see the original chain weld location in the last 2 pictures of where I sawed them off. Both chains move freely (the next link coming off the one that is bolted to the frame) and don't bind. |
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Post by vikx on Jun 29, 2018 20:32:12 GMT -8
They look good to me...
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