Caravan safety chains

Russ "n" Sue

I did a quick Google and it appears that AS 4177.4 1994 has been replaced with AS 4177.4 2004

AS 4177.4 2004

The Preface states
PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by Standards Australia Committee ME-052, Caravans and Light Trailer Components to supersede AS 4177.4—1994,
Caravan and light trailer towingcomponents,

Part 4: Safety chains up to 3500 kg capacity. This Standard incorporates Amendment No. 1 (April 2006). The changes required by the Amendment are indicated in the text by a marginal bar and amendment number against the clause, note, table, figure or part thereof affected.
This Standard is Part 4 of AS 4177, Caravan and light trailer towing components, which ispublished in Parts as follows:
Part 1: Towbars and towing brackets
Part 2: 50 mm towballs
Part 3: Coupling body for ball couplings
Part 4: Safety chains up to 3500 kg capacity (this Standard)
Part 5: Electrical connectors

The objective of this Standard is to provide the manufacturers and users, the designation and design requirements for safety chains for use with trailers and caravans of up to 3.5 t aggregate trailer mass, for use on public roads.
In this revision, two different size characters for marking are included.
The term ‘normative’ has been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendix to which it applies.
A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral part of a Standard.
This is a free 6 page sample. Access the full version online.

Blah blah blah


And
Page 5
. 3.3 ElongationThe elongation at the point of fracture of a chain expressed as a percentage of the gaugelength, and comprising plastic elongation and elastic elongation.3.4 Gauge lengthThe portion of the tensile test sample containing the number of links for the purpose of undertaking a specified destructive test.3.5 Proof load
The load which the chain must be able to withstand, while remaining in service.3.6 ShallIndicates that a statement is mandatory. This is a free 6 page sample. Access the full version online.
Page 7
Click on the logos to search the database online. SAI Global also carries a wide range of publications from a wide variety of Standards Publishers: The remainder of this document is available for purchase online atSaiglobal shop
This is a free 6 page sample. Access the full version online. AS 4177.4-2004 Caravan and light trailer towing components -Safety chains up to 3500 kg capacity

Should help you

Russ

Have a look at this. Has a bit more detail.
Site Link

i've only had a quick read but it says chains can be welded up to 3.5T. Let us know how you get on.

Cheers

Hey Russ & Sue,
I have had two trailers made in NSW and brought back new to WA. The first one had to be modified considerably...new lights TWO chains etc. The second one, I specifically asked it to be built to WA rules and it passed OK. One change was that only ONE chain was required on the second one.
It doesn't mean a lot other than, as usual, WA has its own Rules.

Steve

Cant help with your specific question ,but it truly goes to show how ridiculous the system has become that what is legal in 1 state is illegal in another , bout time the laws and regulations in Australia were made uniform Oz wide , if that means getting did of state Governments so be it .....

Just fax Kedron Caravans with a copy of the WA compliance request, and get them to organise the alterations with a company in your area and let them cover the costs directly, it would be part of their warranty.

Cheers
Daza

During the last six months there has been considerable publicity given to the uncovering of a few corrupt vehicle inspectors in WA who were being paid off by a panel shop to pass vehicles that did not comply.

I bet a real big boot has been put up all the staff arses and everyone is now over zealous to a ridiculous exreme.

Give it six more months and everything will be back to commonsense.

Had a piddly little fold up aluminium boat trailer, used for a lightweight ali boat, inspected recently for registration purposes.

The chain had to be replaced with one that met Aus Stds and would probably hold the Queen Mary.

Then came the joke. The shackle could be any old 50 cent one.

What's the point of a strong chain if the shackle can be made of licorice?

Russ, If this bloke was fair dinkum you would expect an x-ray for your weld on the chassis, also a rated shackle on the towbar.
methinks this bloke is talking about lifting chains.
Its that little bit of knowledge that makes them dangerous!
Tom

Slightly OT, but several years ago, I bought a brand new Nissan Patrol 4.2 in Melbourne, we had decided to move interstate to WA and I wanted a go anywhere vehicle as we were driving and camping with the kids on the journey to get to WA.
Anyway part of the new car deal was a bullbar and various other goodies.
On arrival in WA I decided to do the right thing and re register my car here.
Well to cut the story short, the little Nazi inspector took great pleasure in failing my brand new (10,000k) car as the bullbar did not meet the Australian standards!
I contacted the Nissan dealer in Melbourne, and he arranged to have the bullbar removed and replaced with a standard bumper, then re inspected and then had the bullbar reinstated!
Absolute madness!
I heard recently that all chain and "U" connectors must be now stamped with the appropriate AS mark, and some insurance companies may wriggle out of paying up if an accident occurred and this was not done.
Yet at a recent trip to our local caravan dealer manufacturers are still welding chains to "A" frames and no sign of any stamping on the links!

LOL it was $77 for pity's sake. What percentage was that of the price of a new Kedron? Talk about whinging .......

Gidday

and as for the nazis ... well I have spent my four hours in the queue at the Welshpool (WA) licensing centre waiting to have a car inspected and as as much as it is a PITA, you gotta have rules. If there are no rules there is anarchy.


And I am fairly sure I don't want to meet a detached caravan head-on because somebody didn't do his job. People say it will never happen, but it has.


Cheers


Rocco

For definition of the Standard for chains see Clause 8.4.6 HERE

Without getting into the redtape side of things it necomes obvious after welding up a lot of chains to A frames and other agricultural equipment that there's chain and then there's chain.

Having worked in small workshops for a lot of years I know that buying chain out of a drum at the local steel shop means you can finish up with anything. My experience with a lot of small businesses is that red tape is something that just gets in the way of making a profit.

As for Hammerlocks they're probably one of the handiest things you can carry, throw a couple in the tool box, they don't take up much space.

Can I like "Gone Bush" ask the following?

Would someone post a picture of a 'hammerlock".

I don't have the vaguest idea of what it might be other than what I refer to as a D Shackel.

Ian.