Just putting it out there ( dont think its been bought up b4 ) all D shackles have to be rated , determined by color code . Cops in Adelaide are getting hot on it and lightening your wallet by $235.00
RATED D SHACKLES
- Thread starter BUSH PALACE
- Start date
i would not tow with non rated, a cheap one you could break with less than a few hundred kilos of the same size , used to sell em in the past life, and some of the ones from china were buggered before they even got out the door.
This had me curious as my van hasn't got colour coded shackles however they are marked with the Hayman Reese brand name. I found this on the QLD transport website http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/S... and towing/Safe towing/Safe_towing_guide.pdf Pages 7 and 8 give the explanation of the rating system and it shows that the manufactures name, the shackle diameter and a load rating code are all required to work out the load rating of the shackle and not the colour.
It would seem that mine are not compliant as there is no load rating code.
It would seem that mine are not compliant as there is no load rating code.
Well just checked and none of ours have ratings or anything at all on them and we just picked the van up a couple of months ago new.
Our ATM is 2155 so I need two 2 tonne to cover 3.3tonne? Or two each over 3.3 tonne
As looking at the below "the break load limit of the shackle is rated at least 1.5 times greater than the ATM of
the trailer"
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/S... and towing/Safe towing/Safe_towing_guide.pdf
yep , sometimes red pins, but should always have WLL (working load limit) or SWL ( safe working load ) stamped or moulded on them.
When I picked up my 17.56-2OB it had unrated galv shackles on it. Didn't think toomuch of it until I took it back for service and warranty work. The guy helping me hitch up asked "Where did you get your shackles from?" "They were on it when I bought it" I said. "Where did you buy it from?" "Here" I said! He quickly ran and got me some new ones!!!
I have since bought some spares which I keep in the toolbag also.
Wow... I suppose I better go check the ones on the van and see what is on them. I certainly know they aren't colour coded though, as I would recall that from hitching up.
Cheers for the heads up.
Yep you need rated shackles to be legal. But before you go getting all excited about being good. Think what the rating is on the poxy weld they do where the chains meets the aframe?
Yep I have Had a trailer part company with the car and I can tell you poxy unrated shackles hold better than poxy welds
;-)
Yep I have Had a trailer part company with the car and I can tell you poxy unrated shackles hold better than poxy welds
;-)
Last edited:
Mine are colored yellow, 10mm and stamped as follows;
WLL 1T Q S A2 10mm on the shackle
I think that means 1Tonne capacity
Checked this site to try to make sense of this.
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Vehicle standards and modifications/Loads and towing/Safe towing/Safe_towing_guide.pdf
If towing an Expanda 14.44-5 OB, I think I need ones with greater capacity, yes?
Marv
WLL 1T Q S A2 10mm on the shackle
I think that means 1Tonne capacity
Checked this site to try to make sense of this.
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Vehicle standards and modifications/Loads and towing/Safe towing/Safe_towing_guide.pdf
If towing an Expanda 14.44-5 OB, I think I need ones with greater capacity, yes?
Marv
Saw this on the www.towingguide.com.au site
Do any of you 'Cross over' your chains and check to make sure that your chains are not too long?
Safety Chains
Safety chains are compulsory in all States and Territories of Australia. They must be strong enough to hold the trailer and prevent the drawbar from touching the ground, should the coupling fail or be accidently disconnected from the ball.
Trailers less than 2,500kgs ATM must be fitted with at least one safety chain of at least 9.5mm in diameter. Trailers over 2,500kgs ATM and up to 3,500kgs must have two safety chains. Chains must comply with AS4177-4 and have a size designation at least equal to the trailer ATM.
The chains attach the ‘A’ frame or drawbar of the trailer to the main towbar framework on the vehicle. The attachment must be made with ‘D’ shackles of equivalent strength to the chains. It is vital that the chains are attached to the main towbar framework and not to a detachable ball mount or tongue. Safety chains must be stamped with the chain’s capacity, the manufacturer’s identification and the digits 4177.
The chains should be as short as possible, leaving only enough slack to permit tight turns. If two are required they should be crisscrossed under the trailer tongue to prevent the forward end of the drawbar from hitting the ground if the coupling becomes disconnected.
Do any of you 'Cross over' your chains and check to make sure that your chains are not too long?
Safety Chains
Safety chains are compulsory in all States and Territories of Australia. They must be strong enough to hold the trailer and prevent the drawbar from touching the ground, should the coupling fail or be accidently disconnected from the ball.
The chains attach the ‘A’ frame or drawbar of the trailer to the main towbar framework on the vehicle. The attachment must be made with ‘D’ shackles of equivalent strength to the chains. It is vital that the chains are attached to the main towbar framework and not to a detachable ball mount or tongue. Safety chains must be stamped with the chain’s capacity, the manufacturer’s identification and the digits 4177.
The chains should be as short as possible, leaving only enough slack to permit tight turns. If two are required they should be crisscrossed under the trailer tongue to prevent the forward end of the drawbar from hitting the ground if the coupling becomes disconnected.
Yep Marv, do cross my chains out of habit, the cross is to catch the trailer if it falls. Always pin my catch on the ball and swing my jockey wheel towards the rear, if it ever drops won't push the trailer up and off, just bounce along. On the van I remove it altogether.