Safety Chain Holder (max. 3500kg ATM)

Safety Chain Holder for Trailer Drawbars | Up to 3500kg ATM

The Couplemate™ Safety Chain Holder is ADR-compliant and has been rated up to a 3500kg ATM.

All trailers, caravans, and campers within Australia must be connected to the tow vehicle via safety chains. As per AS4177.4 specifications, light trailers up to 2500kg require need one chained connection (usually 10mm chain). All trailers over 2500kg require two chained connections (13mm).

This chain holder suits both 10mm and 13mm applications.

Chain Holder Specifications

View the technical schematic.

• Materials: Steel (HA250, 4140)
• Finish: Electro-plated (zinc)
• Pin Diameter: 24mm

Test results are as below.

• Longitudinal Tension – 9.81 x ATM (kg) – 37kN – Pass
• Vertical Tension – 0.5 x 9.81 x ATM (kg) – 18.9kN – Pass

N.B. You can download a copy of the Specification Sheet here.

How to Install: Welded Safety Chain Holder

The Safety Chain Holder must be welded to the trailer or caravan drawbar (of which the material must be 3mm or thicker).

The longer side of the holder (141mm length) must be horizontal with the ground. The holding pin must point to the front of the trailer (i.e. toward tow vehicle). Weld completely along the top and bottom sides of the component (see below diagram). Weld leg must be 6mm thick (minimum).

Orientation and weld bead thickness for the CM551-3 (Safety Chain Holder).

Additional Specifications for Manufacturers

• Trailers up to 2.5t use one safety chain whereas trailers over 2.5t use 2 safety chains.
• Stamp every 4 links of the safety chain. The characters on the links are at least 1.5 mm high for chains less than 8 mm in link diameter and
  not less than 2 mm high for chains 8 mm and above.
• When welding the safety chain to the chassis, weld at least 50% of the chain link, horizontally.
• It is permitted to use a hammerlock to link a safety chain to a chain holder, provided the holder has a 4140 steel pin.
• The top and bottom plates are 8mm and laser cut in Australia.
• Smaller plates are not recommended as they are unlikely to pass the break-load limits tests unless they are manufactured from high-tensile steel.

Find the correct size dee shackle here.

Hammerlocks

• Use a 10mm hammerlock to secure the chain to the chain holder for caravans up to 2.5t.
• Use a 13mm hammerlock to secure the chain to the chain holder for caravans between 2.5t and 3.5t.

Finally, will this article alarm or surprise you?