Adding Trailer Safety Chains to Small Utility Trailer

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I want to avoid being in the trailer fail thread so figured I would run something by you guys first.I have a 2k pound payload utility trailer, and it came with two recoil cables that have a bolt through the 0.120 (11 ga?) frame tube underneath to attach it. It's close enough to the edge that I think the metal would likely rip through before the hardware fails and it works fine. The tow hooks no longer fit through my hitch so I want to change out the cables and hooks.I'm looking at these 5/16" chains with weld on retainers:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...DZJ1Z26VF&th=1I know they aren't the most spectacular - but are "rated" 9x the trailer weight.My question is around attachment - Is it worth the time to add a diamond shaped backer plate to the side of the frame where I would weld these on? Is there something else you would suggest instead?
Reply:For us to judge the situation well, you need to add good pictures showing it all well. Did you know that safety chains should cross under the tow bar before attaching to the hitch, so as to cradle it (thus keep it from dropping onto and hitting the road) if it did come loose?
Reply:I think diamond-shaped well-rounded backer is a great idea especially since it is 11gauge.
Reply:Not an expert here but if I was doing this I would make the backers as long as possible to distribute the load and get more weld connecting the backers to the trailer frame.  This is with out knowing how thin or thick the material is on the trailer.  I’m guessing the trailer is about 1/8” maybe 10ga.  I would not weld it all out at once, perhaps 1/2” long welds at a time staggered.  Might even drill a couple holes in the backer to do some through hole spot welding.Last edited by N2 Welding; 4 Weeks Ago at 03:28 PM.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:The hooks for my 10,000 pound dump trailer worked perfectly, until my new Silverado 2500 arrived a couple years ago.This hook was the answer, it connected to the old truck, and the GIANT hitch on the new 2500HD,,https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1Everything on the back of this truck is bigger, 2.5" receiver, instead of 2",, and the safety chain hook holes are enormous,,


Reply:

Originally Posted by Oldiron2

For us to judge the situation well, you need to add good pictures showing it all well. Did you know that safety chains should cross under the tow bar before attaching to the hitch, so as to cradle it (thus keep it from dropping onto and hitting the road) if it did come loose?
Reply:

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

This is with out knowing how thin or thick the material is on the trailer.  I’m guessing the trailer is about 1/8” maybe 10ga.
Reply:

Originally Posted by SweetMK

The hooks for my 10,000 pound dump trailer worked perfectly, until my new Silverado 2500 arrived a couple years ago.This hook was the answer, it connected to the old truck, and the GIANT hitch on the new 2500HD,,https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1Everything on the back of this truck is bigger, 2.5" receiver, instead of 2",, and the safety chain hook holes are enormous,,
Reply:Why not just put larger hooks on the cables? It's a small trailer not a logging pup hauling 50,000 lbs.
Reply:

Originally Posted by meltdown

I'm looking at these 5/16" chains with weld on retainers:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...DZJ1Z26VF&th=1I know they aren't the most spectacular - but are "rated" 9x the trailer weight.?
Reply:

Originally Posted by M J D

Why not just put larger hooks on the cables? It's a small trailer not a logging pup hauling 50,000 lbs.