Trailer safety chains

Rick: Just curious ... What was/is the offence section for secondary means of attachment, with respect to crossing chains, or types of hooks ? I can only recall the requirement in the HTA, was that the secondary attachment had to be such that it prevented the trailer or device from becoming unattached. The reg section you posted, is that an offence section or just a regulatory section ? The offence section makes no mention of the attachment having to comply with another regulation. I know the MTO guys were a lot more conversant with the regulations than most officers.

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

Rick: Just curious ... What was/is the offence section for secondary means of attachment, with respect to crossing chains, or types of hooks ? I can only recall the requirement in the HTA, was that the secondary attachment had to be such that it prevented the trailer or device from becoming unattached. The reg section you posted, is that an offence section or just a regulatory section ? The offence section makes no mention of the attachment having to comply with another regulation. I know the MTO guys were a lot more conversant with the regulations than most officers.

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Hi Rick, yes that's just the regulation ( I noticed it doesn't refer to the reg as well - pretty sure it used to before the HTA absorbed some other acts and regs) but the charge section is still section 80 (1) of the HTA. The fine is larger for big trucks.

Section 80 - Improper means of attachment $110
Section 80 - Improper means of attachment - commercial motor vehicle $240

Attachments required when vehicle drawn on highway

80. (1) No motor vehicle, other than a motor vehicle in which there is a person licensed to drive a motor vehicle on a highway, trailer or other object or device shall be drawn by a motor vehicle or farm tractor on a highway unless there are two separate means of attachment so constructed and attached that the failure of one such means will not permit the motor vehicle, trailer, object or device being drawn to become detached; but this section does not apply to a trailer, object or device attached or coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a fifth wheel attachment or to a trailer or other object or device when drawn directly across a highway by a farm tractor. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 80.
Penalty

(2) Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and, if the offence was committed by means of a commercial motor vehicle within the meaning of subsection 16 (1), on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $20,000. 1996, c. 20, s. 18.

By the way this is right out of my CVSA book which determines whether the vehicle is placed out of service or not.

I know a lot of cops will say you need a secondary means of attachment so the hooks don't come off but for light duty trailers they still get the go (MTO policy is to let light duty vehicles go if they';re just using S hooks)

They refer to the secondary means as a retainer. Anything can be used as a retainer, such as a rubber band, as long as whatever is used keeps the hook from coming off. Again, for MTO purposes we are talking big trucks. When I haul my boat I just hang the S hook on the hitch with no retainer.

Thanks, that was pretty much my understanding as well. I always figured that any secondary attachment met the requirements, UNTIL it came loose. Unless of course the attachment was blatantly insufficient. I've seen chains just hanging on a copper wire hook on a farm tractor !! Looked good from a distance !

A common defect is worn chains,in which case they need replacing on the spot. It seems a lot of people let their chains drag which wears them down creating flat spots on the links. When this happens these chains no longer meet the working load limit (it brings them right down to 0 working limit) so make sure your chains are in good shape.

(12) Where a trailer hitch is installed, the trailer hitch, hitch mounting and connecting devices for safety cables and chains shall be inspected and tested and,
(a) no trailer hitch or towing structure, to which a trailer hitch is attached shall be insecurely mounted;
(b) no latch mechanism shall fail to close securely;
(c) no part shall be missing, cracked, broken, excessively bent, seized or excessively worn;
(d) no cast or forged hitch shall show any indication that repairs have been made by means of brazing or welding; and
(e) no connecting devices provided at the rear of a vehicle for the attachment of a safety chain or cable shall be insecurely fastened, missing, cracked, broken or excessively worn.

http://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900611#BK8

And EACH chain shall be capable of stopping /holding the total weight of the trailers, this normally means 1/2" chain and hooks on a utility trailer.....kinda large and heavy.

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Originally Posted by patvetzal

And EACH chain shall be capable of stopping /holding the total weight of the trailers, this normally means 1/2" chain and hooks on a utility trailer.....kinda large and heavy.

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Here's a guide to help with that. A new trailer should have the proper chains from the manufacturer however if you're replacing or making a home made trailer this guide will help. Grade of chain plays a big roll:

I can use good 1/4" - 5/16 " chain, but need 1/2" hook to get the SWL , at least from local sources, including Princess Auto...

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Originally Posted by last5oh_302

Here's a guide to help with that. A new trailer should have the proper chains from the manufacturer however if you're replacing or making a home made trailer this guide will help. Grade of chain plays a big roll:

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Thanks for the chart, that's downright handy.