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1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 10:47 pm
by Razorback
Ever since we got our Avion, I knew I should replace the safety chains because a previous owner had drug them on the ground and lost about 1/2 the thickness of one of the links. I gathered the adjacent links with a screw link/quick link, but I never really liked that solution. Those chains were attached to a welded loop on the underneath side of the A-frame/coupler area. I'm no engineer, but looking at that loop, I wasn't confident that it would hold up if it was ever really needed. I have seen folks anchor their safety chains to the side of the box channels and reinforce them with extra plates of metal. Was thinking of doing that on mine.

A week or so ago, I called Chuck Cayo (Mr. Avion) to ask him what he thought of that loop. He suggested something so amazingly simple:
Get a length of chain, loop it over the top of the middle frame member, suspend them from that original loop, then attach them to the tow vehicle. We both agreed that you'd be hard pressed to make a stronger connection if the chains were ever put to real use.

Here are some pictures of the results:

Re: 1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 11:54 pm
by KYAvion
That's a great idea and I'll have to do the same. My new Avion is missing the welded loop and instead has a pair of old rusty bolts and washers attaching the chain to the underside of the tongue. I was going to fasten new bolts to the side of the tongue, but Chuck's solution is much simpler.

Re: 1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 8:23 am
by Razorback
I meant to list the parts used and where I got them:

8' of 3/8" hitest chain from Lowes, $31.04
2 - 5/16"clevis slip hook from Tractor Supply, item #3586673, $11.99/ea
The screw link was something I already had, purchased from Tractor Supply.... maybe $7?

Re: 1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:00 am
by Avionstream
My chains are much smaller than those, I guess I needvtonreplace them. Thanks forbthe heads up

Re: 1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 6:47 pm
by Razorback
Avionstream wrote:My chains are much smaller than those, I guess I needvtonreplace them. Thanks forbthe heads up
That might just be me..... typical overkill? I don't know...... I sure like them, though.

Re: 1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 4:01 pm
by Rostam
I followed Paul's instructions and replaced the safety chains today (Except that I bought the chains from Home Depot!). After removing the old chains, I applied anti-rust to the area, looped the chain around the middle beam (Per Chuck Cayo) and used new (stronger) nuts to fasten it to the bolts. I should have take a before photo, but I usually forget to do that!

P.S. I found an old photo of the safety chain. The new chain is much more stout than the old one.

Re: 1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 5:13 pm
by RISK
That's interesting, so it's one long chain? If so, how long is it? If not, I may be a bit dense due to the heat and the fact that I just finished my suspension job. Also a bit beat up crawling around on the ground and muscling old bolts and heavy things.

Ian

Re: 1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 5:22 pm
by Rostam
Yep, one 7' chain (I believe Paul's chain is 8'). Its bolted to the A-frame as before, but since it goes around the middle frame beam, there is a back up plan, so if ever (god forbid) the bolt brakes, the chain will still hold the camper.

Re: 1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 8:57 pm
by RISK
Huh... what a terrific trick.
Thanks.

Re: 1987 34W - New Safety Chains

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 11:08 pm
by Razorback
I'm glad that helped you. I thought it was a terrific idea, and I wish that I had thought of it myself!