Tow Chain Wildfires

[oops]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1407725255657852932

First report I’ve seen this year of wildfire sparked by a tow chain. The first of what I’m sure will be many. ?

Anyone have a manufacturer of rubber/vinyl coated safety chains/cables they like?

Group Buy?

Great point/reminder!?
I go thru my fair share of watercraft. 19 so far to be exact. I currently have two (one for fishing and the other family boating), both with 2-5/16” balls, so I don’t use a multi ball setup. Years ago, I started switching my safety chains out for HD rubber coated cables with about 8” of straight sections on both ends and a curled section in the middle. And I always cross the cables under the tongue. More and more trailer MFG’s (not just boat trailers) either are equipping them as OEM or as an upgraded option.

Smart. I’ve got to look into this. Have a brand you like?

One of my biggest fears is being the guy who starts a wildfire. ?

 

[TomcatF14]

Boat trailer has rubber coated cables. Like fighting with a Anaconda trying to get them on. Not sure if their strength however.

Camper has chains. Easy to adjust the length so they don’t drag. Over a million more campers due to the pandemic, most of them newbies. Unintended pandemic side effect.

 

[Antimatterbluetremor]

You can always hook them up then zip tie up the slack if the chain is too long. I've done that for years. Usually you only need to take up 1-2 inches of slack. A proper length chain is always the better option though.

 

[ECHO-24]

Old fire hose works well for keeping sparks down.

 

[oops]

You can always hook them up then zip tie up the slack if the chain is too long. I've done that for years. Usually you only need to take up 1-2 inches of slack. A proper length chain is always the better option though.

Yeah, it’s not too hard to keep them off the ground at loading time. But when the suspension is moving and you’re going fast, it’s next to impossible to keep metal from hitting the ground if you’ve got a low profile trailer and therefor a large drop from the truck and limited clearance for chains.

And it only takes one spark. ?

 

[oops]

Old fire hose works well for keeping sparks down.

Good idea! ?

 

[oops]

Yeah, it’s not too hard to keep them off the ground at loading time. But when the suspension is moving and you’re going fast, it’s next to impossible to keep metal from hitting the ground if you’ve got a low profile trailer and therefor a large drop from the truck and limited clearance for chains.

And it only takes one spark. ?

I suppose the alternative is running a shorter drop and having some trailers nose high.

Better than starting a fire.

 

[Loshad]

"And it only takes one spark. ?"

And it only takes a spark of intelligence to do it right.
I know that's asking a lot.

 

[ECHO-24]

Good idea! ?

Hit up your local FD, they always have stacks of expired hose.

 

[oops]

"And it only takes one spark. ?"

And it only takes a spark of intelligence to do it right.
I know that's asking a lot.

Unfortunately, if you’re insistent on running bare metal in fire country you’re the dumb one. Why I’m trying to elevate.

Not worth killing someone over.

 

[oops]

Hit up your local FD, they always have stacks of expired hose.

Another wise idea! ?‍?