Sunday, Apr 21, 2013 at 21:11
the requirement that no part of the drawbar or the safety chains striking the ground is mentioned in a couple of
places.
The different requirements will be in different parts of the regs.
I thaught it was in VSB01...this is only a summary...there is a passing reference concerning the attachment point of the chains not being able to come in contact with the ground.
VSB01 only covers trailer construction not use.
It is fairly
well discribed in ADR 44/00 specific purpose vehicle requirements.
section 44.2.4 Combinations of Trailers and Motor Vehicles ( other than road trains)
"44.2.4.3.2.2. it will prevent the forward end of the `Drawbar' from striking the ground in the event of accidental disconnection of the `Coupling'."
I think you may also find the issue specificaly addressed in some state legeslation and in some state towing guides.
There are a great many trailers designed and built in the past where the chain is attached to the bottom of the draw bar or overhangs the bottom of the drawbar......
this is plainly unsatisfactory as if the drawbar strikes the ground the attachment will be ground off on the road in very short order....as a friend of
mine found...it took less than 20 meters for the chain to be ground thru
As for the american trailer standards........I pointed out that they are different.....better or worse does not matter....no point refeering to American regulations or requirements.....they are worth nothing in Australia
As for the recommendation that chains be crossed behind the ball......this was on the fitting instructions that came with hayman reece tow bars.
At one time you could download the fitting instructions for all hayman reece tow bars sold in australia.....I cant find this facility now.
try as you might , on many rigs it is impossible to get the chains short enough to stop the drawbar striking the ground without taking the chain or chains behind the tow ball.
cheers
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