Equipment Hauling Safety--Acessories To Secure Your Hitch
If you typically haul equipment from one area to another, then you likely have a heavy duty trailer and the necessary tie-downs to move tractors, farm equipment, and construction vehicles. Safety should always be your number one concern, and this means looking out for your own equipment as well as the other vehicles on the road. Secure tie-downs are a good start to make sure hauling is completed safely. However, there are a few other types of accessories you should consider as well. Keep reading to learn about a few items that are best to secure your hitch safely.
Locking Devices
If you are serious about pulling thousands of pounds of equipment on a regular basis, then you likely have a class three hitch that is designed for extremely large and heavy loads or a class four or five weight distribution hitch. All of these types of hitches may connect to your vehicle with the assistance of a heavy duty pin. While most pins stay secured, it is wise to reduce hitch detachment concerns by investing in a hitch locking system. You can buy either a pin lock or a coupler lock. Pin locks are made to replace the pin that attaches your trailer to your hitch. One side of the stainless steel pin will have a rounded edge while the other has a padlock attached to it. The padlock can be attached to the open top of the pin with a key. Not only will the lock keep the pin from releasing, but it will prevent theft as well.
A coupler lock features a case that fits over the ball part of the hitch. A large bar sits above the ball and a key secures the case after the device is attached. This type of lock prevents the ball part of the hitch from shifting downward and releasing the trailer. Basically, the lock keeps the trailer attached by encasing the hitch. The hitch can also be encased with a device called a lock box. This box is a small safe that sits over the hitch. The pin that secures the hitch sits inside of the box out of sight where unauthorized individuals will be unable to access it. This box can help to keep your hitch secured, and it can also serve as a place where you can store belongings safely. A combination is usually needed to open the box, and a dust cover will be provided to help protect this pad.
Chains
Another good way to make sure that your trailer does not detach from your hitch is to place a chain on it. The type of chain you will need is called a safety chain. Safety chains are chains that are attached to your hitch and to the trailer with the assistance of s-hooks, slip hooks, or quick links. The best chain for equipment hauling is grade 80 chain, so purchase this same chain when buying your safety chain. Make a loop to attach the chain behind the ball part of your trailer hitch. Make sure the loop is tight and attach the clip or hook to the nearest chain link. Create a similar loop on the other end of the chain and secure it to one of the v-shaped metal bars that come off the end of the trailer. If the trailer features a single arm, then look for a hole to attach the chain. Also, you can attach the chain to your tie-downs or the front lip or bumper of the trailer.
Once the chain is in place, your trailer will be unable to roll away from your vehicle if the hitch comes loose for some reason. While the grade 80 safety chain is rated to haul your load, it is unsafe to pull the trailer with the chain alone, since the chain is not rigid enough to force the trailer to turn at a wide angle with your vehicle.
For more information, contact a professional hauling service, such as Santa Fe Tow Service, and inquire about the additional hauling features they use.
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