Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Transportation
Chapter Trans 308 - Requirements for trailer and semi-trailer brake, hitch and coupling, safety chains, cables and leveling bars
Section Trans 308.12 - Safety chains or cables for trailer and mobile homes
Current through February 26, 2024
(1) NUMBER OF LENGTHS OF CHAIN REQUIRED. Two separate lengths of safety chain or cable shall be required on all trailers and mobile homes. This requirement shall not apply to semitrailers having a connecting device composed of a fifth wheel and kingpin assembly (s. 347.47(3), Stats.), to a pole or pipe dolly (s. 347.47(3), Stats.), nor between towing vehicles and full trailers or trailer converter dollies when the towing vehicle is connected to the towed vehicle by means of a pintle and tow bar eye and all the installation and capacity requirements of s. Trans 308.14.
(2) STRENGTH RATINGS FOR SAFETY CHAINS OR CABLES. The strength rating for each length of safety chain or cable used in conjunction with trailers and mobile homes shall be as follows:
|
Maximum Gross Wt. |
Minimum Chain Size |
Minimum Cable Size |
|
2000 lbs . . . |
3/16" proof coil steel chain or equivalent |
5/32" diam. 7 x 19 preformed aircraft cable or equivalent |
|
3500 lbs . . . |
1/4" proof coil steel welded chain or equivalent |
3/16" diam. 7 x 19 preformed aircraft cable or equivalent |
|
5000 lbs . . . |
5/16" proof coil steel welded chain or equivalent |
7/32" diam. 7 x 19 preformed aircraft cable or equivalent |
|
over 5000 lbs . . . |
Strength rating of each length of safety chain or cable shall be equal in minimum break test load to the gross weight of the trailer or mobile home. |
|
(3) ATTACHMENT OF SAFETY CHAINS. The means of attachment of safety chains shall be located equally distant from and on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the towing vehicle and the trailer. Each means of attachment shall have no towing function other than the connection of safety chains and shall not be common with or utilize fasteners common with a ball, socket, ring, pintle, clevis, pin or other equivalent portion of the primary towing arrangement. No welding operation shall be performed on safety chain subsequent to its manufacture. Safety chains shall be so connected that the slack for each length of chain between the trailer and towing vehicle is the same and is not more than necessary to permit proper turning of the vehicles. Each means of attaching chain or cable shall have a longitudinal strength at least equal to the total gross towed weight.
(4) TILT BED TRAILERS, EQUIPMENT. All tilt bed trailers built with a swivel pole to permit angling of pole for forward drive unloading, shall be equipped with a chain at that point where the bend is joined to the pole. Chain shall be of sufficient strength, adequately fastened, and short enough to prohibit the trailer from angling in the event the connecting pin breaks or becomes disconnected.
