Rust on chains - question

mickietucs

I've been in Oceanside, parked at my son's house and while preparing to leave, I noticed rust on the safety chains (my desert mind hasn't had to consider rust before)! It's been about 5 weeks but I'm worried I need to change them immediately. I'm only driving 7 miles today to the campground and will be there 4 nights. Is this something I can do (I haven't looked at where they're attached to the tongue) and how soon should I do it? There isn't a CW near here - where else can I get the chains and what specific "size" am I looking for? Thanks!

Cyclonic

Sounds like it is surface rust and is pretty normal.  Check them ever so often, but you will be fine.

Dalehelman

IMHO surface rust on safety chains would not a problem for years. You could wipe them down with WD40 from time to time.

Nomad

Agree with others, surface rust is not a problem.
I did replace mine awhile back, wanted bigger hooks. Simple to do, two bolts on bottom side of frame. I bought them at a trailer place only because none of the hardware stores had the right length in stock.

db_cooper

I use Boeshield T-9 for everything,  has a wax in it to hold the lubricant in.  Bike chains,  hitch ball,  coupler,  tools,  etc.   It is really a great lubricant.    But agree with others,  no way your chain is compromised in 5 weeks,  even if you left it laying in saltwater.

irvingj

Ditto on the surface rust not being a problem. (You should see the safety chains on my 30-year-old boat!)  And another STRONG vote for Boeshield T-9!! Was introduced to that stuff after purchasing a '56 Piper PA-22-150. Boeshield is really awesome; I also use it everywhere!

kidware

We replaced ours with vinyl coated, coiled cables ... much easier to work with.

ericnliz

kidware, Where did you get the vinyl coiled cables? 

Verna

I love mine, @ericnliz . From Amazon, and there are other choices, mostly more expensive. The ones I have are good for 5,000 lbs. My original safety chains were a few inches too short. No problem now. 

ericnliz

Verna, thanks. Ours were too long for either [here we go again] of my TV's [not the kind you watch ]. I had to shorten them by about 3". Not hard, two nuts, two washers, and two lock washers. 

mickietucs

Thanks all! I'll look for the rust stuff and dry lubricant soon. Tomorrow heading inland (boo-hoo) and back to the desert area soon. See you at T@Bazona in Jan!

jkjenn

@Verna I just got those Curt chains delivered today. Will 40" be long enough? They seem short.

Verna

@jkjenn, I no longer have my T@B S Max, but whatever length of coiled cable came with this purchase was sufficient in length. 

jkjenn

Verna said:

@jkjenn, I no longer have my T@B S Max, but whatever length of coiled cable came with this purchase was sufficient in length. 

Thanks, @Verna! I think they will work for me, too. I am just so used to the super long chains that came with the T@b. This is on the weekend to-do list. I have my PB Blaster ready, if needed.