Chains

[ShiftyK5]

Whats the minimum and max sized chain you would use for vehicle recovery/come along/ pulling tree logs/ and general purpose chain use.

and not sure what length i should get. 10ft, 20ft, ?

tow straps i had didnt hold up to all the abuse and i dont wanna spend $100 plus on a big fat recovery strap that i will mangle with tree logs and the like

 

[bronc3buster842001]

I got some 5/16ths i use. I got 2 15' sections and thats been plenty so far.

 

[NEK5]

I`m sure I won`t be the only one here who frowns upon using chain. Do yourself a favor and buy whatever length you need in tug boat rope.

 

[Thunder]

I carry a 30' 5/16 chain. It works for me. Also have a lifting strap I got from a crane out fit. It is good for 20K pounds and smaller than those recovery straps.They have to get rid of them if they get frayed or the wear indicators start showing. The place around here just gives them away.

 

[Stomis]

Chains are fine just DONT snap pull with them.

 

[ShiftyK5]

thanks for opinions. gonna try to go grab a 5/16th chain today.
tired of tearing up my straps

 

[k20]

I gotta 30' length of 5/16 and a 20ft length of 3/8 (hey its what was laying around the house unused). Never used it for vehicle recovery, but anchoring off for hi-lift winching, pulling fallen trees off the trails, etc, comes in hand.

 

[Goose]

FYI, chain is rated at different strengths just similar to bolts.
5/16 grade 30 proof coil is rated at 1,900 lbs working load limit
5/16 grade 43 high test is 3,900
5/16 grade 70 transport is 4,700

For 3/8,
30 is 2,650
43 is 5,400
70 is 6,600

For reference, most boomers you'll find are rated at 5,400.
30 proof coil usually doen't have any marks on the links, if so it will be a '30' or just '3'
43 high test has a '43' or similar every link or every 3rd link or similar
70 transport has a '70' or '7' or similar every link or every 3rd.

 

[ShiftyK5]

FYI, chain is rated at different strengths just similar to bolts.
5/16 grade 30 proof coil is rated at 1,900 lbs working load limit
5/16 grade 43 high test is 3,900
5/16 grade 70 transport is 4,700

For 3/8,
30 is 2,650
43 is 5,400
70 is 6,600

For reference, most boomers you'll find are rated at 5,400.
30 proof coil usually doen't have any marks on the links, if so it will be a '30' or just '3'
43 high test has a '43' or similar every link or every 3rd link or similar
70 transport has a '70' or '7' or similar every link or every 3rd.

Great info thanks

 

[onetonbb74]

20' of 5/16ths grade 70 in a bag at home depot for 30-40 bux, iirc

 

[jonathon]

I've got some grade 70 5/16's chain I use for my Ranger.. Planning get a couple good lengths of grade 80 3/8's chain for my Suburban and Blazer. Ammo cans make great storage for chain..

Don't use chains for yanking unless you want them to become projectiles... best case they'd break a window or dent your body, worst case it'd hit you