We were in the woods a couple of weeks ago and my truck got stuck. Not bogged, but simply couldn't gain any traction on the wet grass of a pipeline we were scouting. Thankfully, we were reasonably prepared and had the truck moving in short order, but I realized at that time that I didn't own any chain.
Chain, of all things, is a durable good. Very seldom will anything happen to a chain that can't be fixed. The worst that might happen is that it might be lost, or stolen. I've bought a good supply of chain in my lifetime, and when I noticed that I was temporarily chain-less, I decided to do something about it.
I went today to my local hardware store after work. I've been trading with them for the past seven years and they've treated me fairly at every turn. I like a good hardware store. So, I went inside and asked the lady for 20 feet of chain. Nothing fancy, just some 1/4 welded link chain that I could put in the truck. And a couple of clevis for the end. When she rang it up, I almost had a stroke right there at the register.
Seventy dollars. Actually $71.70.
Just damn!
Similar experience about a year ago. Needed 45 feet. When told the price I asked if it came with something to hold down one end of it, like maybe a boat or something.
ReplyDeleteSales guy didn't think it funny.
I went home with cable instead.
I am completely ignorant here. What is the strength of 1/4 welded chain. Is 20 feet the minimum? How much would that weigh?
ReplyDeleteAs the proud owner of a 1970 Ford F-100 I am in the slow process of fixing it up and kitting it out.
I know I have to learn about winches, but chain is new.
Harbor Freight on their website sells a 35' tub of 1300 lb test 1/4" welded link chain for $29.99 plus shipping. If they have a store near you almost all honor the website pricing. $70 for 20' is extortionate.
ReplyDeleteGerry N.
Wendy - 1/4 inch welded chain is the standard redneck chain around here. If someone asks if you've got a chain, he's expecting to borrow 1/4 inch. If he needs something stronger, he'll ask for "logging chain". That may be a local thing. 1/4 inch chain is plenty strong for most towing tasks.
ReplyDeleteGerry - I'll have to check on your Harbor Freight tip. Thanks.
Get stainless and get no rust in your toolbox or on your hands. Only $4.75 per foot for 1/4".
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stainlesschains.net/
Chain is fairly obsolete for your use, PawPaw. Of course it will do the job, but most everyone uses nylon strap for that work nowadays.
ReplyDeleteThe advantage of nylon is that it stores easier, weighs less than 10% of chain, and has "snatch" capability.
Snatch is important because it is a force multiplier. Sometimes, when you are bogged, you need more force applied than the towing vehicle can give you. That is where "snatch" comes in. The nylon strap rebounds like a rubber band (just a few percent, actually), but it gives you maybe 25% more force than you would have gotten with chain or cable.
Cable WILL do the job, but it is a bear to work with, doesn't like to coil (unless you get the VERY spendy "aircraft cable") and it can murder your hands if even one strand breaks. You MUST wear the thickest gloves when using cable.
I have a 25' snatch strap I have had for almost 40 years. It has pulled out my Dad's old CJ5 several times in it's early life, and a succession of full-size trucks since then. I think it has a 5,000# breaking strength, probably a third of that as working strength.
BTW, for you chain guys, try buying 5/16" proof-coil anchor chain. It has a 1900# working strength, breaking at 7600#, and costs $3.89/foot. I carry 100' on my boat, plus 150' of rope anchor rode.
I wish there were a way I could use nylon strap for anchor rode, but I've never heard of anyone doing it. It would have to be mounted on a drum, and twist would be an issue with it.
+1 on Rivrdog's snatch strap. There's one in the toolbox on my truck. It's been handy several times.
ReplyDeleteDamn- Prices HAVE gone up! Last time I bought chains, I "think" I paid $1.25 a foot for 1/4 inch... And yeah, snatch straps are a good idea!
ReplyDeleteYeah, Rivrdog. I agree with you about the snatch starp. They're good stuff. I don't have much luck with them because I loan them to nitwits. If someone doesn't know how to be the driver in a towed car, they run over the strap, it gets wrapped around the undercarriage, and you've got a hell of a mess. I've destroyed the last two I bought by towing idiots.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lesson there somewhere and one of these days I'll learn it.
Paw Paw, you're far too easy. You have to learn to say "no" once in a while. Enabling idjits doesn't help 'em a bit in the long run.
ReplyDeleteHard as flint ol'
Gerry N.