| Safety Connection | Gross laden weight of trailer of 2000 kg or less | Gross laden weight of trailer of more than 2000 kg but less than 2500 kg | Gross laden weight of trailer 2500 kg and up to 3500 kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety chains* | Required: Unless fitted with a breakaway brake. The safety chain must be of sufficient strength to hold the trailer secure under all conditions of road use. |
Required: Unless fitted with a breakaway brake. Twin crossed safety chains fitted with sufficient strength to hold the trailer secure under all conditions of road use. |
Not required |
| Breakaway brake | Not required | Not required | Required |
* The safety chains must meet the applicable warrant of fitness requirements.
Safety Chain Connections
The safety connection is a critical part of specifying components for a trailer, and the Trailparts range is rated
to meet the NZS5467:1993 requirements. The 6 key points to note in the Code of Practice for Light Trailers
related to safety connections are;
- Safety connection(s) shall have a minimum breaking strength equal to 2 times the Maximum Towed
mass.
- The attachment of the safety connection(s) to both the towbar and drawbar shall be separate from the
coupling and its fastenings.
- The safety connection(s) attachments shall have a strength equal to, or greater then, the safety
connection.
- The safety connection(s) shall be mechanically fitted as close as is practicable to the longitudinal centre
line and of such length that in the event of coupling failure it will prevent the drawbar hitting the ground
as well as controlling the direction of the trailer to follow the towing vehicle.
- Welding of chain is not acceptable.
- The safety connection(s) attachment to the trailer shall be positioned so that they will not come into
contact with the ground.
- Safety connection(s) shall be indelibly marked by the component manufacturer with their rating. The rating shall enable the minimum breaking load of the components to be identified.
Breakaway Kits
Trailparts™ breakaway kits ensure power is applied to the trailer brakes in the event of a tow vehicle separation. The breakaway battery uses a trailer mounted power source to operate. Although trailers fitted with a breakaway kits are not required to have a safety chain, it is Trailparts™ recommendation that chains are still fitted.
Heavier trailers (2500kg - 3500kg) can cause havoc on the road to both tow vehicle and other traffic when a coupling / hitch connection fails. The trailer will continue or often increase momentum. Pushing or swing the rear of the tow vehicle as the driver tries to steady or slow down the load now attached with safety chains. The breakaway system will apply the trailer breaks when the trailer detaches the switch mechanism, bringing it to a stop. No trailer bursting off down the road toward oncoming traffic.
Trailparts™ Credo wireless brake control system has breakaway options and the New Hygo mkII Hydraulic override brake system has an inbuilt breakaway system for trailers over 3500kg.
