Dee Shackle

What You Need To Know about Rated Dee Shackle for Caravans and Trailers

Dee shackles are used to join safety chains to the tow vehicle and get their name from the shape of the shackle. Shackles are measured by the diameter of the steel. The diameter of the pin is often different to the diameter of the body of the D Shackle.

Question: How do I select the right D Shackle for my towbar?

Answer: Dee Shackles have a rating stamp on the body of the shackle.

• 0.75t Stamp is suitable for use on trailers up to 3t
• 1t Stamp is suitable for use on trailers and caravans up to 3.5t.

The rating on the Dee shackle proves testing and removes all issues associated with the cheaper imported untested product.

I did the video below years ago. Essentially, if you get pulled over by Police and they may ask you to prove your dee shackles are compatible with your safety chain.

If the dee shackles are unstamped to prove safety chain compatibility, then there is a problem.

To summarise, install Rated Dee Shackles for Caravans and Trailers with a coloured pin and sidestep any compliance issues.

Legislation

National legislation is currently under review in 2018.

• NT Vehicle Inspectors Bulletin No. 13 (i)
• WA CI-119C Vehicle Safety and Standards Circular to Industry

I had a few comments questioning the legality of rated safety shackles being a requirement under the law.

ADR 62/02

14.3.1.3. For trailers over 3.5 tonnes ‘ATM’, the safety chain must be made from steel of a minimum 800 MPa breaking stress, conforming to the mechanical properties of Grade T chain as specified in AS 2321 - 2001. Short Link Chain for Lifting Purposes must be of a size such that the minimum breaking load exceeds the ‘ATM’.

The last six words in this clause require Rated or Stamped Dee Shackles. You must be able to prove your chain complies with your rated ATM.

Still, I have not seen a traffic ticket for non-rated shackles

Offer: Send me a copy of your ticket for non-compliant dee shackles, and I will pay it. Offer open to 1 offence only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBqyuzXQVXw&feature=youtu.be

How to calculate the correct size?

Rated dee shackles: How do I calculate the correct size? Click here

Rated dee shackles are not a requirement for caravans and trailers under 3.5t. Not required? Yes, there is a catch 22.

A dee shackle must be compatible with the safety chain, and the safety chain must carry a stamp of at least the same capacity as the rating every four links.

So there is the catch. How do you prove your Dee Shackle is COMPATIBLE? If the dee shackle has no stamp on it, you cannot demonstrate compliance.

Stamped Dee Shackles

If your dee shackle has a stamp on it, you can prove it is rated the same as the safety chain. No mark, no proof of the compatibility with safety chain. Catch 22.

Trailers over 2.5t must have two safety chains; each chain must be of the same capacity or exceed the rating of the ATM.

Australian Standards require safety chains on trailers over 3.5t to be connected to your trailer via safety chain holders or approved high tensile links. Dee shackles are not a supported device.

Important safety chain note

The safety chain is stamped every four links. The characters on the links are at least 1.5 mm high for chains less than 8 mm link diameter and not less than 2 mm high for chains 8 mm and above.

If your safety chain has no markings, it is permissible to cut it off at the welded link on the trailer.

Join a length of an approved safety chain to your welded link with a hammerlock.

Technical Details

0.75t Rated Dee Shackle

• Proof Load: 14.8kN
• Break Load: 44.2kN
• Elongation%: Not Applicable
• Declaration of Compliance: AS2741
• Certificate: V0234931-5
• Max ATM Rating 3t

1t Rated Dee Shackle

• Proof Load: 19.7kN
• Break Load: 59.9kN
• Elongation%: Not Applicable
• Declaration of Compliance: AS2741
• Certificate: V0234931-3
• Max ATM Rating 4t

1.5t Rated Dee Shackle

• Proof Load: 29.5kN
• Break Load: 88.3kN
• Elongation%: Not Applicable
• Declaration of Compliance: AS2741
• Certificate: V0234931-4
• Max ATM Rating 6t

Trailers Under 2.5t

Suppose your camper does not exceed 2.5 tonnes ATM. In that case, it must have at least one safety chain complying with Australian Standard AS 4177.4-1994, or Australian Standard AS 4177.4-2004 ‘Caravan and light trailer towing components – Part 4.’

Trailers 2.5 To 3.5t

If your trailer is over 2.5 tonnes and under 3.5 tonnes ATM, it must have two safety chains of a designation of 3500 kg or higher for each chain.

Trailers Over 3.5t

According to Standard AS 4177.4-1994 and Australian Standard AS 4177.4–2004, trailers over 3.5 tonnes ATM must have two safety chains made from steel of a minimum 800 MPa breaking stress.

The chain rating should also conform to the mechanical properties of Grade-T chain as specified in Australian Standard AS 2321-1979 ‘Short Link Chain for Lifting Purposes (non-calibrated), or Australian Standard AS 2321–2006 Short Link Chain for Lifting Purposes.

Ultimately, you’ll need to go in for a chain size such that the minimum breaking load exceeds the ATM.

Rated Dee Shackle - Towbar