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Also, when tightening your ratchet binders, pull all the slack out of your chains, get as tight a fit as you can when you hook onto them, also leave enought thread out on the binders, meaning unwind them until you have plenty of room to re-tighten, but enough thread engaged to be safe. By taking the slack out of the chain, giving your self lots of thread on the binders, you are less apt to have the chains loosen, and have room to re-tighten. Usually anything you haul on a trailer that has rubber tires like a tractor, will bounce and can loosen the chains a few miles down the road. I like to make sure I can see the chains in my mirrors, this way I can check and see if they are tight. Usually when you crank down on the binders, you can see the tires bulge out a little, then you have a tight fit, after it settles out going down the road, they can loosen, but you will also notice if the tractor bounces, your chain may slacken momentarily, then tighten back up. When hauling a crawler or something without tires, this does not occur. Also a frost covered deck can be very slippery no matter what you put on it, always make sure to sweep off any excess dirt or mud, the guy behind you will appreciate that, LOL ! Most of this is common sense, best to take your time and always lash it down properly, as once something gets motion it's not going to be stopped vs. something securely chained and blocked ( blocking can be helpful sometimes ) does not have a chance to gain motion, almost like it's a part of the trailer. Have never seen a good quality chain break under loading tension, but if slacked and a machine gets away from you, you can bet on it snapping, too much force etc. Well, thats a few cents worth, LOL, take your time, use the right equipment,and common sense.
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