When we finished the PDI, papers were signed, and we were hitching up to take it home, we soon found out that the factory chains are about a foot too short. The solution? My dealership slapped another Clevis hook and quick link to add to the end of the Clevis Hook from the factory chain and called it good.
With our tight schedule to depart after taking delivery, I let it slide but now that we are in place for a few months, I REALLY want to get rid of that toggled up solution and put new chains on that are not only a Grade higher but about a foot longer than the factory chains so I can get rid of the toggled up solution.
My problem is that on our new Eagle, the chain is attached on each side of the A Frame/coupler by a loop that is welded on. Since I don't weld or know anyone that does, is there another way I can do this? I do have access to a set of monster bolt cutters or a dremel wheel so getting the chains off are NOT the problem.
To make it worse, we are also 1500 miles away from our purchasing dealer, and the two dealers in this area want nothing to do with it unless they can keep the trailer for who knows how long. That leaves us with no home away from home. And finally, I want it to not only be completely legal but completely SAFE. But I also don't want to have to do more/spend more than I need to in order meet the above requirements.
So here were my thoughts. I will admit up front that my ideas are not always the BEST ones!!!
1. Cut off the factory chains, and attach the new chains to the hooks on the A frame/coupler as well as the truck receiver with Clevis Hooks on both ends of the chains. One would think that if the hooks are good enough for one end of the chain, why not the other?
2. Cut off the factory chains, and feed the new chains thru the top of each of the hooks on the A frame/receiver and bolt them together under the frame/coupler with properly rated hardware. Probably not as good as number 3 because there is a break in the chain, but would make it easy to swap out again at some point if necessary and Clevis hooks are bolted on the ends of the chain, so why not here?
3. Buy one long chain (equal to the two separate chains) and feed the chain thru the top of each of the hooks on the A frame/receiver where the chain is still one piece under the A frame/coupler instead of bolted together. Eliminates one bolt from the solution and nothing else.
4. Bite the bullet and find a mobile welder to come out and cut off the factory loop, remove the factory chains, feed the new chains onto the factory loop and have the loop re-welded to the A Frame/coupler. Would that impose any warranty issues or other problems? I really hate having anyone other than probably Jayco themselves, messing with these welds for insurance/liability/warranty concerns.
Thoughts? Opinions? Ideas I didn't think of? Should I just call Jayco?
TIA
J
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