Basics of Tie-Down Chains and Binders

Of all tie-down methods, chain and load binders have the most muscle to handle the toughest tie-down jobs. They're made for big, heavy loads. But they're also heavy to handle. If you must strap down heavy loads though, chains may be your best choice.

To tighten those chains, you use a binder, a device that pulls slack out of the chain.

Applications of Tie-Down Chains

Chains are possibly the best choice for hauling heavy items. They're perfect for use with big trucks. They can secure heavy agricultural equipment and industrial machines like bobcats and skid loaders.

Pros of Chains and Binders:

Resist wear and breakage - durable, heavy duty, and strong

Cons of Chains and Binders:

Weigh more than straps
Could damage finished surfaces
Can rust

Capacity

Capacity is one of the most important considerations when you're choosing tie-down chains and binders. To get parts that have enough capacity to do the job, you need to know the weight of your cargo and the total number of chains you will use to tie it down.

The capacity of chain and binders is designated by safe working load limit (WLL), a measure of the amount of load the chain or binder can safely handle. The load being tied down must not exceed the combined WLL of all the chains being used. For example, if your cargo weighs 8,000 lbs and you will use 4 chains, each chain must have a WLL of at least 2,000 lbs. Four chains of 2,000 lbs WLL each will equal 8,000 lbs total, enough capacity to secure an 8,000 lb load. Each binder must also have a WLL of at least 2,000 lbs. A good rule to follow is to always use binders that have an equal or greater capacity than the chains they will tighten.

Chains are also rated by break strength, the amount of load that will cause the chain to fail. WLL is usually rated at 1/4 the break strength. WLL, rather than break strength, is used for calculating load limits because WLL is a realistic measure of a safe load limit for a chain.

At etrailer.com, we offer chain and binders with working load limits (WLL) from 4,500 lbs to 17,900 lbs.

Hooks

Tie-down chains and binders have hooks at the ends for attaching them to a trailer or tie-down point. You can anchor a chain by hooking it to a tie-down like a D-ring. Or you can wrap the chain around a strong, stationary part of your trailer, then slip the hook back over a link of the chain.

Binders

A chain binder works by pulling slack out of a tie-down chain. The hooks on this device fit over links in a chain and then, when you pull or crank the handle, the binder pulls the links together thereby tightening the chain.

A standard chain binder operates with a lever that you push to tighten the chain. All of the tightening must happen with one push of the handle, which means that this type of binder often requires more effort and strength to operate than a ratcheting type requires. Because this type of binder lacks a ratcheting mechanism, it is usually less expensive.

A ratcheting chain binder uses a built-in ratchet to give you leverage when tightening chain. You push and pull the handle repeatedly until you get the chain tight. This type of binder doesn't require as much strength to operate as the non-ratcheting kind.

The Convert-A-Ball load binder combines the weight savings of a strap with the ability to tighten chain. It's lighter than an all steel binder, but it includes hooks at the ends of the straps to fit over chain links. For convenience, it tightens with a ratchet.

Chain and Binder Fit

Chain and binders must fit together as well as be matched in capacity. To fit together, the hooks of a binder must fit over the links of the chain. At etrailer.com, we list the sizes of chain that our binders will fit. This dimension is the diameter of the links in the chain.

Updated by: Jacob J

Updated on: 2/21/2024

Explore Expert Info

on Tie Down Anchors

Videos

for Tie Down Anchors

Help Articles

for Tie Down Anchors

Expert Answers

for Tie Down Anchors

Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2012 Chevrolet Silverado

Choosing the Best Fifth Wheel Hitch

B and W Ball and Safety Chain Kit Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Review

Review of B and W Fifth Wheel - Fixed Fifth Wheel - BWRVK3775

Review of Gen-Y Hitch Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters - Shock Absorbing 5W Gooseneck - GY98GR

B and W Companion Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Adapter Installation - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500

B and W Companion OEM 5th Wheel Hitch with Slider Installation - 2022 GMC Sierra 2500

Review of Andersen Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters - Adapts Trailer - AM3100

B and W Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters - Adapts Truck - BWRVK3500 Review

B and W Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Ball and Safety Chain Kit Install - 2021 Ram 3500

How to Mount a Truck Bed Camper

Trailer Wiring Diagrams

Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Adapters

Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)

4 Steps to Choosing Your 5th Wheel Pin Box

How to Measure the Bolt Pattern of a Trailer Wheel

How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop

Adapters for Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Gooseneck Hitch

How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class

Trailer Tire Sizing

Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)

The 5 Best Trailer Drop Hitches You Can Buy

What Is An OEM Prep Package And How Do I Know If I Have It

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion…

view full answer...

Does Truck with 6-1/2 ft bed Have to Use Slider Hitch for Turning Clearance with Fifth Wheel Hitch

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

view full answer...

How to Determine Correct Height Setting for 5th Wheel Hitch

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

view full answer...

7-Way Trailer Plug Adapter or Compatibility with Lance Slide-In Truck Bed Camper

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors which we…

view full answer...

Comparing Rota-Flex and Gen-Y 5th Wheel Pin Boxes

Great question, Jeff! When the Rota-Flex first came out it renovated what a pin box could do and be, but at this point in time that technology is a little more dated and the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box #325-GH-8040 is the "new…

view full answer...

How To Determine Which Pin Box I Have and What Replacements Are Available

I spoke with my contact at Trailair and from your serial number we were able to determine that your trailer came with a 1621 HD pin box which is a long pin box style. I was unable to obtain the exact part number for your Trailair pin box but from the…

view full answer...

Can the Gen-Y Hitch 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box Be Used in a Short Bed Ram 3500

The Gen-Y Hitch 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box part #GY58GR is primarily designed for long bed trucks. It's no different than a standard fifth wheel pin box in regards to the size. If you were using a fixed hitch and standard pin box before with…

view full answer...

Adapter Part Needed for Curt A20 Slider to Fit 2022 Ford F-350 with OEM Puck Package

Thanks for the photo! For your Ram you currently have the Curt A20 #C16541 with the Adapter Rails #C16022. To fit this on your 2022 Ford F-350 Super Duty with the 8' bed and OEM package you can either use the Adapter Rails #C88KR or the Leg Kit…

view full answer...

Rail System Adapter For A 2024 Chevy With The OEM Puck System

Hello Brad, we have exactly what you are looking for! You can use the Curt Adapter Rails #C88KR. This will attach directly to the OEM puck system (the 5 pockets) in the bed of your 2024 Chevy, and it will give you the industry standard rails you can…

view full answer...

Will I Have Turning Clearance Issues Using The Gen-Y Gooseneck Pin Box On Short Bed Silverado 2500?

The best way to prevent any clearance issues with your 2022 KZ Durango Gold G356RLQ and your 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with 6-1/2' bed and factory puck system is by using the Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch #DM79GV. This hitch slides back and…

view full answer...

What Size Trailer Hitch Receiver Opening Comes On a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500?

Your 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 will come with a 2-1/2" trailer hitch receiver. If your truck did not come with a reducer for a 2" receiver we do have the B&W #BWRHXA2182 if you need to use your 2" ball mount or hitch mounted…

view full answer...

Best 5th Wheel Hitch That Works With The Lippert Turning Point Pin Box

There are a couple of options that'll work great with your Lippert Turning Point Pin Box, however one hitch stands out to me more than others. Take a look at the: -Curt E16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Slide Bar Jaw - 16,000 lbs #C16115 This 5th…

view full answer...