Comparing SWL And WLL For Clevis Hooks

Updated 04/25/2016 | Published 04/20/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Laclede Clevis Hook w/ Latch - 3/8" Pin

(16)

$30.98

Laclede Clevis Hook w/ Latch - 5/16" Pin

(14)

$14.02

Question:

I need to replace an S-Hook on the Safety Chains for a Trailer it is too small for the hitch eyelet. The Safety Chain has a tag indicating: - 5/16 Grade 30 ZP - SWL 1900 LBS - Ultimate Break: 7600 LBS The trailer is 5500 LBS GVWR. Which of the products below would work for this application? How does the SWL on the chains compare against the GTW listed for these hooks? Are they sufficient for this task considering the listing for Ultimate Break as well? For a 3/8 inch hook we have the # 6495-401-04 For a 5/16 inch hook we have the # 6495-301-04 Thanks.

asked by: Glen

Expert Reply:

You will need to know what the diameter of the chains you have are and how much room you have in the link for a hook to be attached. It sounds like the 5/16 you mentioned is the diameter of the chain itself, and not the opening in the link.

The Clevis hook, part # 6495-401-04 has a 7/16-inch diameter pin that goes through the opening in a chain link and has a working load limit of 5,400 lbs.

The # 6495-301-04 hook also has a 7/16-inch pin, and has a working load limit of 3,900 lbs.

SWL(safe working limit) and WLL(working load limit) are the same and are typically 1/5 of the MBL(minimum breaking load) so part # 6495-401-04 with a WLL limit of 3,900 lbs would work fine with your chain as long as the opening in the link is large enough to handle the 7/16-inch pin.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L