The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Darned tailgate chains

Whats the answer to covers for the tailgate latch chains to keep them from banging up the paint? I've read to take a bicycle innertube and cut to length.

Suggestions or other known solutions?

If you don't have anything on them a bicycle innertube is very close to what comes with new chains when you order them. The innertube is slightly thinner but should do the trick.

I put a clear membrane to protect my paint. It works very well. You can’t even see it unless your looking for it. I have polished Ss chains and I like to see them not hide them.

Google , Tail Gate Chain Covers, you will get all kinds of ideas.

I just got 1/2 inch chip brush and gave mine a couple of coats of black Plasti-Dip. It took a while because I had to let parts dry and then turn to coat different spots but no more rattling (which is constantly annoying) and no more paint whacking. As teens, we'd use bicycle innertubes too but we learned there are two problems. One...even if you cut slits in them they still harbor enough water to make your chain rust where the paint wears off and Two...they don't really add to the look. Some guys would cut them into 2 pieces, open at the bottom so water could drain out (the cut being at the bend). Probably just me but I never liked that look at all. For the part that secures the gate, use a piece of shrink wrap over the hook. It will make it hold nicely and once again...it won't rattle, chip paint or rust. Good luck!

Use plastic chain. Unless you're in the habit of hauling long, heavy loads that extend past the lowered tailgate, all the chain does is keep the locking hook from getting lost.

The farm supply stores in my area have bulk rolls of the clear vinyl tubing used on milking machines . They sell it by the foot. Use that stuff if you prefer to show off a fancy metal chain.
Jerry

You can replace the chains with a couple of bolts if you only rarely lower the gate.


I went with the Mar-K folding straps.

I sit on my tailgate...among other things.
So the chain has to be there. Black tubing

There was a member that made a really nice set of stitched leather covers a year or two back.

Tailgating is important, and as far as our old original chains, I don’t like to shroud them in moisture collecting tubing.
But I’m peculiar in that I like the chain traces on the bed ends.
But of course I haven’t put the effort most have in restoring/painting.😏

Garden Hose.

I played heck getting the tubing on however.

How about canvas? That wouldn't trap moisture like hose or tubing would, but would provide some paint protection. I think I could stitch up a couple sleeves using the wife's sewing machine pretty easily. I seem to recall that my dad's '51 GMC shop truck had something like that. Although he really didn't care about paint damage. The tailgate was used as a work platform a number of times, so chains were definitely used.

I like Jon's heat shrink trick for the hooks. I'll definitely do that.

My truck came with leather sleeves around the chains but one was in pretty rough shape so only one survived. I thought I would eventually (when I paint the truck) make or have new ones made.

If your obsessive leather is an easy fabrication.
Already Having the 4 hole stitch punch, leather and waxed string it didn’t take long to make these leather sleeves.
Chuck

I installed after-market tailgate brackets like newer trucks.

Those look fantastic! The chain situation on the 54 leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion.
Here's my temporary solution . I took the sleeves I bought years ago and cut one in half and slid it up on the chain as a semi means of protection. I did notice on the "original style" that there is a hole thorugh both sides in themiddle of the length. Guessing this lets water to run out, not accumulate and lead to rust.

Think I'll head out to the local flaps and see about the clear protective plastic stuff. I'll post some pics after I'm done.
v

I did not like the way the clear ones looked after a period of time.
They get dirt and mold in them.

Here is a picture of the clear protector I put on my truck box. You can see the edges if you look close, otherwise you don’t see it.

\
I can see it, thanks!

What about using the larger diameter mesh style wiring loom stuff? Comes in black. And it's flexible too. I just may try this on my 46 half ton. Now where did I put that stuff last time I used it..........?

Bicycle inner tube for me. I change it about every 5+ years. Also if you wash your truck or it gets rained on, consider punching a drain hole at the bottom of the cover at the middle portion where it is the lowest, in case water get's in.

Here’s a pic of the drain hole

I have a clear vinyl cover over my chains. I like the idea of a drain hole at bottom of loop. Never thought about it before. Also, something I prefer to do is run the chain hook up through bottom of hole rather than dropping in from the top. Chain hangs much nicer. Try it, you’ll like it!

Always hang the chains from the bottom. Drop them in from the top and sooner or later one will jump out on the road and you will not notice it until it has banged around, chipping paint and worse... possibly scarring or breaking the taillight lens.I was told that as a kid 60 years ago and have hooked from the bottom ever since.

The hole is vertical so the hook can only go through from the left or right. What do you guys mean by top and bottom?

Otto, I think the set-up is different on our series trucks . 1954 3604 . Here's a couple photo's of mine.

I see. Thanks.

Here is the difference and what is meant by hang the chain by the bottom. I do this also. See in DES57 pic on the left. Her turned the hook upside down and inserted it into the bottom up in the hole flipping it around as it was inserted. In the pic on the right, the hook was just drop straight down into the hole.

Dave, thanks for clarifying and the pics!