Read on another place where a guy purchased some BMI bodygrips. When his order arrived, the traps came with very short chains. Only three links instead of the usual five. Anyone know anything about this? Is this a new standard for BMI's? If so, why would they shorten the length of the chain?

I don't know if it's true or not but if I use an extension it wouldn't matter much? i believe the foot holds come with three links.
I would ask them, their phone is 216-761-8800
But with your location an email might be better bmitraps@att.net

Yea the guy has emailed them already. Ive heard on here before that they aint the best with replying to emails (not sure if that us true or not), so thought id ask on here.

I cut off chains on bodygrips.I leave one link and attach a swivel.I use wire to tie them off.The swivel will also work as a slide wire drowner.

I like that Boco. Less to tangle in the transport.

that's just fine for small BGs but I want about 10" of chain on my large BGs so I can stake right In the trail using my stabilizer for a stake. Wire Isn't even a option.

Using wire on traps used In the water means holes in your gloves before you even get the trap set. LOL

Never had a problem with holes in gloves.You must buy cheap gloves beav.
I use wire on large bodygrips too.Works great.Inexpensive, fast,and useful for unlimited applications on the line.

Ya well you keep on using that wire. It's cable or chain for me It lasts just about for ever you don't have to be removing It after each season. 8 feet of 3/32s cable on my 330s and a safety pin type lock up works for me. And I can just about hook up anywhere I need. NO running off 10 feet of wire off your wire reel and all the screwing around getting It hooked up.
And I don't know of a pair of gauntlets that will hold up to a freshly cut wire end.
Get with It Boco. LOL

I have all my traps wired up at home,and no I don't wear gloves when wiring up the traps.Wire on a bodygrip lasts for years.Just need to check it when waxing the traps.
I made my living trapping beaver for years and know what is efficient and hassel free. Chain gets cut off,and so does that useless cable on the belisles.

Get er done Boco.
I'd like to match beaver numbers with you when I spent those 15 years 2 months per year In The Carolinas. I'm betting you would come up sucking hind teat. LOL
I've been there and done It Mr. boco.
But If It works for you get er done.

400 to 500 each summer was the norm on the RR.150 to 250 during the trapping season,depending on how many lines I was managing\helping.I trapped year round for many years,beav.Still do,only not as intense.

It hate wire for the same reason as Beav. All my BGs have #2 machine chain and a universal swivel at both ends ... Chain lasts forever..

No more wire for me. Good riddance.

Wire on the trapline is absolutely indispensable to a trapper.It replaces a myriad of other junk that is not needed.I have repaired all kinds of stuff with wire that would have left me stranded had I not had it.
Wire to a trapper is like a mastercard to a cityboy-dont leave home without it.
The best thing about wire as a tie off,you never have to worry about it failing like cable.For a trapper that uses his equipment a lot,cable will rot and you wont know until you get a loss.it is simple to tell when wire has a kink,and easy to change out,cut off,re-inforce and re use.Waxed 11ga annealed wire on bodygrips last for years.The only place I would not use wire is on a live holding device.
9ga wire cannot be replaced by anything for many uses.

If your having all those beak downs that you need wire to fix you must be starting out on the wrong foot. Must be a Canuk thing. LOL

The only wire I use Is what's used on my snare supports.

If you don't have any unforeseen things happen out on the trapline,you aint trapping much.Every year out on the trail or at camp something unforeseen happens.Its part of trapping.

Not when the F-150 Is 20 yards from you. You just need to trap smarter not harder Boco.

My Canadian buddy told me the only need for wire was to be able to tie your body to the boat so they could find It In the spring. LOL

You wont get a truck in where I trap,lol.

Like I said Boco you just have to trap smarter. LOL

Explain that beav.Do you mean spending all day driving in a truck wasting gas instead of trapping,lol.Thats stupid trapping.Probably why everyone complains about losing money trapping.