I searched the archives and read all I could find on drags. I have never used them on coyotes that much but I plan on mainly running them this year. So I decided to test chain vs cable. Reasoning being I’ll be hiking into some of my trap locations and wanted to cut some weight if possible. So does chain really help a drag dig and stay on the ground that much even if it’s a really large drag? I tested three drags all pulling on the same ground about knee heigh with 10ft of #3 MB machine chain and 10ft of 1/8in cable. I wasn't really expecting the results I got on a couple of the drags. All drags are a plow design.


Drag #1 ( weight 7.5 lbs) cable ~ fair to poor, chain ~ excellent
Drag #2 (weight 5 lbs) cable ~ extremely poor, chain ~ excellent
Drag #3 freedom brand ( weight 2.8 lbs) cable ~ extremely poor , chain ~ excellent!!

Surprisingly the freedom brand drag with a chain out performed the two much larger drags with cable. I expected the 7.5lb drag to do well with cable but it did not. Also I was surprised the freedom brand drag actually held its own against the other two even with all using chain.

Based on my test I’ll always use chain of at least 8ft in length and at least a size #3 minimum (#5 should even be better) . I was surprised how much it really does help the drags performances regardless of size/weight. So based on my test I would be better off saving weight by using a smaller drag with a long chain.

Kudos to u for testing it instead of just going with what u thought. And thanks for sharing ur findings.

Thanks for the info Sharkhunter. Good stuff!

10 feet of chain. You need the chain weight to keep the drag on the ground.

Exactly! I thought with a drag of 5lbs or better it wouldn’t matter but it does. The chain is just as important as the drag !

Good to know, I won’t have to test it myself if I decide to try drags. I wonder what would happen if you used two or three feet of heavy chain, like 3/8” and cable after that. Maybe the short piece of chain would be heavy enough to defeat the purpose.

If your going to use cable start out with cable then use chain. You need the weight of the chain to keep the drag on the ground.

Where do y’all buy your chain?

I wouldn’t, the one thing the chain also does is keep the drag from spider crawling. With the cable it was doing that. The weight of the chain right on the drag kept that from happening. I’d run the whole thing chain. Heavier the better #3 size minimum

Excellent thread thank you for your research,.

Good info!

Flea markets if ya want it cheaper

Fehr Bros. NY