I have half a dozen tracker drags coming from jc conner and 50 feet of #3 chain from another supplier. I read where some guys add multiple swivels and some add shock springs.

Is it best to add the shock spring closer to the trap or the drag? How many swivels are you guys adding the drag chain? where along the chain do add them?

I don’t use the springs but 3 crunch proofs within the first 2 feet. 1 in the middle and 1 about 3-6” from the drag. I run 10-12’ of chain.

I like a couple swivels by the trap and one close to the drag. I don't use a shock spring on a drag but if I did it would be up by the trap.

The drags I use are old school rebar with 15' heavy duty swing set chain, no swivels. I do have 4 swivels on my trap, 2 together at the base, 1 approximately 8" from there and at the end of the total 24" length of chain. I have the chain that long because I stake some of my traps and that gives me 3 active swivels. I have found over the years once coyotes are hung up they fight the sage more than anything. my opinion dont over think the drag/chain set up...yes I agree on weight if your in an area with sparce sage brush that way you have a good drag mark if you think you need extra weight you can always wire a rock or something to the drag.

All my coyote traps have a shock spring and 4 swivels with attachment for double rebar, earth anchor, or drags on 24" of #3 chain.

All my drag chain is #5 chain 5 ft long with a single swivel on one end.

My drags have about a foot of #3 chain attached.

I attach drag chain with quick links to the trap chain. Generally use two length of chain (10') with quick links and attach drag to the end swivel of the drag chain. But if needed I can add or remove 5 ft of chain depending on the situation.

Just what works for me in my mind.

I’ve taken to running lighter drags and more chain.

12’ of chain on a two pound drag (for coyotes).

If you want the swivels to be much use, put them closer to the trap. Once they hook the drag they usually wrap up at least the first few feet of chain next to the drag around whatever they are hooked on. Any swivels next to the drag are no longer working. I usually have three swivels on my trap chain and don't bother with any on my drag chain. I have a bunch of drags with the chain permanently attached to the drag with a wolf swivel with welded hooks, not because of the swivel action, but because I had a bunch of wolf swivels lying around and I needed to attach chains somehow. As soon as they hook up that swivel is usually out of commission.

Longer chain is better, especially in open ground. I have chained earth anchors on most of my traps, so if I attach the drag chain just above the earth anchor that gives me about 3 1/2' of chain on the trap added to 8-10' of chain on the drag gives me 11-13' of chain. I have a few spare pieces of chain 6-8' long I can add if I am in particularly open ground, although those pieces are usually used when I want to anchor solid to a tree without a drag.

My personal drag setup is as follows: 3lb JC Conner Tracker Pro Pivot Drag + 1' of #5 HD chain + swivel + 8.3' of #3 HD chain + quicklink + trap (trap chain normally has 2-3 swivels).

Reasoning behind this setup is the heavier chain keeps the drag down (even though the pivot drag immediately begins digging) and then you have both a swivel on the locked-up end and then numerous swivel points next to the animal in case the lower swivel gets taken out of commission. Works great for me!

All that sort of hardware is most useful close to the trap, once they hang up at least half the drag chain is twisted and tangled in a wad of brush. I attach my drags with a swivel (just because it's an easy connection point) but I don't put any more swivels or a shock spring until about 3' and closer to the trap end