I’ve always trapped water critters and was wanting to trap coyotes an occasional kitty. Can someone explain to me chain length from tram to stake. Will Being to long hurt me? How many swivels are needed? Very much appreciated.

You’re gonna get a ton of different opinions on this. Most people will agree on one thing and that is most like 3 swivels. One at the trap, one mid chain and one at the stake. Some like shock springs and some don’t.

Me personally I like about 18” of chain with 3 swivels and no shock springs. I prefer j c conners rod swivels also.

I like a short chain —. 12-16”…….I usually double staked with rebar. I usually used three swivels but I also don’t think there is such a thing as too many swivels. Canines are some rolling units now……

With a short chain you need to be concerned about a coyote “ pumping” or jumping straight up and down loosening your fastening system—that’s why I double stake. If using a drag you could get away with a longer chain, in fact that might be recommended…… I don’t use drags.

I want enough chain so I don't have to kneel on the ground to set it.

I stand on mine to set them. not a problem short chained. I use drags when I set where they work good. 8-10 feet of chain for drags. Short chain they dont get much momentum

depends on soil.....i like 3 feet of chain in sandy soil so they dont pump the stake out and around a foot of chain in rocky soil.2 to 3 swivels and 18 to 20 inch stakes.

With a midchain swivel most of mine are under 12”.
Jim

18-24” of chain with 3 swivels. I used to be a short chain guy but imo they fight the trap less with longer chain

About 28"long. Swivel at the trap, ~6" of chain, swivel, coyote shock spring, swivel, ~6" of chain and ends in a swivel. I have the opinion of adding: a double stake bracket, chain wolf fang ( depth of drive can be adjusted to the soil type w/o dealing with the cable sticking up out of the hole ) or a drag with 10' chain and a mid swivel, all using quick links. All swivel are welded!

24-39” including swivels and cross staking setup

I asked the same question and it is all about preference I think. Long chainers will say once you you try it you won't go back and then there's a lot of short chainers.

Trap- swivel - 3 links small machine chains -double swivel - 3 links small machine chains, end swivel = 10-12 inches or less. They cant do much if you nail their fee tot eh floor

When I used stakes they were 30 inch stakes made from potato digger chain or vine chain. I would weld two nuts at the top, an inch apart and use a heavy S hook to attach 3 feet of chain. There would be a swivel at 18 inches and another at the base plate. The two nuts prevented the coyotes from pumping the stake as the chain always stayed at the top of the stake.

I now use all super stakes with 15 inches of chain from the stake to the swivel and 15 inches between the swivel and the trap. And center swiveled at the baseplate.

I think with the super stakes/wolf fang/pogo you can use a shorter chain as stake pumping isn’t the issue it can be with rod stakes.

I’ve pulled super stakes after catching a couple coyotes in the same trap and was amazed how they could’ve held as easy as they came out with the puller. But the mechanics of a deadman with a low angle pull, which is essentially what a super stakes is, makes a low angle pull hold like crazy.

https://mntrapline.com/products/double-stake-swivels

16-18 inch rebar, 1/2 inch diameter. 5/8 nut welded on top. Pound the nut on with a hammer. . I have some rebar stakes at least 30 years old. IMO those disposable type stakes are a waste of money. They work but a royal pain to use and hard to get back out. Need to replace drivers at the most inopportune time unless you carry two.

Double stakes at an an angle like a sort of x only more like a y. the stakes cross each other right under the swivel. No pumping. Short chain. No momentum. When I started I used long chains and a single stake. Animal did not pull up at all chain was to long. That did not fail often but occasionally it did. I cant remember ever having a critter get double stakes pulled out.

You dont have to buy those swivels. Many different ways to double stake without them. I use them cause its easier to just buy them.

I'm in Central IL by Peoria. I like about 18'' of chain with 3 swivels, one at the trap, one in the middle, one at the stake, I use a chestnut ring at the stake with one link then the swivel to get it off the stake a little. Weld your rivets shut if you can
I used 3' chains for years. It can hurt you if your trap is weak and you get a back foot catch. Otherwise you'll be good.
Schock springs help a lot too. Use any stake system you want- the chestnut ring lets you do several things - you have options.

Extra swivel is where I attach a drag at times

Short chainer here. I double stake or use anchors. Lucky if mine are a foot and most of that is swivels. If my earth anchors don't come out fairly easy, i cut and run. Never had any issues and just didn't see the need to carry all the xtra chain along.

Smaller traps 10"
Bigger 16"
Chestnut ring

Twice I had butterflies fail.
Not from the famous coyote,
from me digging the frozen
trap out on pull day.
Had cable fail the same way.

Week long sets don't do that,
months long ones do.

I run mine pretty short, I like the JC Conner rod swivels too, one on the trap 4-5 links of chain to a swivel attached to the JC Conner spring third swivel on other end of spring to 4-5 links of chain.

I find that I can rest the loose jaw on the spring. I use cable attached to the last chain link. We have large game that can get into coyote traps and this will normally hold them unfortunately. However I hardly ever find any damage on any animals I catch.

wws