If we're going to use this section; here's a tip. If we're not; move this to a section somebody will see and use. (If your chainguards on your tailgate retainers are dry rotted and cracking; you can remove the remaining covering and replace them with heat shrink tubing sized close to the chain diameter. You will want to leave one link in the middle uncovered so the chain can still be flexible when the gates are up. This is a plus if you use your rig in the woods. It eliminates the metal to metal noise of the bare chain banging against the sidewall by cushioning the chain.) Rubber garden hose don't work so good.
I used a 27" bike tube 1 1/4" diameter that I got at Wal-Mart you just cut it to length and slide it over your chain works great cheap and easy solution I think good luck . KG
my chains are rusty and the covers are cracked so i will be using 1/4" cable, you can get the clear rubber coated stuff, it should work great
did you find anything for your chain problem?...canadian tire has plastic coated cable in lots of sizes, and its less then $1.00 a foot