What were they thinking?
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New User
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
What were they thinking?
On the new receiver hitch,the hookups for the safety chains.What was designed to fit that opening?I have the big wide opening 3/8" chain hooks with the safety latches and they might fit if I smack them with a hammer.My question is were these designed for something in particular that I'm not aware of?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 180
Likes: 8
I hear you. What a funky design. But before you get out the hammer, try this:
With the hook opening pointing up, turn the hook 90* to the shank and insert into hole on the bottom of the receiver, then rotate through hole on rear of receiver and it should latch. Removal is opposite.
With the hook opening pointing up, turn the hook 90* to the shank and insert into hole on the bottom of the receiver, then rotate through hole on rear of receiver and it should latch. Removal is opposite.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 612
Likes: 9
From: south texas
Just hooked up the TT to get new shoes for it. I had bought 2 sets of the 3/4 shackles.
The hooks on the TT are stamped 5/16. They were within 3-5 mm of the spring latch clearing the 3/4 shackles.
So now I used the 1/2 (rated at 2T) and the hook latch just did clear.
later this week will go to TSC and get a pair of 5/16 and see how they will fit. course a closer inspection of the loop that both chains are connected to at the hitch are not very large to begin with.
So the 1/2 inch may be fine.
That OEM design is one where the owner would want to slap the focus group and and ask which yahoo forgot to hook up a TT or a utility trailer before approving the final design.
Oh yeah I did try the 90* rotate lol...yeah ain't gonnah happen!
The hooks on the TT are stamped 5/16. They were within 3-5 mm of the spring latch clearing the 3/4 shackles.
So now I used the 1/2 (rated at 2T) and the hook latch just did clear.
later this week will go to TSC and get a pair of 5/16 and see how they will fit. course a closer inspection of the loop that both chains are connected to at the hitch are not very large to begin with.
So the 1/2 inch may be fine.
That OEM design is one where the owner would want to slap the focus group and and ask which yahoo forgot to hook up a TT or a utility trailer before approving the final design.
Oh yeah I did try the 90* rotate lol...yeah ain't gonnah happen!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 764
Likes: 30
Google "G80 chain connecting links" and you'll get plenty of options.
One quick question ... Do these rattle on the hitch enough to be a nuisance when a chain isn't hanging on them?
One quick question ... Do these rattle on the hitch enough to be a nuisance when a chain isn't hanging on them?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 872
Likes: 4
From: Greene, NY
Never hear them from the cab. I've got the hammerlock unions on mine as well.. but mine are rusty.. I may replace them with a pair that are pre-finished.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
I just swung by a trailer dealer and tried several hooks until one fit...then put them on my chains. Those hammerlocks look like I should add them to be sure I can hook up any trailer I need to pull, rather than just mine that now has hooks that fit.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 109
Likes: 30
From: Tucson, Arizona
Hooks fit perfectly and I can now use various 2" or 2-1/2" devices without all the movement in the OEM hitch. Been installed two months and towed about 5000 miles, it works great.
New User
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Hi what size Hammerlocks do you have?
New User
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Could you tell me what size Hammerlocks those are, they look pretty sharp! I will get a set hooking up the chains in nuts with that little clip.