Which Shackles are you using?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 594
Likes: 42
From: fly-over country
I'm only interested in how to think about this clearly and wanted to raise a question.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 4
For sure - I'm actually pretty interested in this myself now, too. I can only speak for my trailer but I think the connection of the chains to the trailer is my weakest link and would give way before my shackles did. If it didn't fail entirely I figure the connection to the trailer would yield enough to be able to rely on both shackles... Plus shackles **usually** have a 5 to 1 safety factor (can't say for sure if the ones I linked above fall into that category).
Going back to my mention about the impact force... If I assume a 1500 lb tongue weight falling 2 feet onto the chains and taking .1 second to go from a velocity of 11.35 ft/s to 0 ft/s I think there's only about 6800 lbs of impact force applied to the chains and shackles. That changes pretty drastically though if the assumed time to stop after the chains take up is shorter though (12,000 lbs if it's actually .05 seconds, for example).
Then again I'm definitely the wrong kind of engineer for this and I could be entirely wrong... If anyone knows better I'd be interested in knowing how to figure that out.
Going back to my mention about the impact force... If I assume a 1500 lb tongue weight falling 2 feet onto the chains and taking .1 second to go from a velocity of 11.35 ft/s to 0 ft/s I think there's only about 6800 lbs of impact force applied to the chains and shackles. That changes pretty drastically though if the assumed time to stop after the chains take up is shorter though (12,000 lbs if it's actually .05 seconds, for example).
Then again I'm definitely the wrong kind of engineer for this and I could be entirely wrong... If anyone knows better I'd be interested in knowing how to figure that out.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 594
Likes: 42
From: fly-over country
I just checked. My 7,500 pound trailer (loaded) came with handy coiling cables instead of chains, each stamped 7,500 pounds. The end that isn't part of the cable unit has a screw closure carabiner that is labeled "½ China". That is a lot of China. I hope it's enough!
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
I'd rather my trailer break away from me and do its own thing (breakaway system to lock the brakes) rather than sent my truck into an uncontrolled fishtail and flip me over.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 564
Likes: 7
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 413
Likes: 15
From: Forest Lake, MN
I also used high strength loctite to prevent sticky fingers.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
I simply use 3/8" G70 grade hooks on my chains (chains also 3/8" G70). and have no issue with the hooks fitting the hitch. Yes, I have the 3" receiver. You can buy these hooks at just about any hardware store for less than $10 each and a simple cotter pin and done. Just my $.02 worth 
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I simply use 3/8" G70 grade hooks on my chains (chains also 3/8" G70). and have no issue with the hooks fitting the hitch. Yes, I have the 3" receiver. You can buy these hooks at just about any hardware store for less than $10 each and a simple cotter pin and done. Just my $.02 worth
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Mine is a 2017. I didn't think they made changes but perhaps they did. I know some were complaining about this when the 2017's came out but I figured they were just using much smaller hooks. I do agree that Ford could have designed this better and made it easier to hook the chains on.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Mine is a 2017. I didn't think they made changes but perhaps they did. I know some were complaining about this when the 2017's came out but I figured they were just using much smaller hooks. I do agree that Ford could have designed this better and made it easier to hook the chains on.