Towing and Safety Chains
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 171
From: SoCal
Towing and Safety Chains
I just had a brand new Curt hitch installed and it looks so pretty under the new bumper. I'm planning a trip with a trailer in tow and would like to know how you guys attach your safety chains to the hitch. The oval holes on the hitch are horizontal making standard hooks questionable as far as security. The last time I towed, I rand the chain through the holes and hooked back on the chain itself. That seemed to work pretty good but scraped the hitch around the holes. I'm considering a vinyl coated chain. Has anyone come up with a better idea?
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,051
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
By "standard hooks" I am guessing you mean the bent S hooks like so many small utility trailers come with?
You could replace them with a set of spring latched trailer safety chain hooks, like the larger and heavier trailers come with.
You could replace them with a set of spring latched trailer safety chain hooks, like the larger and heavier trailers come with.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 182
I connect mine to the hitch using the hooks. On the camper I have the retaining springs and the boat just has hooks, but the chains are actually cables that have a coating and are coiled so they keep off the ground. In both cases, I hook them from the bottom. For years I put them on from the top, but I read somewhere the “proper” way is from the bottom and started doing it. I’m not necessarily convinced that it matters, but that’s what I do. Also supposed to cross them so if the trailer comes off the ball, the tongue will sit in the X created by the chains. Again, not super convinced that if the worst happens, it’ll matter anyway. I’d rather not find out though.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Those quick links at best are rated for under 2700lbs WLL on 3/8 if they are rated at all. Even basic grade 70 chain is 6100lb rated in 3/8. I suggest using the 8800lb safety clevis hooks. They are common and cheap.
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Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Media PA
No matter which type of hooks the trailers that I've towed have had they always had their hooks attached directly to the hitch. And the breakaway cable, if the trailer has brakes, gets attached to the bumper or frame of the tow vehicle, never to the hitch.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 63
From: Florida and Tennessee
Why never to the hitch? by the hitch do you mean the receiver?
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,051
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
Yes, never to the receiver. By attaching the breakaway to the bumper (the EX has little loops under the bumper for this) or frame of the tow vehicle you are ensuring the trailer brakes will get activated in a breakaway event even if it from a total hitch/recieiver failure. The round tube Chevy receiver hitches were pretty good at that once they developed a little rust.......
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 63
From: Florida and Tennessee
Why would rust only be a problem for receivers? While I understand the point... receivers are vastly more robust. I know of no light duty vehicle that comes with a secondary point to attach the break away cable.
A DOT test might prove interesting. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retriev...se49.5.393_143
A DOT test might prove interesting. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retriev...se49.5.393_143
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 206
From: South Eastern Michigan
Thanks. I'll look into it. (Not being a smart ***) We're buying a new trailer this year and I want the best.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 879
Likes: 40
From: Greensburg, IN
For years I put them on from the top, but I read somewhere the “proper” way is from the bottom and started doing it. I’m not necessarily convinced that it matters, but that’s what I do. Also supposed to cross them so if the trailer comes off the ball, the tongue will sit in the X created by the chains. Again, not super convinced that if the worst happens, it’ll matter anyway. I’d rather not find out though.
I will never do anything other than the X under the tongue. Also make sure to twist the chains up a little so they aren't dragging.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
Why would rust only be a problem for receivers? While I understand the point... receivers are vastly more robust. I know of no light duty vehicle that comes with a secondary point to attach the break away cable.
A DOT test might prove interesting. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retriev...se49.5.393_143
A DOT test might prove interesting. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retriev...se49.5.393_143