Ford trailer hitch - safety chain connection

[Pinn]

This is what DH and I decided to use on our tow vehicle. Didn't take long to install them , after we figured out the trick of driving the pin thru the keeper first. If there is any noise from them I can't hear it.

https://www.autohaulersupply.com/cat...ock-553774.php

Not my youtube video, just the link that sold me on them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZeouBdeLHQ&t=46s

[Freetyme]

Originally Posted by RandK-M

My Ram has similar hooking points and it is a pain in the butt sometimes with the size of the stock chain hook opening. I had to get it just right from the bottom up and put the hook in from the back to front, but if the angle wasn't right the chains are tight and making it hard to do. I ended up doing similar to yours but with a couple of these in a heavy duty version:


Attachment 197042

Yeah, that's the whatumacalit I'm using. Works great.

[Cabinfever97]

Careful with the add a link. Those need to get fairly large to achieve the proper rating. Usually to get the proper rating the links are too large to fit the tow chain. I ditched those a few years ago for this style. I bought mine at TSC.

https://www.tarpstop.com/chain-links...vis-style-5-16

Has a much higher rating at chain link size. As for the breakaway cable. Yes should be attached to the truck frame. I need to add something to the frame to hook mine on, not much back there to make it a easy fix. Right now I do as everyone else and it is on the hitch assembly. You would think the OEMs would add a breakaway hook point that is not connected to the bumper or hitch.

[RACarvalho]

On my 150 the only way to hook up is from down up.
you turn snap hook upside down, put it on the bottom of the hitch plate and hook it from behind moving up.
It works every time and I don't need a shackle....
To remove you turn the snap hook upside down, use your finger to open the hook and pull it down.

[Robo313]

Be sure to wire up the shackle so the screw doesn't back out. It's been known to happen.

[DawsonMobley]

I bought a pair of shackles from harbor freight that were the right size. they actually fit very snuggly so they don't move around any once you get them on.

https://m.harborfreight.com/34-in-d-...suv-63743.html

[Slow1]

Had this same issue on an aftermarket Reese class 5plus receiver for an older Ford. Had a couple shackles laying around from HF. I leave the shackles installed and when I need to get out the tow strap to pull some one out of the ditch or get pulled out (lost my prop shaft cardan joint the same day of a snow storm).

[SuperSonet]

Originally Posted by Pinn

This is what DH and I decided to use on our tow vehicle. Didn't take long to install them , after we figured out the trick of driving the pin thru the keeper first. If there is any noise from them I can't hear it.

https://www.autohaulersupply.com/cat...ock-553774.php

Not my youtube video, just the link that sold me on them

I am using the same units....I think they are called chain mender links. I modified the installation on mine by omitting the center locks and using two shaft collars with set screws (I applied a small amount of Loctite to the set screw to ensure they wouldn't vibrate loose). This made it a lot easier to install them and much easier to remove them later.

[dandemohr]

I found that a product called Hammerlocks will do the trick nicely. They are about $22 each and can safely handle 12,000 lb chains

[rockfordroo]

Had to do a similar mod to my Silverado 2500HD:



Funny that both Ford and Chevy couldn't design this properly.

[benchmarks]

Originally Posted by MT Biker

I only leave the hitch on the truck while towing, the second the trailer is disconnected I take the hitch off... because I am always the first one to walk right into it!

Ahhh glad I’m not the only one [emoji23]

[WoodLark-SC]

Tractor supply seems to be a very acomodating store. When replacing my hitch ball, I need a very large crescent wrench but no store in town carried that size. At Tractor Supply, they didn't stock it either, but they had one back in their shop that they used. Said if I promised to bring it back, I could borrow it. Got my ball installed and brought it back a couple hours later. Great people!

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by WoodLark-SC

Tractor supply seems to be a very acomodating store. When replacing my hitch ball, I need a very large crescent wrench but no store in town carried that size. At Tractor Supply, they didn't stock it either, but they had one back in their shop that they used. Said if I promised to bring it back, I could borrow it. Got my ball installed and brought it back a couple hours later. Great people!

Love that store. My dogs love it as well.

[Jeffjeeptj]

The bad part of aging is when I can’t remember how I got the bruise. The grease could have come from anywhere.
Imgot tired of the bruises and the grease from the hitch, so I have started taking it off the tow vevicle and locking it in the ball socket. I thought that was pretty smart.
Then wife came back from laundry where the dryers did not work well. Best thing to do? hang jeans over the propane tanks and the tongue jack, right where the lower part of the legs met the grease on the E4 pivot sockets.

Now, I’ll think of buying another Hensley, at least the grease is contained. Lining up is a other question. At least when I had the Hensley, I had a good reason for shackles besides an oddball hole in the hitch.
Above poster is correct, shackles are far stronger than the threaded link. Ask me how I know. You could also get twisted shackles if angles are a problem.