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JoyMarie,
I had a similar problem and I bought all new chain for the full length instead of using links to join two pieces. I wanted equal strength the whole chain length but since the load capability of the clevis exceeds the chain load rating, I can't see how that would be a problem. Just check to make sure the clevis doesn't work loose as you tow. I tend to either use a lock tight product, or sometimes just ding the threads slightly to keep nuts and similar threaded fasteners tight. That was almost 3 years ago and I have used the hitch ever since -- no problems at all. I would go ahead and not worry a bit about it.
Personally, I love the Anderson. Much faster to hook up and not hurting my back as I did when I used to use the weight distributing bars.
I have an old friend, retired log truck driver who owned his own trucks and tried to keep them on the road as much as possible. He has towed singles, doubles and triple log truck trailers on logging roads which have to be the worst possible, trying to stay in business. He stopped keeping track of mileages many years ago when he went over 9 million miles. He likes to joke that he has backed up more miles than most people have driven ahead. It might even be true.
He has a long, heavy travel trailer and does not use either weight distributing bars or anti-sway bars. In his opinion, too many people use them incorrectly and they will throw the tow vehicle off the road or into the ditch when the towed load weighs significantly more than the tractor/tow vehicle. It is a matter of weight and if the larger weight loses traction or direction, it is going to force the lighter vehicle to go whatever direction the heavier load goes when they are all locked together using WD hitches.
He believes it killed his brother when a load of scrap steel on a flat bed trailer with a weight distributing hitch skidded and flipped. It flipped the trailer and it also flipped the tow vehicle, killing his brother. He thinks the trailer would have broke off but for the WD hitch and maybe the tow vehicle would not have flipped, killing his brother.
He always tows level, using air bags and just a regular hitch, thinking it will break off before it flips his truck. If it starts to sway at all, he just taps the trailer brakes to straighten out the trailer and gives his truck just a slight tap on the accelerator to pull everything back straight. No more than a couple miles per hour increase in speed and then slows back down once everything is straight. Of course, he drives a 3/4 ton heavy duty diesel crew cab pickup and believes in having a tow vehicle that has some heft to it as a matter of survival.
I have known him for over 40 years and he has not had an accident during all that time and he has always towed the same way. No WD hitch. We full timed together for a couple years and he is on the road a lot, even at 86. He would rather lose his trailer than his life, from his point of view. But, he insists on air bags and is scrupulously religious about always towing level. He thinks that is most important as that is less likely to cause a problem than if the load is angled up or down on the hitch.
I use the Anderson but also always tow level and have not had any problems since doing that.
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