I am having issues with connecting and disconnecting the safety chain hooks to the hitch mount of my 2016 F150 truck. It is very difficult to get just the proper angle to get them hooked. The gauge of the steel of the hitch mount holes, the size of the holes and the thickness of the hooks makes this very difficult. Has anyone else had a similar issue? Is there some type of fix that is safe to make connecting and disconnecting the safety chains easier?

Get the angle right and they will slip right on. My wife was fighting with them, until I showed her how to align the hook to the slot... she's a pro now

I had the same issue and just got larger size hooks for the safety chains. Got them from one of the box DIY stores.. Sure, they are made in China.... But, they clip on and clip off a lot easier than the ones that came with the trailer so works for me.Good luck!Mitch

I'll chime in here, I have the same issue with my 2016 F150. I ended up getting caribiners to add to the end of my chain link and use them to attach to the truck. I think they are 7/16" diameter so it's tensile strength is plenty high. They still require a little rotation and twisting but it's better than the safety chain hooks. Also they added just enough length. I think I bought them at Lowe's but maybe got them from Amazon.

The chain and hook department of your local hardware store can solve your problem.

Have you tried putting the hooks thru from the bottom of the plate? My hooks, with wire retainers, on my utility trailer are difficult to hook to my F350 from the top. But easily go in from the bottom.

Trailer safety chain hooks and F150 | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

fdwt994
Explorer
May 14, 2019
D.E.Bishop wrote:
cavie wrote:
buy 2 Threaded carabiners/link extensions from you local Hardware store

X2. I installed the threaded chain links and applied some red loctite to the threads. Seems that folks like them and some are too cheap to pay $5 or so in the store. Now it's real easy to hook and unhook the safety catch hooks on my safety cables.

I saw these at the local home improvement store, but none that seemed to have the weight / strength capacity of the chain itself. I'm willing to bet some folks are attaching these type of chain links and instantly reducing the strength of their chain.
OleManOleCan
Explorer
May 08, 2019
RonRN18 wrote:
I am having issues with connecting and disconnecting the safety chain hooks to the hitch mount of my 2016 F150 truck. It is very difficult to get just the proper angle to get them hooked. The gauge of the steel of the hitch mount holes, the size of the holes and the thickness of the hooks makes this very difficult. Has anyone else had a similar issue? Is there some type of fix that is safe to make connecting and disconnecting the safety chains easier?

I put a couple of steel links in ours. They are a little longer, and easier to hook up.
CROSS YOUR CHAINS WHEN YOU TOW.
Boomerweps
Explorer
May 01, 2019
Looking forward to not using the shackles on my new F150. The F150 uses plate steel for the safety chain loops. My Explorer used tightly curved, very thick, round stock for the chain loops.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Apr 30, 2019
rrupert wrote:
I had this problem on my 2012 F150 until I learned to put them on correctly. Point the hook end up and pull it through the loop from front to back, or towards you. Works slick as a whistle. Taking off is just as easy.

Ya, this is what I do on my 2011 F150 as well
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Apr 30, 2019
I think what they are really talking about are threaded links. I googled threaded links and got quick links and caribiner. All correct I guess.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2019
I agree. I wouldn’t trust any caribiners no matter their rating. Larger hooks are the simplest and safest way to go!
Huntindog
Explorer
Apr 30, 2019
What are the carbiners you guys are using rated for?

I have never seen any that come even close to what I would need.

Larger hooks did it for me on my dually.
AmericalVette
Explorer
Apr 29, 2019
I got these for my F350 due to the same issue. These are also available at some of the "big-box" hardware stores, Tractor Supply, etc. https://www.bulletproofhitches.com/products/5-8-channel-shackle-for-safety-chains?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-IOOxpL24QIVR77ACh2s2AMmEAQYAiABEgKEJ_D_BwE
BarabooBob
Explorer III
Apr 29, 2019
(I also had a problem with my F150. As someone suggested, I laid on the ground and looked at the best way to hook up to the hitch. After doing that and showing my wife how they fit, we both can hook them up without looking.
rrupert
Explorer
Apr 29, 2019
I had this problem on my 2012 F150 until I learned to put them on correctly. Point the hook end up and pull it through the loop from front to back, or towards you. Works slick as a whistle. Taking off is just as easy.