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safety chains

trtog7
Explorer
Explorer
Is there a problem with your safety chains attaching to the tow bar.
The receiver is too far in and had to add an extension to the tow bar to work and in order to not have to crawl under the motorhome we would like to attach the safety chains to the extension
6 REPLIES 6

mowermech
Explorer
Explorer
I bought my first truck camper sometime around 1975. Since then, I have owned a camp trailer, a travel trailer, I lived in a fifth wheel for three years, I have owned 4 different Class A motorhomes, one Class C motorhome, and a couple of other truck campers.
I have never met anybody who lost a trailer of any kind while moving. I have never met anybody who lost a towed vehicle. I have never met anybody who dropped a fifth wheel on their truck box. I have read about one instance where a trailer on the freeway got away from the towing vehicle (it was on the wrong size ball, no safety chains were in use, and there was no breakaway brakes in use).
Having said all that, I use safety chains on all towed rigs. They are attached to the receiver safety chain loops. I have never needed them, but they are there, and hooked up!
Safety chains or cables should always be connected in front of the most likely failure point on the towing vehicle, and behind the most likely failure point on the towed unit. ANY damage to the chain or cable is cause for replacement! Remember, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link!" A damaged link is a weak point. the same applies to cables, even though a cable has no links; any damage weakens the cable!
CM1, USN (RET)
2017 Jayco TT
Daily Driver: '14 Subaru Outback
1998 Dodge QC LWB, Cummins, 5 speed, 4X2
2 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 ATVs.
Pride Raptor 3 wheeled off-road capable mobility scooter
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"

rockylarson
Explorer
Explorer
As others have said the chains should go from frame mounted base plate to
frame mounted hitch. Both should have required attachment points. The tow bar should not be in the picture.
I have a 4 inch drop hitch which increase my chain length requirement by almost a foot over standard chains. I installed 18 inch safety chains to both sides of the motorhome hitch. The standard chains connect to them.
Jan and Rocky
Volunteers for USFWS. 29 refuges with 9300 hrs ea since 2006. 2004 Allegro 30DA, Workhorse 8.1, Banks, 2012 Jeep Liberty Jet, Blue Ox Aladdin, Brake Buddy Advantage Select, 300 watts solar, 5 Optima group 31 AGM's, 2000watt Ames PSW inverter.

skipnchar
Explorer
Explorer
Just keep in mind, in 50 years of RVing I've never KNOWN anyone who has had a travel trailer that was disconnected accidentally. IN that same time frame I personally know of three people who have had a towed become disconnected. ONE of those times another family was seriously injured. Please be safe.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer

US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population

LadyRVer
Explorer II
Explorer II
x2on above info. If towbar breaks loose, where is toad going?
I had to purchase a new set of safety cables for the my toad and there were 2 different lengths for the Blue Ox. I use the longer cables.

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Your safety chains on the MH must be connected to a frame bolted item.
I would suggest getting the safety cable extensions to run from under the MH to the point where you can get to the regular safety cables/chains.
Safety cable info

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

rvten
Explorer
Explorer
And if the Pin for the extension should just happen to come out?
Once you hook up the chains on the MH. Just leave them joked up.
Tom & Bonnie
Crossville, TN.
Aspect 29H 2008 Type C
Ford Flex SEL 2010
There is NO B+