sepisllib
Cresco, Iowa
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Joined: 12/05/2004
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Scratching your heads - eh?
I always install something a little "extra" for my hitch assembly.
The frame mounted hitch on my coach (both of them) are bolted on and both are well made and tight.
The Blue Ox tow bar came with two (2) coiled safety cables - plastic coated. The hooks are beefy and have the safety latch built into each one.
Normally one would just take the hook and snap it onto the loop built into the big ole hitch - and call it good enough.
What I do is drill a hole in the frame on each side and then bolt on a sizeable chain - and run that chain then to the "loop" - each side gets this treatment.
Now - I snap the safety cable onto the "loop" and also into the new Chain that is securely bolted to the frams.
Should the hitch assembly break loose for any reason - the newly installed chain assembly will catch it. It may become loose but not come completely off.
Now - a normal inspection of the assembly at each stop will allow for more security.
Oh yes - the base plate on my car is also cable secured to the frame in addition to being bolted on....
I think that for the entire installation it was under $17
No - don't have any photos of it. Been too busy trying to prepare for next trip, preparing home for snow and all the yard work I have been doing. Have had 68,000 # of black dirt delievered thus far and had to move each pound by wheelborrow - now have another 34,000 pounds coming sometime today. Be glad to get that finished up.
Ya see - between chasing forks in the black tank and everything else - been kind of busy.
God Bless
Bill
Bill W. Trammell
Wife - Judy
2001 Monaco Dynasty Chancellor
2008 Malibu 2LT toad
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xctraveler
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 10/28/2002
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I take it you also wear a belt and suspenders  Good idea.
Paul
Trucking down the road in a 2004 Southwind 36E on Workhorse Chassis with a 2005 Toyota RAV4 AWD stick shift tow'd with US Gear Brake System. Check out my journal
FMCA 352081
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Lucky Mr H
Creston, IA
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Joined: 07/29/2008
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At least you are one person on the road that has very little worry about their towed vehicle passing them!
Good for you!
I'd much rather see that than the guy with the dog chain looped around stuff.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Another thing many do not do, I learned (the easy way) to do, is inspect the bolts that hold the base plates to the car
We inspected mine by chance and found several in need of tightening. No damage, no loss, tightened them up and all OK
But you should check 'em from time to time.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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sepisllib
Cresco, Iowa
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Joined: 12/05/2004
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xctraveler wrote:I take it you also wear a belt and suspenders Good idea.
How did your know that?
Yes - as a matter of fact I do!
God Bless
Bill
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Gadget Guy
Whitefish/Calgary
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Joined: 02/18/2007
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Great job, never can be to safe, after having our toad break free and yes the hitch was professionally installed, metal fatigue set in and broke, it is important to have safety cables and chains attach to the frame of both units, and yes I too wear a belt and suspenders.
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Carvin Marvin
Livingston, Texas, USA
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Joined: 10/16/2004
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Have you guys noticed how many do not cross the chains or cables under the hitch point?
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sepisllib
Cresco, Iowa
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Joined: 12/05/2004
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Carvin Marvin wrote:Have you guys noticed how many do not cross the chains or cables under the hitch point?
I don't think they know any better.
I do, always have.
God Bless
Bill
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bsprague
Milton, WA
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Joined: 11/14/2003
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Carvin Marvin wrote:Have you guys noticed how many do not cross the chains or cables under the hitch point?
I know why I do that when I am towing a trailer where the hitch carries a lot of weight (like a boat trailer). If the ball or hitch bar comes loose, the trailer tongue will drop onto the crossed chains and (theoretically) I will have greater control.
Why does it matter on a towbar that carries no weight? If the ball comes loose the towbar will just flop around.
Bill Sprague
2004 Beaver Monterey, 8.3 ISC 350 Cummins
2007 Ford Edge AWD
9 ft Quicksilver inflatable boat w/ 15 hp Suzuki
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Jerry B
Ozark Highlands
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Joined: 06/11/2001
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The idea of crossed chains goes back to when the safety chains were hooked to the towing vehicle spring shackles. This made for pretty long chains. Crossing the chains shortened the chain geometry and in a hitch failure prevented large side to side excursions of the towed vehicle. On my tow bar set up, the chain connect points are so close, crossing them would make little difference.
Jerry B
1996 Dolphin 535,F-53.
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