LovinTheSouthernLife
Mississippi
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Joined: 06/08/2008
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Gunpilot: I am going from a Toyota 4Runner to a Toyota Tundra. I've measured everything, and the only difference is that the hooks beside the receiver on the Tundra are about 3" further back than the hooks on the 4Runner.
Chadsalt: That sounds like a good idea, and thanks for the specifics on the type of chain I'd need... But what about the breakaway cable? How do I go about lengthening it? can it be replaced without replacing the entire switch?
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chadsalt
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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LovinTheSouthernLife wrote:
Chadsalt: That sounds like a good idea, and thanks for the specifics on the type of chain I'd need... But what about the breakaway cable? How do I go about lengthening it? can it be replaced without replacing the entire switch?
Don't see why not. Buy some of the correct size cable, cut the old one off the breakaway plug, and fabricate the correct length.
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Gunpilot77
Killeen, Tx
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Joined: 10/06/2000
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wayne_tw wrote:Gunpilot77 wrote: A lot of times the chains are too long and I have to twist them to keep them from dragging.
Never twist chains to shorten them. In a break-away situation, those twisted links have "travel" space until they make contact with the next twisted link, thus weakening the entire chain.
I'm aware of that, but when the trailer is new from the factory, going to a dealer I haven't any choice. I sure as heck won't cut them. My thought process is that a weakened chain that is the right length is better than a strong chain that allows the hitch to drop onto the pavement if the ball were to break.
Fifth wheel pulled with a pick-up
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wayne_tw
South Dakota/Georgia
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Gunpilot77 wrote:wayne_tw wrote:Gunpilot77 wrote: A lot of times the chains are too long and I have to twist them to keep them from dragging.
Never twist chains to shorten them. In a break-away situation, those twisted links have "travel" space until they make contact with the next twisted link, thus weakening the entire chain.
I'm aware of that, but when the trailer is new from the factory, going to a dealer I haven't any choice. I sure as heck won't cut them. My thought process is that a weakened chain that is the right length is better than a strong chain that allows the hitch to drop onto the pavement if the ball were to break.
Can't you just pull the chains through the hole on the receiver and attach the hook to a link so it will be the correct length?
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Gunpilot77
Killeen, Tx
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wayne_tw wrote:
Can't you just pull the chains through the hole on the receiver and attach the hook to a link so it will be the correct length?
Not very often. Either wrong type hook, too large of a hook or no hook (threaded ring)
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LovinTheSouthernLife
Mississippi
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Just wanted to give an update on the problem since i haven't already... i called our dealership and talked to their tech. he recommended cutting each chain and extending them using quick links. So i went to Lowe's and got some Reese quick links (rated @ 5000# each), then came home and did exactly what he said to do. The breakaway cable was still plenty long enough. what a simple fix for a problem that i apparently blew WAY out of proportion!!
Thanks for the help.
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Tarantula
Saint John, IN
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Joined: 11/05/2007
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Twisting the chains to shorten them is the only DOT approved way between trailers or on JifLok tractors. And the chains are supposed to be crossed under the tongue on ANY hooh-up requiring chains so the tongue doesn't drop on the pavement in case of separatuon.
Our Unit: '05 Dodge 2500 SLT Bighorn Quadcab 4X2. Cummins, Auto, 3.73. Reese 15k 5th wheel. '06 Montana 3000RK.
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