Safety chains for towing

[ARD]

When I picked up my new coach, I could not attach my safety cables to the motorcoach as the bracket was much wider than the one on my DSDP. I've attached these "links" (not sure what you call them) and I attach the safety cable to them. Is this okay for the long term or are there safety cables with a bigger connector? I haven't found one yet. So for all you London Aire or possibly new coach peeps, how are you connecting the cable to your coach?

 

[Russsilber90]

When I picked up my new coach, I could not attach my safety cables to the motorcoach as the bracket was much wider than the one on my DSDP. I've attached these "links" (not sure what you call them) and I attach the safety cable to them. Is this okay for the long term or are there safety cables with a bigger connector? I haven't found one yet. So for all you London Aire or possibly new coach peeps, how are you connecting the cable to your coach?
View attachment 10456

As long as Connector is rated for the load of the chain It seems okay. Tensile strength would be important.

 

[Neal]

Can you share a picture of the end of your safety cable? I think what I got with my blueox would fit. I wonder if the safety cables you have are for a lower weight rating. Blue ox cables for higher ratings seem larger.

https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=safety+cables

 

[ARD]

As long as Connector is rated for the load of the chain It seems okay. Tensile strength would be important.

Thank you @Russsilber90. That is my concern because I don't know the answer to that. Nice fellow in the parts department of NIRVC helped me and put those on. I would feel more comfortable with the safety cable attached directly to the coach.

 

[ARD]

Can you share a picture of the end of your safety cable? I think what I got with my blueox would fit. I wonder if the safety cables you have are for a lower weight rating. Blue ox cables for higher ratings seem larger.

https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=safety+cables

Mine are blue ox too, but the plate is wider than the one one that was on my DS so it doesn't fit.

 

[Neal]

Those are much beefier than mine which may be the issue, they are for a higher weight rating. I obviously defer to others but what you could do is measure the lip of your coach side bracket, the width of that black rim and send the picture and measurement to etrailer.com with the measurement and they can probably get you the better fit for safety cables and by sending them the measurement hopefully would ensure the proper fit.

 

[ARD]

measure the lip of your coach side bracket, the width of that black rim and send the picture and measurement to etrailer.com with the measurement and they can probably get you the better fit for safety cables and by sending them the measurement hopefully would ensure the proper fit.

That's a good idea. Thanks @Neal.

 

[redbaron]

Those are called "quick connectors". Diameters of 1/2" are good to 5k lbs. Using 2 will keep you rated at 10k.

The diameter determines the strength, as does the material. Many mfg's of these do not list the real data.

These are 5k

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/TowSmart/348749M.html

 

[sheridany]

I use those threaded coupler rings on my rig and have not had an issue. Just make sure screw thread are tight. In case of an emergency, I’d want to be able unhook quickly. Trying to get mine off the first time was not trivial and a good friend suggested those rings.

 

[jbh]

You can use readily-obtainable screw-pin shackles in stainless or galvanized of whatever size you want. Get them from West Marine, Amazon etc. The proper way to use them is to screw in the pin as tightly as possible, then secure it with wire so it can't work loose. I think, and I might be wrong, that the shackle things you have are the weak link.
You clip your hook in the hoop of the shackle.

 

[ARD]

Those are called "quick connectors". Diameters of 1/2" are good to 5k lbs. Using 2 will keep you rated at 10k.

The diameter determines the strength, as does the material. Many mfg's of these do not list the real data.

These are 5k

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/TowSmart/348749M.html

Thanks @redbaron. Mine look to be slightly less than ½." What do you think. Maybe I should order 2 more just in case.

 

[Russsilber90]

Thank you @Russsilber90. That is my concern because I don't know the answer to that. Nice fellow in the parts department of NIRVC helped me and put those on. I would feel more comfortable with the safety cable attached directly to the coach.

I have the same on my car tow bar attached to car frame have worked fine for six yrs

 

[MapNerd]

Roadmaster makes some intended for towing.

 

[J&JD]

@ARD , you could always double them up (Two on each side). You would for sure be good to go that way

 

[redbaron]

@ARD , you could always double them up (Two on each side). You would for sure be good to go that way

Beat me to it. This is what I would do?

 

[redbaron]

I have the same on my car tow bar attached to car frame have worked fine for six yrs

Wowsers...I have been towing for 15 years and never has a chance to test these firsthand. How many times has your toolbar failed? Details please.

You may be the only person I know of qualified to respond.

 

[Neal]

Personally, I wouldn't want to deal with those connectors (like carabiners). There could be a significant "opening shock" and I'm not sure to what level, it could be a 20,000 lb force, who knows. I would not trust those to hold up but I don't know the specs. Regardless, I would find cables that connect properly without intermediate connections.

For heavy duty connections such as I used when towing a boat people use "d ring shackles" they appear to be called.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Amazon.com : ring shackles

 

[J&JD]

it could be a 20,000 lb force, who knows

Maybe, if the LA were hanging off a cliff & the Chevy were tied to a large tree. In my whole career of rving I have come across only one person with a tow bar failure of note and I guarantee you would know it soon enough. All the cables are for is to keep the toad attached to the coach so that it doesn’t detach and mess up some other poor person/driver. Maybe we are into overkill here. Then, again, I’m certainly no expert.

 

[Neal]

Remember the Air Force 1 has a lanyard as well so in a break away the toad will apply brakes and you'll have that force to contend with too.

 

[Joe Hogan]

When I picked up my new coach, I could not attach my safety cables to the motorcoach as the bracket was much wider than the one on my DSDP. I've attached these "links" (not sure what you call them) and I attach the safety cable to them. Is this okay for the long term or are there safety cables with a bigger connector? I haven't found one yet. So for all you London Aire or possibly new coach peeps, how are you connecting the cable to your coach?
View attachment 10456

Have a very similar setup to attach the coiled wire safety cables on my Dolly to the RV as well.