Safety chains for towing

[Russsilber90]

My safety cables attach to RV and run to tow bar holders attached to car. See pics.

 

[redbaron]

My safety cables attach to RV and run to tow bar holders attached to car. See pics.

Based on what I see here--I would be very nervous about it actually working.

To clarify -- you only know that the setup is safe with it pulling the load that it is protecting.

I think the rust alone (if what I am seeing is rust) indicates that the material won't live up to its original design. Then knowing what rating was on the quick connects is another issue.

I know Roadmaster sells these. They are not one size fits all. Your weight determines them.

I have replaced all the safety cable and connectors with ones with stamped ratings, which means I had to forgo the quick connect on the jeep setup. My 2020 Jeep Wrangler is 6k lbs, and based on how a swinging vehicle could pull, all of the weight could end up on a single link.

I went with 12k lb saftey wire, and 12k lb connectors. These ratings are the stamped ratings and the working load, not the breaking point. The breaking point is what most will publish, and that number needs to be much greater (3x ) the actual working load.

 

[redbaron]

Here is a product similar rated to what I purchased:

https://www.etrailer.com/Safety-Cables/Demco/DM9523051.html

 

[Russsilber90]

Based on what I see here--I would be very nervous about it actually working.

To clarify -- you only know that the setup is safe with it pulling the load that it is protecting.

I think the rust alone (if what I am seeing is rust) indicates that the material won't live up to its original design. Then knowing what rating was on the quick connects is another issue.

I know Roadmaster sells these. They are not one size fits all. Your weight determines them.

I have replaced all the safety cable and connectors with ones with stamped ratings, which means I had to forgo the quick connect on the jeep setup. My 2020 Jeep Wrangler is 6k lbs, and based on how a swinging vehicle could pull, all of the weight could end up on a single link.

I went with 12k lb saftey wire, and 12k lb connectors. These ratings are the stamped ratings and the working load, not the breaking point. The breaking point is what most will publish, and that number needs to be much greater (3x ) the actual working load.

Pulls 3000 lb CRV. No rust, lots of mud on road to storage. Clean up great. Use brake buddy with set up. Over 70,000 miles towing over entire country. Never gave it a second thought. Set up by authorized dealer to factory specs from Road Master.

 

[MapNerd]

Roadmaster literally puts these on their 8k# & 10k# safety cables, the latter of which are included with their Nighthawk towbar.

Accessories - Safety Cables - Roadmaster Inc.

www.roadmasterinc.com

I’ve got no issues using the ones that came with my safety cables from Roadmaster.

 

[MapNerd]

My 2020 Jeep Wrangler is 6k lbs, and based on how a swinging vehicle could pull, all of the weight could end up on a single link.

If your Jeep is swinging, your supplemental braking system isn’t working.

 

[redbaron]

If your Jeep is swinging, your supplemental braking system isn’t working.

Oh, I agree--but I plan for failures at all levels.

 

[redbaron]

Pulls 3000 lb CRV. No rust, lots of mud on road to storage. Clean up great. Use brake buddy with set up. Over 70,000 miles towing over entire country. Never gave it a second thought. Set up by authorized dealer to factory specs from Road Master.

Your weight is very little. NO rust is good. I do not see a problem with your setup, and I am not suggesting that there is a problem with it.

Just be careful about the thought process of "x number of years, and never had a problem".

These things are only proven reliable once they do the job in which they are intended to do...meaning, once your road master fails and brake buddy doesn't engage---then you are testing your break away cables. Until then---its just theory.

I live in a theoretical world, as I have never tested my cables. So I have over compensated on the ratings to make sure that I have done all that is possible to ensure safety for the tow.

 

[Russsilber90]

Your weight is very little. NO rust is good. I do not see a problem with your setup, and I am not suggesting that there is a problem with it.

Just be careful about the thought process of "x number of years, and never had a problem".

These things are only proven reliable once they do the job in which they are intended to do...meaning, once your road master fails and brake buddy doesn't engage---then you are testing your break away cables. Until then---its just theory.

I live in a theoretical world, as I have never tested my cables. So I have over compensated on the ratings to make sure that I have done all that is possible to ensure safety for the tow.

Sounds good. I respect your world. Having lived through 3 mechanical aircraft engine failures I put a lot of faith in fate. After all one blow out can ruin the best of all mechanical safety precautions.
Best of luck and safe journey.

 

[lostinfla]

I had the same problem with the hooks when I went with the heavier cables like ARD has. I removed the spring closers from the hooks as my last set never had any, and the hooks fit easily. The cable being coiled, will/has held them in position just fine for the last 20k or so.