Safety tow chains

[Bobc]

Our 2019 Elite came with the heavy cables with hooks instead of the traditional safety tow chains. We would like to replace the cables with chains. Can someone tell use how long each chain should be?

thank you

 

 

[Ray and Susan Huff]

Do the cables have some sort of covering or are they bare metal?  If covered, this may be the new standard.  Many roadside fires have started as a result of metal safety chains dragging, causing sparks.  You should first check motor vehicles regulations for clarification.

[BackofBeyond]

The cables are covered, I have grown to like mine - certainly not worth the effort to change them out  - in my world.  A few folks have done the replacement - perhaps they will comment. 

[John E Davies]

2 hours ago, Bobc said:

We would like to replace the cables with chains. Can someone tell use how long each chain should be?

It depends on where you plan to connect them to the frame. They should form an X when hooked to the receiver, to catch the coupler if it disconnects. The factory location does not allow for this. If you drill new holes about a foot back at the bottom of each frame rail, that should be fine.

Decide where they will attach, measure across diagonally to the receiver hole, and add another foot of length for each one, to allow them to droop under the Andersen plate, if you have one. Trim the chain length as needed to get rid of any excess after you have tow tested the mod. You can support the chains with a short bungee cord, as I do with the Andersen chains when not in use.

I have cables, and while I originally thought they were a downgrade, I have come to like them a lot. They seem to be secure enough, are neat and tidy, and they coil themselves back and out of the way when disconnected. Plus they are WAY lighter. I plan to keep mine.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Edited September 23, 2020 by John E Davies

[Bobc]

Thanks for the replies. Based on those replies, I think we’ll just keep the cables for now and see how they do. What a great group of people that have a rich knowledge base!

Thanks again

Bobc

[Galway Girl]

I have an F150 with a connection point way under the bumper. 
While the coiled cable chains worked well, I wanted to change to make it a bit easier to connect.
I've added the following chains, along with a woven cover.

 

2x - CURT 80302 35-Inch Trailer Safety Chain with 1/4-In Clevis Snap Hook, 7,800 lbs Break Strength

I saved my previous cable chains in my backup box.

 

[Mainiac]

Cables were an initial concern. Not anymore. Pull them out and snap on, done. Disconnect and throw over tongue, done. Never drag, stretch in tight turns as needed and then retract. Trouble free. We like to "fine tune" things, but never found a need with the cables.