Towing hook-ups - braided cables versus chains?

[Wayfinder]

Does anyone see a real reason why I might change from braided cables to chains for the hitch area?

 

[Mike and Carol]

I know of several owners that have replaced their curly cues with chains.  No reason not to.  I’ve thought of doing it myself.  Mike

[mossemi]

52 minutes ago, Wayfinder said:

Does anyone see a real reason why I might change from braided cables to chains for the hitch area?

I think there has been some question about their capacity rating, so some have upgraded to greater capacity with either larger cables or chains.  Each safety cable or chain should be of greater capacity than the weight of the trailer being towed and not the combined total capacity of both cables or chains.

I don’t believe Oliver would provide safety cables that were not rated for at least 7000 lbs, but I believe the Texas motto is "bigger is better" or maybe it’s "everything is bigger in Texas", so I do think it a worthwhile upgrade.  And I am from Florida, so what do I know.

Mossey

[John E Davies]

One of the retaining ears broke on my curly cables, I ordered a new set from Amazon; Jason in Service told me he could not supply me an OEM type, since they no longer install them. He did say that he personally prefers the cables….😀

These are the correct rating and general dimensions, but the hook opening is slightly smaller. They are a little fussy to get clipped into the two holes, on my LC200 hitch, which is perfect IMHO. The old ones had larger hooks, and the one with the busted retainer could fall off. These might not work at all on your TV.

Tie Down Engineering 36” safety cables

I am keeping the one serviceable  old cable as an emergency spare.

Normally I like chains, but on my Ollie I prefer the cables, they stay neatly up and out of the way above the Stone Stomper fabric . Chains would dangle down and interfere more.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[topgun2]

On all of the RV's I owned prior to getting my Ollie, I had chains.  Hopefully I never have to go back to the "chain side".

The cables are up and out of the way both while parked (unhitched) and while underway.  They are cleaner too.  What's not to like?

Bill

[Geronimo John]

On 9/24/2021 at 2:58 AM, topgun2 said:

On all of the RV's I owned prior to getting my Ollie, I had chains.  Hopefully I never have to go back to the "chain side".

The cables are up and out of the way both while parked (unhitched) and while underway.  They are cleaner too.  What's not to like?

Bill

I find the cables a PITA to attach to my F-150 due to their tension and interference with the Anderson system.  Frankly, I would swap the OEM Ollie curly cables for some DOT rated yellow chains in a flash.  However the PITA they are, is not yet very high on the improvements list.

But, before changing hooks, I would fix the latch hook.  It's a lot less expensive.  

 

[topgun2]

4 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

But, before changing hooks, I would fix the latch hook.  It's a lot less expensive.  

Sure do like the way you think!🤑

[Trainman]

Those cables that come with the trailer today pretty much suck, it was the first thing I purchased after our trip back home from picking up out new trailer. They do have a purpose I found out, I wrapped them around a tree that fell over in the lake at out home and pulled the tree out with the tractor.  I'm pretty sure these are the ones I purchased from Amazon, good price with free shipping.  https://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufacturing-80316-Safety-Chain/dp/B0007LVJM0/ref=sr_1_11?crid=3QJISBIKHW7P7&dchild=1&keywords=trailer+safety+chains+with+hooks&qid=1632952494&sprefix=trailer+safety+chains%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-11

 

Note, you will need two 3/8" threaded chain links to attach the chains to the trailer if I remember correctly. 

trainman

[MAX Burner]

QUESTION:  I've noticed that OTT uses a heavier set of curly cables going from 2017 to 2018.  Does anyone know why the factory moved from a lighter cable to a heavier one?  What are the differences in the stress ratings between the two?  Just curious - and would like to know if the smaller diameter cables are rated at 7k# each like these:

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I don’t know the answer, but do know that I don’t like the cables on our Ollie.  The stiffness makes them awkward to attach.  I may replace them with chain.

[rideandfly]

Our 2015 LE2 came from Oliver with chains, never had any issues with them!

[MAX Burner]

Just now, rideandfly said:

Our 2015 LE2 came from Oliver with chains, never had any issues with them!

We've always had chains and never a problem - the smaller gauge curly cues on our Ollie are a bit awkward to connect, and I can imagine how the stiffer/larger cables on newer OTTs would be a bit of a drag to connect.

[rideandfly]

23 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:

We've always had chains and never a problem - the smaller gauge curly cues on our Ollie are a bit awkward to connect, and I can imagine how the stiffer/larger cables on newer OTTs would be a bit of a drag to connect.

Yep, it's quick & easy hook up & disconnect on Ollie with chains, plan to keep them, too.

Edit: Here's a video showing another 2015 Ollie hitch & chains in the first part of the video. Our 2015 frame is different from current Ollie frames, too.

 

[Steph and Dud B]

Our 2022 came with chains.

[topgun2]

A couple of years ago there was/is a thread related to this subject and the whole subject of "strength" (or lack there of) of the various cables versus chains.  Both sides of the topic were covered with the "naysayers" claiming that the cables were not strong and/or were difficult to use and the "fan boys" claiming that one or the other were easier to use while being strong enough for the practical world.  I don't believe that a consensus was ever reached.

Bill 

[Steph and Dud B]

What kind of weird hobby do we have where there are fan boys of cables vs chains... 🙂

[Townesw]

Chains. And custom ball mount. And anti-rattle Hitch Vise  

 

 

 

[topgun2]

HERE is some neat chain/cable covering that helps keep both the tow and Andersen chain looking good.

Installation is simple using black zip ties at each end.

Bill

p.s. Credit for the chain covering goes to Foy.

p.p.s.  Nice anti rattle hitch vise too.  See it HERE.  Mossemi put me onto this one.

[Half Fast Hugo]

2 hours ago, Townesw said:

Chains. And custom ball mount. And anti-rattle Hitch Vise  

 

 

 

THAT,  is a sweet set up! As a recovering engineer, I really like it!

[Townesw]

37 minutes ago, Half Fast Hugo said:

THAT,  is a sweet set up! As a recovering engineer, I really like it!

Thanks. I wanted to make it simple.

[Geronimo John]

 

On 9/3/2023 at 12:03 PM, Townesw said:

Chains. And custom ball mount. And anti-rattle Hitch Vise

Now that is a sweet solution!

GJ