I have a new 2010 F150. Does anyone have trouble attaching the safety chains when towing? If so, what do you do about it?

 

If you are talking about hooking the chain end on to the truck frame, I had a problem at first until I figured out the best way to do it. Previous truck hitches have had just a ring welded to them that the hook would easily slip over. My 2010 has more of a piece of steel plate with a hole in the middle, so I have to slide the hook sideways over the plate and then turn it into the hole. All in all, it is more secure than before, just, as I said, had to figure out the easiest way to do it.

 

I just ran into this problem too, the factory hitch is recessed alot more than other trucks. My chains are held onto the trailer by a bolt so I am just going to get a longer piece of chain. Now if I could just get the brake controller to work...

 

I think all the newer hitch's have the steel plate that Abn150 described.
I finally got fed up years ago with having to finagle the safety hooks into place and I installed a pair of large stainless quick links in my hitch. so now I just have to hook my safety chains into the quick link. It works real slick. Just make sure to install the link so that the threaded coupler threads Down and not up, snug it up good with a wrench and your good to go.

[IMG][/IMG]

I just took this picture a few moments ago.

[IMG][/IMG]

 

^^^ Easiest and Cheapest way to do it. Works awesome to.

 

^^^ Yep. ^^^

These work great. Just ensure they barrel faces 'thread side down' to help prevent vibration from unscrewing the thing. Or wrap it with electrical tape.


MGD

 

but it on from the back.

my boat chains weren't fitting until i went from the back part and they fit with lots of slack.

 

I use these on my truck also. Makes hooking up so much easier than battling that weird angle. I bought the stainless steel version of these though so I don't have to worry about them rusting.

 

Ha!! Since my last truck was a 1990 model, anything that has changed in the last 20 years is newer to me!!

 

I hook and unhook my trailer everyday, and had become quite used to sliding my hooks up at the right angle to slide them on, though sometimes I have to get down on my knees and look to see what I am doing.

Thanks for sharing the simple fix mlamprey - those links are on my list for my next trip to Tractor Supply!

 

The only problem ive had was my chains were simply too short. I did the same thing adding the quick link, but and then some extra heavy duty chain to it. Then slid the open end into the opening, wasnt hard at all.

 

Thanks Guys. I've cussed those things since I got the truck. I'm installing the quick links. Everything else I love about the truck.

 

One of the safety chains on my travel trailer was too short. I had to loosen a bolt that secures the chain, turn the link 90 degrees, and tighten the bolt. That gave the necessary slack.