We are in the process of setting up our minivan to tow 4 down behind our new MH. Ordered the parts yesterday, supposed to get here by early next week.
Anyway, I've been thinking about the safety cables that are included in the deal, and that I see so many using when towing 4 down - The thin cables most people use instead of chains.
I have always been very 'paranoid' when it comes to safety chains. Every RV trailer I owned as well as the dolly we are presently using, one of the first upgrades I've always done is to ditch the safety chains it comes with, and replace them all with much more stout chains and clevis hooks with safety latches. I've always wanted to make it #% near impossible for the towed vehicle (or trailer) to ever get loose.
That being the case, I have very little faith in the thin, curled up safety cables I see in use with 4 down towing setups. Especially when I see that many just connect to the base plate on the towed vehicle. If base plate lets go, safety cables become worthless.
Anyway, I'm seriously thinking about keeping the heavy duty chains I presently use to hold our van onto the dolly, and attach those between the MH and the front tow hooks on our van when we flat tow it (and not using the coiled up safety cables that come with the tow bar).
Is there any reason I should NOT use chains like this instead of the cables? Am I (again) being too paranoid? Has anyone else scrapped the cables in favor of real chains for their 4 down towing setup? What are those cables actually rated for?
Seems like one good 'pull' from the towed vehicle in the event of a separation would snap those cables in two very easily..
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis Our Rig
Use whatever makes you feel the most secure. The safety cables supplied with my ReadyBrute towbar/brake system are rated in excess of the 8,000 lb capacity of the tow bar. I seriously doubt my 3200 lb toad is likely to snap them. And yes, they do attach to my Blue Ox base plate, but in turn, the base plate also has safety cables attached to the toad frame, so even if the bolts should let go, it's not going to completely separate.
You might check into what is the diameter/size of the cable, to see what their rating is as far as load it can handle. I checked on the Internet, and a 1/4" cable has a break strength of 5,400 pounds. So if you have two 1/4" cables that should handle over 10,00 pounds. Or probably about twice the weight of your van. Also in the event of a failure, you will only need enough strength to secure the van to the motor home, which will be far less then the capacity of one 1/4" cable.
Dutch_12078 wrote: Use whatever makes you feel the most secure. The safety cables supplied with my ReadyBrute towbar/brake system are rated in excess of the 8,000 lb capacity of the tow bar.
Thats what I went with, too, the ReadyBrute towbar/brake system. Good to hear that the cables that come with it are rated for more than 8,000 lbs.
What about the S hooks at the ends, though? Thats one of the parts I don't trust. I've heard of those things 'straightening out' in a separation incident, letting the towed vehicle loose. 'Tis the reason I use clevis hooks with a latch like THIS on my safety chains. I suppose I could attach clevis hooks to the ends of those cables and use them.
Quote: I seriously doubt my 3200 lb toad is likely to snap them. And yes, they do attach to my Blue Ox base plate, but in turn, the base plate also has safety cables attached to the toad frame, so even if the bolts should let go, it's not going to completely separate.
Ah, good to know. Will have to take a closer look at how the base plate attaches.
I have these Blue Ox cables
They are rated at 10,000 lbs. Way over kill for my little 2600 lb Focus. The base plate has a similiar cable which is a safety cable for the baseplate to the toad. Don't think it is going anywhere while it is being towed down the highway.
Blue Ox also makes a lighter weight 5000 lb cable which would have been more appropriate for my car, but the heavier one came with the Blue Ox Aventa™ LX which is also rated at 10,000 lbs, and that I what I brought to tow my car. That way I can move up to a heavier toad if ever needed.
Quote: "Is there any reason I should NOT use chains like this instead of the cables? Am I (again) being too paranoid? Has anyone else scrapped the cables in favor of real chains for their 4 down towing setup? What are those cables actually rated for?
Seems like one good 'pull' from the towed vehicle in the event of a separation would snap those cables in two very easily.. "
Yes, there IS a reason not to use chains; the coiled cables allow the toad, if separated, to drop back further from the coach. This allows plenty of room for the breakaway cable to pull out of the switch and apply the toad brakes. With chains you have to get the breakaway cable exactly right in order for it to work. Even then, the closeness of the toad makes the chances of damaging the rear of the coach greater.
The cables have been tested many times and will not snap having a working load of 10,000 lb + rating X2 cables. Breaking strength is far greater than that. A separation or failure of the hitch results in the toad coasting back as it is no longer being pulled along. When the brakes are activated by the breakaway system the tension increases but not to anywhere near the limit.
I mean.. Like you I looked at them and thought "Will they hold?"
So let me tell you the answer.
Towed was 4,000 pounds of Chevy Lumina APV, now that is 2 ton EMPTY, I had stuff in it... Near as I can tell the break-away cable snagged the spring pin that holds to tow poin in the receiver and pulled it out,, The tow pin then came out and dropped the hitch, So now I have the hitch hitting the ground stoppign that 4,000 pound car very quickly. Thus answering the question:
Will the cables hold?
YES. they did Quite well in fact.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
wny_pat wrote: I have these Blue Ox cables
They are rated at 10,000 lbs. Way over kill for my little 2600 lb Focus. The base plate has a similiar cable which is a safety cable for the baseplate to the toad. Don't think it is going anywhere while it is being towed down the highway.
Blue Ox also makes a lighter weight 5000 lb cable which would have been more appropriate for my car, but the heavier one came with the Blue Ox Aventa™ LX which is also rated at 10,000 lbs, and that I what I brought to tow my car. That way I can move up to a heavier toad if ever needed.
..I like those better, just for the hooks on the ends they use (as noted in last post, I've always used hooks like that).
Latch on the hooks makes sure it will never slip off. Nor will they 'straighten out', either.
I may just have to use the cables ReadyBrute comes with, but ditch the S hooks on the ends in favor of clevis hooks.
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