halibutman214 wrote: I've saw the results 5 times where whatever was being towed came loose from the TV and of those 5 times the chain or cable did not break. With that said every single one of them seperated from the TV. While the chain/cable held, the weld, bolt or whatever was attaching the chain broke every time. The cable/chain is only as good as what's attaching it, or what it's attached to. Not to say I don't have them hooked up and in good working order but I would NEVER trust one to actually hold.
Did any of those five times involve a towed car? I can see issues if you have a trailer and the hitch fails and the trailer digs into the pavement, but if you're towing a car and something fails nothing is going to dig into the pavement and the car is going to coast along behind you and either stop with the emergency brakes while you stop, or it's going to stop when you stop and it crashes into the back of your motorhome.
2004 National Tropi-Cal T-350, Class A, Triple slide, 330 HP Cat DP. 2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4 or
2002 Harley FLSTF Fat Boy on a Trailer or
2004 Polaris Quad on the Trailer
I had to look through that entire thread to figure that one out. The baseplate didn't fail but part of the actual vehicle failed. Looks like a design flaw in the Ford Explorer Scout the way they have it set to tow.
I had to look through that entire thread to figure that one out. The baseplate didn't fail but part of the actual vehicle failed. Looks like a design flaw in the Ford Explorer Scout the way they have it set to tow.
I doubt Ford authorizes it to be towed that way. My Jeep has tow hooks and the manual specifically states that the tow hooks are not strong enough for recreational towing. The problem is with Blue Ox choosing to use the tow hooks for something other than what they were designed for.
..I read through all of that thread, and some others related to that incident. I would have to agree, Blue Ox should never have relied on those tow hooks alone for holding the base plate on. The hooks would probably be OK for safety/emergency cables or chains, but not for everyday towing use. 'Twas a recipe for disaster, I'm glad they got that corrected quickly.
I'm amazed this thread has created 3 pages of discussion. Hahah, its funny how you start a thread one day to ask one question, you may get 1 or 2 responses. Next day, ask another question, and there's 3 pages of discussion. Guess some subjects command more attention than others.
Anyway, thanks for all the responses, I've definitely learned quite a bit from this. Think I'll probably stick with the safety cables NSA provides with our tow bar. I just may upgrade the hooks on the ends, though, not sure 'bout that yet.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis Our Rig
I had to look through that entire thread to figure that one out. The baseplate didn't fail but part of the actual vehicle failed. Looks like a design flaw in the Ford Explorer Scout the way they have it set to tow.
I doubt Ford authorizes it to be towed that way. My Jeep has tow hooks and the manual specifically states that the tow hooks are not strong enough for recreational towing. The problem is with Blue Ox choosing to use the tow hooks for something other than what they were designed for.
Dave
The Flying Fortress
FMCA F298817
'83 Revcon Prince 31' FWD
502 w/Howell/GM 16197427 ECM/Edelbrock MPFI,Thorley's & Magnaflows,
4L85E 4 speed, KoniFSD,
6% grade = wanna drag? MISC photos Revconeers Forum
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.
Will
Have you looked at the hooks on supplied NSA cables? Mine are 1/2" formed stainless steel rod that a scratch test suggests has at least some degree of hardening. The hooks also include spring keepers similar to the one on the forged hooks you posted. I don't have anyspecific load data for them, but I'd expect they at least match the cable strength. Keep in mind, if a toad brakes away, it is still traveling at some speed relative to the TV speed, and the total weight of the toad would not be applied to the cables, only the differential weight.
I like Chains! Cables can rot from the inside and never show any problem, they seem to like salt!
2008 Silverado D/A,CC 4x4 ,3.73,IBC LTZ+
2012 Jayco 322 FKS
2 Trek bikes
Honda EU2000i
It must be time to go, the suns out and I've got a full tank of diesel! Lifes short enough without bitch'n about it!
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