Trailer safety chain hooks and F150

[RonRN18]

I am having issues with connecting and disconnecting the safety chain hooks to the hitch mount of my 2016 F150 truck. It is very difficult to get just the proper angle to get them hooked. The gauge of the steel of the hitch mount holes, the size of the holes and the thickness of the hooks makes this very difficult. Has anyone else had a similar issue? Is there some type of fix that is safe to make connecting and disconnecting the safety chains easier?

[fdwt994]

D.E.Bishop wrote:

cavie wrote:
buy 2 Threaded carabiners/link extensions from you local Hardware store

X2. I installed the threaded chain links and applied some red loctite to the threads. Seems that folks like them and some are too cheap to pay $5 or so in the store. Now it's real easy to hook and unhook the safety catch hooks on my safety cables.

I saw these at the local home improvement store, but none that seemed to have the weight / strength capacity of the chain itself. I'm willing to bet some folks are attaching these type of chain links and instantly reducing the strength of their chain.

[OleManOleCan]

RonRN18 wrote:
I am having issues with connecting and disconnecting the safety chain hooks to the hitch mount of my 2016 F150 truck. It is very difficult to get just the proper angle to get them hooked. The gauge of the steel of the hitch mount holes, the size of the holes and the thickness of the hooks makes this very difficult. Has anyone else had a similar issue? Is there some type of fix that is safe to make connecting and disconnecting the safety chains easier?

I put a couple of steel links in ours. They are a little longer, and easier to hook up.
CROSS YOUR CHAINS WHEN YOU TOW.

[Boomerweps]

Looking forward to not using the shackles on my new F150. The F150 uses plate steel for the safety chain loops. My Explorer used tightly curved, very thick, round stock for the chain loops.

[CavemanCharlie]

rrupert wrote:
I had this problem on my 2012 F150 until I learned to put them on correctly. Point the hook end up and pull it through the loop from front to back, or towards you. Works slick as a whistle. Taking off is just as easy.

Ya, this is what I do on my 2011 F150 as well

[D_E_Bishop]

I think what they are really talking about are threaded links. I googled threaded links and got quick links and caribiner. All correct I guess.

[dodge_guy]

I agree. I wouldn’t trust any caribiners no matter their rating. Larger hooks are the simplest and safest way to go!

[Huntindog]

What are the carbiners you guys are using rated for?

I have never seen any that come even close to what I would need.

Larger hooks did it for me on my dually.

[AmericalVette]

I got these for my F350 due to the same issue. These are also available at some of the "big-box" hardware stores, Tractor Supply, etc. https://www.bulletproofhitches.com/products/5-8-channel-shackle-for-safety-chains?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-IOOxpL24QIVR77ACh2s2AMmEAQYAiABEgKEJ_D_BwE

[BarabooBob]

(I also had a problem with my F150. As someone suggested, I laid on the ground and looked at the best way to hook up to the hitch. After doing that and showing my wife how they fit, we both can hook them up without looking.

[rrupert]

I had this problem on my 2012 F150 until I learned to put them on correctly. Point the hook end up and pull it through the loop from front to back, or towards you. Works slick as a whistle. Taking off is just as easy.

[Boomerweps]

I use shackles on my Ford Explorer factory hitch. The factory chain loops are too thick for my TT safety chain hooks. Change angle, top or bottom, doesn’t matter. I had to hammer them on leaving the dealer and hammer them off at home. If you look at the hitches on pickups while at stop lights, you’ll see many with shackles or chain loops left attached.

[Jebby14]

I have large threaded caribeaners on my chains. no problems now.

[D_E_Bishop]

Sorry, it took so long for my first post, I gave up and reposted.

[D_E_Bishop]

cavie wrote:
buy 2 Threaded carabiners/link extensions from you local Hardware store

X2. I installed the threaded chain links and applied some red loctite to the threads. Seems that folks like them and some are too cheap to pay $5 or so in the store. Now it's real easy to hook and unhook the safety catch hooks on my safety cables.