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06-17-2016, 04:44 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Easier Connections for Safety Chains
I've found the stock 5/16" Clevis Hooks to be a real PITA when connecting to the hitch on my F150, mainly because they're quite thick (basically the same thickness as the slot in the thickest part) and the F150 uses angled slots with alot of metal around the edge. So, I added these Curt Threaded Links:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
One issue solved, but the stock Clevis Hooks also had a very weak gate that was easily bent or broken. I've had to bend the gates back into place several times with a pair of pliers, and replace or tighten the screws. So, While I was at it, replaced the stock hooks with some slightly skinnier Curt 1/4" Hooks with a stronger spring and riveted gate:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Now I won't be able to gripe about dinging up my knuckles when trying to remove the safety chains. 
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-17-2016, 05:42 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Olympia wa, Washington
Trailer: 5.0TA 2017
Posts: 2,255
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So you hook to the rings on the hitch? I always unscrew the ring things and attach the chains-hooking might be less work
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06-17-2016, 06:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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The links also work well if one finds their chains a bit short when changing TV's.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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06-17-2016, 06:45 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox hunt
So you hook to the rings on the hitch? I always unscrew the ring things and attach the chains-hooking might be less work
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Yes, it's much easier to leave the threaded links in place and just hook on and off. Although it's not necessary, I tightened the threaded links with a wrench so they are basically permanent. This gives me a nice hanging loop for the hooks, instead of the narrow diagonal slots I have to get down on the ground to see.
Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin
The links also work well if one finds their chains a bit short when changing TV's.
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Good point. In my case, the chains were now a bit too long, since the threaded links hang a bit lower than the slots. I just installed the new hooks one link shorter.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-18-2016, 02:46 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Olympia wa, Washington
Trailer: 5.0TA 2017
Posts: 2,255
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I will have to try that- I hate attaching the threaded loops
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06-18-2016, 02:52 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Olympia wa, Washington
Trailer: 5.0TA 2017
Posts: 2,255
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Ordered them!
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06-18-2016, 06:09 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Just make sure you get the correct capacity attaching rings and clevis hooks, they do vary.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-18-2016, 06:16 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,045
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
Just make sure you get the correct capacity attaching rings and clevis hooks, they do vary.
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Yes, some clevis hooks are more decorative than functional. Look at grade and capacity.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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06-18-2016, 08:13 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Jeromesville, Ohio
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21' pulled with 2014 Silverado Crewcab
Posts: 854
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The chain and clevis hooks on our 21' with the longer stinger of the Reese hitch was just a bit short. I added a stainless link between the clevis and the chain. Now it is perfect. The clevis hooks easily to the Silverado receiver. 
__________________
Carl,
"Isn't it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?"
Zig Ziglar
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06-18-2016, 10:18 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skiman
The chain and clevis hooks on our 21' with the longer stinger of the Reese hitch was just a bit short. I added a stainless link between the clevis and the chain. Now it is perfect. The clevis hooks easily to the Silverado receiver. |
Yeah, Chevy's design for the safety chain holes is better than Ford's IMHO. Vertical slots and they are also wider.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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