What size tow hook should I get?

[goalie39]

I use these Curt 81277 Snap Hooks, and they're great. Real easy to hook and unhook, rated for 5000lbs. Comes in some other sizes too.



https://www.walmart.com/ip/CURT-8127...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[computerspook]

frankly they are massively more than you need. OK much better than under rated. But they really would be kind of hard to use.

When I needed to update the hooks on my 16 foot scamp I just looked around and quickly found these at menards. Lowes and Home Dept sell the same general thing. Here we have the chains and the right and easy to use hooks. And this is still over rated for a Scamp. And for $12 buck I get a brand new chain and the right easy to use hooks.

Now the ones you are looking at may or may not work with your TV. But they will not work with some and what happens if you need to have a buddy move your scamp for you. These would work with virtually all TVs.

As for what I would then do with a different hitch setup on a TV that needed different length chains? I would just spend another $12 ;-)

[schrome]

Originally Posted by AlanKilian

Yeah, I need to shorten the chains a few links now that I have a different tow vehicle, so I thought I'd get the hooks with a pin for the chain-end and I can cut a link at the right place using a Dremel cutoff wheel and pin-on the new hooks.

I HOPE! I've never done anything like this before, so I'm going on "Internet wisdom" here.

You can also twist the chains to make them shorter...

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by schrome

You can also twist the chains to make them shorter...

From previous discussion; this is not recommended.

Do not twist chains to shorten them, it greatly weakens the chain in the event of stress on it. https://mechanicalelements.com/twisting-safety-chains/ and a video, https://youtu.be/clj42no4DxY

If you need to shorten the chain, what I did is use a double clevis that is G70 rated at least equal to the chain, https://www.thetrailershoppe.com/pro...roved-4700-wll

[parmm]

Originally Posted by schrome

You can also twist the chains to make them shorter...

You can do anything you want. But doing "anything" isn't always recommended!

[Bob Durrstein]

Shorten any tow chain to the proper length y twisting it! As long as they allow turning, the shorter the better. If the trailer comes adrift from the hitch, the chains serve to hold the trailer in position for you to slow and stop The more slack in the chains, the greater the shock in speed difference between the car and trailer and the more sway the trailer has available to make the entire process more risky. This technique allows you to adopt your chains to any hitch and trailer combination.


Hooking up the chains may be counter-intuitive to some. I hook them to the tow vehicle by turning the hook with the open side up and then hooking through the tow vehicle from the bottom. Why> If the trailer comes adrift, then the chains will not bounce off when the trailer comes under the tow vehicle, Just hooking them on from the top may let the chains bounce off from the shock as the chain tightens and slackens,


If the trailer does come adrift, slow steadily and the chains will keep the trailer centered under the tow vehicle. Avoid any acceleration if possible. Shortest chains will give the trailer the least leverage on the handling of the tow vehicle.

[Glenn Baglo]

I figure the manufacturer of safety chains should know if you should twist chain and they say: "NEVER twist trailer safety chains. Zip ties are a safe and effective way to shorten a trailer chain by gathering the excess links".


https://lacledechain.com/blog/traile...n-quick-facts/

[THene1713]

Originally Posted by AlanKilian

I have those "S" hooks on my chains and I'd like to do two things:
1) Replace the hooks with ones that include a safety clip.
2) Shorten the chains so they make a proper cradle when crossed.

I haven't been able to find a document online that shows the dimensions of towing hooks like this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Safety-L...88&sr=8-9&th=1

My chain is 0.31 Inch (5/16" ???)in thickness, and my car has 1.0 Inch diameter holes for the hooks.

Will these hooks fit?

(Ref: 1977 13-foot Scamp)

TRY These instead? https://www.amazon.com/Carry-Trailer..._t3_B0137O4VVE

or THESE? https://www.amazon.com/CURT-80136-Ny...04QEJ6C4&psc=1

[Wayne Collins]

[QUOTE=Bob Durrstein;819221"]Shorten any tow chain to the proper length y twisting it!" NEVER TWIST A CHAIN. See other notes why.