F250 hitch and safety chains

[jamaddox]

I just upgraded my truck to a 2017 F250 and discovered that I can't fit my quick links through the chain points because of the width of the metal. I purchased some 3/4 inch shackles but they barely fit. Can anyone make any suggestions. Here is a picture of the holes

Here is a picture of the shackle


And here is a picture of it on the truck


Because of the way the hole is I can not get the shackle in any differently. Will this be okay or is there some other way to do this


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[2nOZ]

This is what I did to my F250. Looks the same and works well.

[Sundancer330]

Looks like that should be plenty strong. Here is another picture running the pin horizontal.

[jamaddox]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

Looks like that should be plenty strong. Here is another picture running the pin horizontal.

Thanks

[Donedroolin]

I have the same problem with a 2017 F250 purchased and I also used the shackles. I wish they did not make the receiver 2 1/2 inch also. Understand its stronger but you can also make the 2 inch stronger. I have been towing awhile and I don't know anyone that uses 2 1/2. Wonder if they did it because chevy did it. They should have designed the hitch more user friendly. With thicker steel instead of how the design is. It is difficult to use.

[Marcm157]

I'm pretty sure the class V hitch has a 2 1/2 inch opening which in most cases is reduced with a sleeve. My 2016 F250 has a sleeve welded in place permanently from the factory. I would have preferred the option to reduce myself and not have it permanent...

[oldmanAZ]

Have you tried 3/8" diameter (load limit of 2,200 lbs.) quick links? They are less bulky. (They make 1/2", too, and maybe even larger if you search.)

I use 2 on each side to make my safety chains longer for my extended hitch shank.

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Have you tried 3/8" diameter (load limit of 2,200 lbs.) quick links? They are less bulky. (They make 1/2", too, and maybe even larger if you search.)
I
I use 2 on each side to make my safety chains longer for my extended hitch shank.

I do the same thing....

[jamaddox]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Have you tried 3/8" diameter (load limit of 2,200 lbs.) quick links? They are less bulky. (They make 1/2", too, and maybe even larger if you search.)

I use 2 on each side to make my safety chains longer for my extended hitch shank.

My understanding of the safety chain setup is that each chain should be able to support the weight of the trailer. My trailer has max wt of 7500 lbs, thus using 3/4 inch shackle

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by jamaddox

My understanding of the safety chain setup is that each chain should be able to support the weight of the trailer. My trailer has max wt of 7500 lbs, thus using 3/4 inch shackle

States vary, but I found this for the feds...
US DOT
"Question 2: When two safety chains are used, must the ultimate combined breaking strength of each chain be equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicle(s) or would the requirements be met if the combined breaking strength of the two chains is equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicle(s)? Guidance: If the ultimate combined breaking strength of the two chains is equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicle(s), the requirements of §393.70(d) are satisfied. It should be noted that some States may have more stringent requirements for safety chains."

My wording was a little weird. Sorry. The 3/8" is rated at 2,200lbs, but they make other sizes and some are made from stainless steel. I didn't mean to say that the 3/8" is rated at 2,200lbs what you should use, just that there might be another approach.

BTW, when I was delivering commercially, my vehicle and hitch was through countless weigh stations and a few DOT inspections and nothing was ever said about the safety chains.

[2nOZ]

Originally Posted by Donedroolin

I have the same problem with a 2017 F250 purchased and I also used the shackles. I have been towing awhile and I don't know anyone that uses 2 1/2.

I use the 2 1/2 inch receiver. My Andersen hitch uses the 2 1/2 inch shank to reduce the "slop" between the 2" shank and reducer.

[Explorer03]

I have a 2015 F250 which has the 2.5" receiver. It came with the reducer sleeve to make it a 2". I opted to remove the reducer and use the 2.5 inch receiver. Since I had to upgrade my WDH for the new trailer I just contacted Equalizer and they sold the 2.5 inch shank.

[Marcm157]

How much "Slop" is there with the 2 1/2 inch shank from Equalizer? My F250 has the sleeve welded in place so I am using their 2 inch shank.

[Explorer03]

I have very little to no slop with my 2.5" shank from Equalizer. Granted it does weigh a lot more, but I felt it was worth the extra weight and cost.

[jamaddox]

Originally Posted by Explorer03

I have a 2015 F250 which has the 2.5" receiver. It came with the reducer sleeve to make it a 2". I opted to remove the reducer and use the 2.5 inch receiver. Since I had to upgrade my WDH for the new trailer I just contacted Equalizer and they sold the 2.5 inch shank.

That would work but I would still need the reducer for my boat as I could not find the shank in that size at the stores I was looking at. I will try the reducer a while and see what happens.

[jamaddox]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

States vary, but I found this for the feds...
US DOT
"Question 2: When two safety chains are used, must the ultimate combined breaking strength of each chain be equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicle(s) or would the requirements be met if the combined breaking strength of the two chains is equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicle(s)? Guidance: If the ultimate combined breaking strength of the two chains is equal to the gross weight of the towed vehicle(s), the requirements of §393.70(d) are satisfied. It should be noted that some States may have more stringent requirements for safety chains."

My wording was a little weird. Sorry. The 3/8" is rated at 2,200lbs, but they make other sizes and some are made from stainless steel. I didn't mean to say that the 3/8" is rated at 2,200lbs what you should use, just that there might be another approach.

BTW, when I was delivering commercially, my vehicle and hitch was through countless weigh stations and a few DOT inspections and nothing was ever said about the safety chains.

Thank you for the above info. It helps a lot. I still think I may have to go the shackle route because the width of the bottom part of the hitch but I now know I have a size choice. I already bought the 3/4 inch shackles so I guess I will stick with them.

I will say it is disappointing no one inspected your chains as that is an important safety item

[jamaddox]

I think I may have to go half inch shackle because the hooks on the chains for my 27 DSRL won't hook because of the size


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[jamaddox]

Got my problem sort of solved. I bought 1/2 inch shackles on amazon that will work for the truck




But the problem is when I try to attach my trailer chains the keeper is too long. I can try to shorten the keeper or attach a 1/2 inch quick link






If the trailer chains end up being too long I can shorten them without too much effort. One thing to consider for me is that I have a boat and the safety chain S hook for it won't fit the 1/2 inch shackle so I might have to use it either way. So now the hard (possibly meaningless question) should I hook them to the truck with the loop up or down. Either way the steel is just as thick.

For those who are wondering why the difference in thickness between the shackles and the quick link given they are both half inch. I bought them with extra weight capacity because they were what I could find in the half inch size that met my criteria.

[Artsville]

Any update on this subject? I just purchased a 2018 F250 and my safety chain holes on the hitch are really small. I will be test fitting the hitch and chains this weekend. I'm almost at 1000 miles so camper is gonna come alive shortly.

For those with shackles don't they make a bunch of noise banging around?

thanks team

[Artsville]

Ok I just test fitted the new truck. I have 1/4” safety hooks with the clasp. I can confirm these fit in the smaller F250 holes. No issues.

The truck hitch however sits too high compared to old setup. I need to adjust.

Art