Safety Chains Not Long Enough

[trhoton]

Well. got the Husky part # 32215 WD Hitch with integrated sway control 400 to 600 tongue weight. Finally came in. The head assembly was missing. Amazon shipped another hitch and have you know it. one of the spring bars was missing. Luckily the 1st one they sent me had both bars; so i just used one from that box. Got it all put together and backed up to our new 174bh and the safety chains are not long enough. I know i really don't need this set up; i am pulling the 174bh with 14 Ford 150 5.0. Should i call it quits; ship the hitch back since i have had so much trouble; and go to the old fashion friction bar for sway control? I really didn't want to drill holes in the frame on our brand new camper. I forgot to check the 7point plug; it may even be too short as well. Any safe suggestions?

[oldmanAZ]

I have a very long shank and have 2 quick links on both sides to get the safety chains connected.

Like these http://www.amazon.com/SecureLine-703...=sr_1_9&sr=8-9

but I don't recall the diameter just now.

EDIT: Thanks, Jhowemca... I forgot to include the strength issue.

[Jhowemca]

Don't just use any quick link.
Make sure they are weight rated correctly for your trailer.

[Fire_Instructor]

On my previous TT, I had a long shank on my WD hitch to give me a bit more turning radius for backing into tight spaces... I also had to lengthen my chains. A local company that sets up tow trucks helped me identify and order the links that I needed. Cost me only about $30 to complete...

[tslarson]

I did the same as oldmanAZ, I just had to add one link. They are permanently attached to my truck, just dangling from the chain attaching holes. I think this is a pretty common problem when using a WD hitch.

[Seann45]

Warning to reduce sway you want the shortest shank possible.. the closer the ball is to the rear axle the better. Just add a few links to the chain not a big problem.. and if the 7 pin is too short you can add an extension.. I had to do both with my Hensley Arrow.

[BCK]

Lots of comments on here about short chains on the Fords and seems to be a fairly common issue. The connection point for safety chains on the factory hitches seems to be set back farther on the F150 than on other trucks. The chains on my boat trailer and last tt both fit on my RAM1500 but were a couple links short on my F150.

X2 on the comments about ensuring proper weight ratings for extra links.

[trhoton]

The quick links i have found online are rated for 10k lbs but also say safe working load is only 3k lbs. Maybe because of the trheads not holding the pressure? What if one just got 2 more S hooks and couple links of chain rated the same as the ones on the travel trailer already.attach to the extra S hooks and couple chain links to truck; then attach the S hooks from the chains on the travel trailer? The have the spring clips the keep from coming loose from the links that would hang from the truck?

[Edd505]

Go to any hardware and ask for double clevis pins or a shackle. They are used all the time for chain repair, chain connections, winching etc.

[trhoton]

Thanks for the info/tips; i may see what quick links i can find in hardware store instead on online. However i may just forget tyring to use a WD set up all together. Husky has replied to an email i previously sent and now saying the model 32215 may not be compatible with the 3in frame the 174bh has.

[Fire&Ice]

I don't use a WDH with my 174BH just a friction bar. Towing with 1500Ram