I wonder if the redesign was due to the fact that some engineer. wanted the safety hooks to actually survive and do their job, if a trailer unhooked. Either way they could have designed it better for ease of use.
I can see 50 different camera angles as I back my truck up yet I can't hook up a damn chain. Brilliant work. I also own a 2020 F250 and shared the same frustration.
WOW! What a neet design I sure need that design and am going to get a set. So wonderfull in thanking you for sharing - Now it will be a whole lot easier attaching my safety chains for my 29ft trailer to my 2008 F250 with a class 5 hitch. Thankyou for shareing. Cheers!
it shows what grade they are not the rating as you still have to look at the rating charts for the size. these are blue which shows G100 but not all companied use that colour for their G100 products (Gunnebo for example use a lime yellow colour for their products)
I did the hammer locks because you can get the correct weight range. If you take 1 inch heat shrink wrap you can keep it from making noise when driving
Ditto. That blue things looks like it would be noisy if left on all the time. Time consuming to take on and off if you didn't leave it on all the time.
@@WayneTX254 Surprisingly they're not. I have a pair of black G80 hammer locks on my '22 F250 and even w the all the window open (including the rear) you don't hear them at all.
And here's a great tip for you. Being that you have a F250, To help with keeping your Radiator and Condenser coil clean and bug free - Simply use a House hold screen that has its own frame and put it in front of your condensor coil. This in turn will keep the Bee's and the moths and all the flying insects out of your Coils and allow the air flow to be unabstructed and keep those coils from getting damaged . On a 2008 modle its easy to install but on yours I dont know how new your truck is. If your grill opens with the hood then it'll be easy - If your grill stays put as you open the hood youll have to remove the grill in order to install - But I found this idea from whom ever owned the truck before me did a great thing and saved my cooling system and Air conditioning . Every fall Its easy to clean for the next summer and wow I do catch a lot of Bugs. Hope this to you helps. Cheers...
Nice links and I do like the color. I am getting some just for decor on my truck...😁 Some people hang those naughty rubber things from theirs, but I will have hammer locks!! 😉😃
Here in Australia safety chains are attached to the vehicle using D shackles. Also we cross the chains over, like the left chain attached to the right side and visa versa with the other chain. That way if the trailer does come off the hitch, the trailer will not dig into the road.
should NOT use a "D" Shackle as they are designed for a straight line load only and if the trailer detaches the ball the first force it will get is on a downwards angle as the chain snatches tight to take the load, you should use either a Bow Shackle or Safety Bow Shackle which is deigned to take loads on an angle. i was a Chain and Rigging Certification Tech for 9 1/2 years.
@Account NumberEight wow, you think ford is the first one to use the plastic parts? Lol. Get a fucking clue. These have been in use for many auto manufacturers for years now. Millions and millions of vehicles with no issues.... Wake up....
You guys are awesome. I just started researching to overcome the hassle of clamping on the safety chains on a 2019 2500HD. I'm definitely buying based on your video. Thank you!
We use Hammer locks with cables on heavy lifting fixtures in aerospace/aircraft jig and fixture fabrication. Great product and at grade 100 their stronger than the grade 70 chain hook. Threaded pin Shackles would be another solution for those that don't want anything hanging on the truck. Threaded 3/8" carabiners are ok for lightweight trailers...not a heavy trailer. A 3/8" carabiner at 2200 lbs doesn't have the same strength as the 3/8 G70 safety chain.
Buy two Crosby brand shackles / clevises that have bolt, nut, and cotter pin. mount them in the same holes instead of using hammer locks and safety hooks fit like a charm. I trust them before i trust that pin in the hammer lock. Just my opinion
Synthetic soft shackles work great and eliminate the danger of flying metal objects. Plenty of videos showing the dangers of d rings or metal objects to bind 2 straps together. Be safe out there.
Ford changed the hitches because of people using incorrect safety chains. Now, you have to use an appropriate safety chain hook for the tow capacity. Yes, if you are towing something smaller, it is inconvenient. But when you approach the upper range of trailers, these force you to use the correct hooks. Grade 80 or 100 self locking hooks are the appropriate hook allowed now.
Hey, container links but smaller and a lot harder to use. The pins usually unlock and come out easily. I guess that's why they call them "hammer locks". Those are a pretty slick solution.
The hitch on my 2022 F450 is no longer like this. I hated the one on my 2017 F250 and I used hammerlocks however the hooks on my TT and enclosed trailer fit great on my new one
My only issue with these is the worry that they will wear through the receiver metal over time with all the rubbing and bouncing as they don't come off(like a tag on a dog collar) I ended up putting 3/4 bow shackles on mine. They don't move at all which makes me feel a bit better about preventing that, but I know the load rating is compromised because of the position they are in. Their rating is for 9,500lbs working(57,000lb breaking) load for each, so they are a bit overkill for the application anyway so I'm not worried.
So glad this helped! We noticed that there weren't any videos out there with details on how to install them so that inspired us to do it. Happy travels!
Hammerlocks are not ideal for this situation as there are sharp edges where they sit trough the attachment point and even though they are Grade100 they will with lots of vibration of the vehicle moving cause wear, they are not made to be taken apart regularly. i would suggest looking for Wide Mouth Bow Shackles of the correct rating so they can be removed in between use. (was good he showed they have a correct way to drive the pin as you damage and bind up the locking rings going the other way, you must also remove the pins that same direction or it will be very hard to get apart) the other device he showed with the screw gate is called a Maillon (some call them a Mallion) the whole area for hooking into is a very bad design and not suitable for most fittings you could use. it is better he has gone to G100 Hammerlocks rather then G80 as they will resist the vibration wear for longer. they also have a 6.7tn lift rating each. (they are officially called a Chain Joiner or Coupling Link as Hammerlock is a brand name from PWB Anchor but most people i ever met just called them a Hammerlock) i was a Chain and Rigging Certification Tech for 9 1/2 years.
Hi! Nice to hear from you! I hope you are doing well and staying healthy during these crazy times. Are you still on the road or have you hunkered down for a while?
This REALLY pisses me off! GM did the same thing. What the fuck were they thinking. They have literally millions of customers who use their trucks to pull trailers and suddenly the safety chains won't fit! I paid over $70K for my 2018 3500 HD GMC and then find I cannot pull my trailer with it.
Try putting the hook in the bottom then turn to come out of the hole in the back works like it was intended. it’s the best setup on the market and the safest on the market
Be careful to never use a tow hitch with its dog leg to get yourself pulled out of a boggy situation. I saw recently one snapped in half under the force of a snatch strap and it went through the wind screen and killed the driver of the bogged vehicle. There is a video of it here somewhere on YT.
Thanks, just what I was looking for, well now I know I was looking for this. I'm going to subscribe to your channel, you have not posted video's for awhile. hope you haven't given up, sometimes it take a bit to let people find you. Just like me today.
Greetings! Glad you found the video! No, we have not given up. Just taking a forced break from fulltiming for a while. We are getting antsy to get back on the road again!
lol run the chain in and out the hole then hook your quick link or you called locking oval. Not rated very high weight wise . The 80 and 100 are in reference to the chain rating 100 is an European chain 80 grade chain is heat treated made mostly for over head lifting . 100 grade is about 25% stronger . 70 grade chain in mostly for tie-down or for towing and DOT approved
Haven't had to remove them, but according to what we understand, the pin can be hammered through the lock. So they are not considered "permanent," although we don't plan on removing them, even if we sell the truck.
They are relatively easy to remove with the proper straight punch however when assembling I would use a little never-seize in the center barrel.. a little rust makes them a bear to remove.
No. A wood block will absorb too much energy of the hammer. A hefty metal block or sledge hammer behind it will not absorb shock and therefore all your hammer force will be directed into the pin and drive it through easily.
An engineer will tell you that leaving these (or any D or Bow shackle for that matter) swinging on the towbar will eventually provide a weak spot on the link. I guess half inch provides a significant safety factor, but I would keep an eye on wear
I just discovered this today on my Silverado 2500HD! Chevy! What were you thinking?? Towed my trailer home from storage without the safety chains on (luckily just a 20 min drive) Going to order the Hammerlocks. Thanks for making this video. Happy Travels!
We can do without the woman's voice and the attempt to be cute with the cat "saying" something. Just stick to business and stay with the install which was fairly good. Next question, how do you remove the hammer locks?
Can they be removed? Like say you change trucks. It looked like you had to really put some effort into pounding the pin in, It doesn't look like it's ever going to come out.
They are supposed to be removable by banging that pin all the way through. Haven't tried it and don't intend to, though. The "earrings" are staying with the truck!
Lol yes you can put safety hooks on. You need to be smarter then the hooks. The purpose for the new design is the extra strength. Since Ford up the hitch capacity they needed to up the safety hooks capacity
Yes, it is possible using a spike to continue driving the pin all the way through. Probably would not be fun, though! As an aside, we refer to these as the "truck earrings." Ok - not real macho, but that's what we call them. :-)
One should never use a carpenter's claw hammer to beat on hardened steel pins as the hammer head is also hardened and prone to chipping either the head or the pins and the bits of flying metal are an eye hazard, did you wear your safety glasses? Get a machinist's ball peen hammer and still use safety glasses please.
Make SURE your trailer safety chains CANNOT DRAG ! Twist the chains together to raise them up to stop the possibility of dragging. Dragging chains create SPARKS, which can create WILDFIRES/FOREST FIRES !!
![Don't De-rate Your Tow! How to Attach Chains When the Connection is Too Small [Ford Super Duty]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kNgcZI1yByc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Don't De-rate Your Tow! How to Attach Chains When the Connection is Too Small [Ford Super Duty]](/img/tr.png)
![일상 속 기분 좋음 [Proto disco meme]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DwmEIaZ7XGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
They are going to keep improving things until nothing works.
ford must have done a lot of market research to identify the shape that fits the fewest number of safety hook options
GM 3/4 ton has those too
Ford has a better idea. N o t.
@@danlux4954 GM had that problem in the past but not anymore I have 21 Chevy 2500 duramax and my safety chains ⛓ fit just fine.
I wonder if the redesign was due to the fact that some engineer. wanted the safety hooks to actually survive and do their job, if a trailer unhooked. Either way they could have designed it better for ease of use.
Whom ever designed that never towed anything. Just another desk jockey with a degree. No common sense.
I can see 50 different camera angles as I back my truck up yet I can't hook up a damn chain. Brilliant work.
I also own a 2020 F250 and shared the same frustration.
The hammer lock was an excellent choice for this application. The trucking industry has been using them for years
The chains should be crossed, so if you have a breakaway it will cradle the trailer hitch and won’t let it dig into e ground or pavement.
WOW! What a neet design I sure need that design and am going to get a set. So wonderfull in thanking you for sharing - Now it will be a whole lot easier attaching my safety chains for my 29ft trailer to my 2008 F250 with a class 5 hitch. Thankyou for shareing.
Cheers!
The reason for different colors is not for looking pretty, it's to help identify the group capacity rating at a glance.
it shows what grade they are not the rating as you still have to look at the rating charts for the size. these are blue which shows G100 but not all companied use that colour for their G100 products (Gunnebo for example use a lime yellow colour for their products)
I was taught to always cross my safety chains - something to think about.
Twisting works best
You twist the chains so if the trailer falls off the chains catch the tounge like a basket and keep the trailer centered
I did the hammer locks because you can get the correct weight range. If you take 1 inch heat shrink wrap you can keep it from making noise when driving
Your video was very helpful - I'm going to install mine tomorrow. Thanks for posting!
You are welcome! Glad we could help.
I just changed the hooks on the safety chains. With largest available from the local hardware store. Problem solved and for less money.
Ditto. That blue things looks like it would be noisy if left on all the time. Time consuming to take on and off if you didn't leave it on all the time.
Not cheaper if you have to do it to several trailers
@@WayneTX254 Surprisingly they're not. I have a pair of black G80 hammer locks on my '22 F250 and even w the all the window open (including the rear) you don't hear them at all.
If it ain’t broke, engineer it till it is!
And here's a great tip for you. Being that you have a F250, To help with keeping your Radiator and Condenser coil clean and bug free - Simply use a House hold screen that has its own frame and put it in front of your condensor coil. This in turn will keep the Bee's and the moths and all the flying insects out of your Coils and allow the air flow to be unabstructed and keep those coils from getting damaged . On a 2008 modle its easy to install but on yours I dont know how new your truck is. If your grill opens with the hood then it'll be easy - If your grill stays put as you open the hood youll have to remove the grill in order to install - But I found this idea from whom ever owned the truck before me did a great thing and saved my cooling system and Air conditioning . Every fall Its easy to clean for the next summer and wow I do catch a lot of Bugs. Hope this to you helps.
Cheers...
Nice links and I do like the color. I am getting some just for decor on my truck...😁 Some people hang those naughty rubber things from theirs, but I will have hammer locks!! 😉😃
Here in Australia safety chains are attached to the vehicle using D shackles. Also we cross the chains over, like the left chain attached to the right side and visa versa with the other chain. That way if the trailer does come off the hitch, the trailer will not dig into the road.
Chain crossing is done here as well. Thanks so much for your comment and enjoy your travels!
D shackles with screw in pins will loosen.
@@danlux4954
No they don’t. And they’re safer than hooks with spring latches
@@danlux4954never had one come loose.....ever. if it does, it wasn't tightened properly, I only do mine up hand tight and have never had an issue
should NOT use a "D" Shackle as they are designed for a straight line load only and if the trailer detaches the ball the first force it will get is on a downwards angle as the chain snatches tight to take the load, you should use either a Bow Shackle or Safety Bow Shackle which is deigned to take loads on an angle. i was a Chain and Rigging Certification Tech for 9 1/2 years.
Thank yaw so much. Ordered mine after watching. For my new/used 2020 F350.
Welcome!
Welcome to the club, nailed it exactly "Ford what where you thinking."
@Account NumberEight wow, you think ford is the first one to use the plastic parts? Lol. Get a fucking clue. These have been in use for many auto manufacturers for years now. Millions and millions of vehicles with no issues.... Wake up....
The trick to installing the pin is to put bigger hammer on the other side to act like an anvil
Thank you guys for putting this video together and sharing. I got a set but wasn't sure the best way to install it with the hammer.
You are welcome! Glad it helped!
You guys are awesome. I just started researching to overcome the hassle of clamping on the safety chains on a 2019 2500HD. I'm definitely buying based on your video. Thank you!
Thank you so much! Hope it's a good solution for you. Happy travels!
Great idea even the newer non super duty trucks have the same issue too
We use Hammer locks with cables on heavy lifting fixtures in aerospace/aircraft jig and fixture fabrication. Great product and at grade 100 their stronger than the grade 70 chain hook.
Threaded pin Shackles would be another solution for those that don't want anything hanging on the truck.
Threaded 3/8" carabiners are ok for lightweight trailers...not a heavy trailer. A 3/8" carabiner at 2200 lbs doesn't have the same strength as the 3/8 G70 safety chain.
I have no problem hooking up either of my 2 trailers to my truck without any other hardware.
Same seems to me like installer error more then anything
Buy two Crosby brand shackles / clevises that have bolt, nut, and cotter pin. mount them in the same holes instead of using hammer locks and safety hooks fit like a charm. I trust them before i trust that pin in the hammer lock. Just my opinion
These are Grade100 though, and you could probably pick up the whole trailer with one of them.
Recently discovered these when making straps to pull vehicles out of the sand. Much better than d-rings for permanent connections.
Synthetic soft shackles work great and eliminate the danger of flying metal objects. Plenty of videos showing the dangers of d rings or metal objects to bind 2 straps together. Be safe out there.
Thank you. I couldn’t figure out how that collar went on to secure it. No directions in the package.
You are welcome! That is exactly why this video was made. Marvin couldn't find directions, either, so he wanted to help others.
Ford changed the hitches because of people using incorrect safety chains. Now, you have to use an appropriate safety chain hook for the tow capacity. Yes, if you are towing something smaller, it is inconvenient. But when you approach the upper range of trailers, these force you to use the correct hooks. Grade 80 or 100 self locking hooks are the appropriate hook allowed now.
The manufacturer of the trailer puts them on.
You are a life saver
Thanks for the pointers!
Hey, container links but smaller and a lot harder to use. The pins usually unlock and come out easily. I guess that's why they call them "hammer locks". Those are a pretty slick solution.
Thank you guys
I forced the safety chain on and actually had to take it apart to get it off. I am currently using d-rings but will look into these hammer locks.
The hitch on my 2022 F450 is no longer like this. I hated the one on my 2017 F250 and I used hammerlocks however the hooks on my TT and enclosed trailer fit great on my new one
My only issue with these is the worry that they will wear through the receiver metal over time with all the rubbing and bouncing as they don't come off(like a tag on a dog collar)
I ended up putting 3/4 bow shackles on mine. They don't move at all which makes me feel a bit better about preventing that, but I know the load rating is compromised because of the position they are in. Their rating is for 9,500lbs working(57,000lb breaking) load for each, so they are a bit overkill for the application anyway so I'm not worried.
Glad I’m not the only one laying down cussing like a sailor, I questioned my intelligence.
I love to see Muricans Nackling with full tool kit.
Thanks a million, was going to throw away mine not knowing how to I stall them, headed out to the truck to install mine....cool blue like it
So glad this helped! We noticed that there weren't any videos out there with details on how to install them so that inspired us to do it. Happy travels!
I ordered mine from amazon and they arrived today. I have an F-350 with the same safety chain issues.
We love ours! So easy to use!
I have never had a problem putting hooks on my 17 F- 350 with the 3 inch hitch
My 2014 F-150 has this problem. Thanks
Hammerlocks are not ideal for this situation as there are sharp edges where they sit trough the attachment point and even though they are Grade100 they will with lots of vibration of the vehicle moving cause wear, they are not made to be taken apart regularly. i would suggest looking for Wide Mouth Bow Shackles of the correct rating so they can be removed in between use. (was good he showed they have a correct way to drive the pin as you damage and bind up the locking rings going the other way, you must also remove the pins that same direction or it will be very hard to get apart) the other device he showed with the screw gate is called a Maillon (some call them a Mallion) the whole area for hooking into is a very bad design and not suitable for most fittings you could use. it is better he has gone to G100 Hammerlocks rather then G80 as they will resist the vibration wear for longer. they also have a 6.7tn lift rating each. (they are officially called a Chain Joiner or Coupling Link as Hammerlock is a brand name from PWB Anchor but most people i ever met just called them a Hammerlock) i was a Chain and Rigging Certification Tech for 9 1/2 years.
very useful video thank you
Camped next to y’all days before Pandemic at Thousand Trails in Texas
Hi! Nice to hear from you! I hope you are doing well and staying healthy during these crazy times. Are you still on the road or have you hunkered down for a while?
And hows the rattling?
A bungee hooking them together may help some, with or without the rig.
We don't hear any rattling. Wondered about that when we first installed them, but has not been an issue.
This REALLY pisses me off! GM did the same thing. What the fuck were they thinking. They have literally millions of customers who use their trucks to pull trailers and suddenly the safety chains won't fit! I paid over $70K for my 2018 3500 HD GMC and then find I cannot pull my trailer with it.
Bow , D shackle ,would do as well
Lol....great work around!
That 1/2" screw link is rated more like 3,300 lbs not 10,000
Try putting the hook in the bottom then turn to come out of the hole in the back works like it was intended. it’s the best setup on the market and the safest on the market
Be careful to never use a tow hitch with its dog leg to get yourself pulled out of a boggy situation. I saw recently one snapped in half under the force of a snatch strap and it went through the wind screen and killed the driver of the bogged vehicle. There is a video of it here somewhere on YT.
Replace the chain hook,done!
Thanks for showing me how to install these!
Happy to help!
Thanks, just what I was looking for, well now I know I was looking for this. I'm going to subscribe to your channel, you have not posted video's
for awhile. hope you haven't given up, sometimes it take a bit to let people find you. Just like me today.
Greetings! Glad you found the video! No, we have not given up. Just taking a forced break from fulltiming for a while. We are getting antsy to get back on the road again!
Don’t have a problem with any of my trailers. These are hd trucks for towing larger trailers.
lol run the chain in and out the hole then hook your quick link or you called locking oval. Not rated very high weight wise . The 80 and 100 are in reference to the chain rating 100 is an European chain 80 grade chain is heat treated made mostly for over head lifting . 100 grade is about 25% stronger . 70 grade chain in mostly for tie-down or for towing and DOT approved
A permanent solution to the problem would design it right all the money we pay these vehicles and you have to do your own engineering
Very interesting
Looks like a D ring would be an easier solution
Are you able to remove them, or is it considered a permanent installation?
Haven't had to remove them, but according to what we understand, the pin can be hammered through the lock. So they are not considered "permanent," although we don't plan on removing them, even if we sell the truck.
They are relatively easy to remove with the proper straight punch however when assembling I would use a little never-seize in the center barrel.. a little rust makes them a bear to remove.
What if you put a wood block behind it when hammering the pin in?
No. A wood block will absorb too much energy of the hammer. A hefty metal block or sledge hammer behind it will not absorb shock and therefore all your hammer force will be directed into the pin and drive it through easily.
An engineer will tell you that leaving these (or any D or Bow shackle for that matter) swinging on the towbar will eventually provide a weak spot on the link. I guess half inch provides a significant safety factor, but I would keep an eye on wear
another case of engineers fixing things that ain't broke.
Would a large enough shackle do the same thing?
Need to make sure whatever you use can handle and is rated for the weight of whatever it is you're towing.
Why not just use a clevis?
I just discovered this today on my Silverado 2500HD! Chevy! What were you thinking?? Towed my trailer home from storage without the safety chains on (luckily just a 20 min drive) Going to order the Hammerlocks. Thanks for making this video. Happy Travels!
Thanks! Glad this information was helpful!
You didn't try putting them in sideways did you. Standard safety chains work perfectly fine on those, just learn how to use it
The colors represent the load capacity
You needed a heavier hammer to knock the pin in
That's known as a "Ford Wrench" to most Ford guys,
Same thing happened to me, seriously ford what gives?
Thanks for posting
Reasons why i own a welder
Now you have to listen to them rattle when you drive ..
New follower here. I have a Chevy HD2500 with the exact same issue. Great channel, we are trying to grow our channel as well.
Do you have a Link?
Yes, the link is in the description below the video.
Is it DOT approved?
Marvin did look this up when he was researching and did find that they are DOT approved. The color of the link corresponds with weight ratings.
And now without a trailer your Ford will rattle like a Chevy!
why not just buy d rings?
My 2016 is different so I believe you are correct that the 2017 plus have the new one. I noticed some poor welds and fitment on your hitch also
Its Ford. What did you expect
They made them bigger in 18 or 19
..or you could simply use a slightly longer chain and hook it through the holes and into itself
Ford has lost it’s marbles on a lot of dumb things.
What else?
Another part to rattle.
Criss cross your safety chains
We can do without the woman's voice and the attempt to be cute with the cat "saying" something. Just stick to business and stay with the install which was fairly good. Next question, how do you remove the hammer locks?
Worse on my F150 2020. Can’t see to hook.
Can they be removed? Like say you change trucks. It looked like you had to really put some effort into pounding the pin in, It doesn't look like it's ever going to come out.
Are those hammerlocks permanently on after you bang that pin in. I’d like to use them but they are god awful ugly when not in use
They are supposed to be removable by banging that pin all the way through. Haven't tried it and don't intend to, though. The "earrings" are staying with the truck!
Lol yes you can put safety hooks on. You need to be smarter then the hooks. The purpose for the new design is the extra strength. Since Ford up the hitch capacity they needed to up the safety hooks capacity
A Grinder or a Cutting Torch would be my fix.
That basically de-rates your entire tow system.
It is called trailer safety chains.............
Use a large c clamp
Weld a couple eyes on it.
can you get them off?
Yes, it is possible using a spike to continue driving the pin all the way through. Probably would not be fun, though! As an aside, we refer to these as the "truck earrings." Ok - not real macho, but that's what we call them. :-)
I wondered this question myself to reduce possibility of theft.
It sounds like it is a pain in the behind and not worth stealing. :)
One should never use a carpenter's claw hammer to beat on hardened steel pins as the hammer head is also hardened and prone to chipping either the head or the pins and the bits of flying metal are an eye hazard, did you wear your safety glasses? Get a machinist's ball peen hammer and still use safety glasses please.
Make SURE your trailer safety chains CANNOT DRAG ! Twist the chains together to raise them up to stop the possibility of dragging.
Dragging chains create SPARKS, which can create WILDFIRES/FOREST FIRES !!
Way before the chance of a fire. The links will damage to the point of failure.
I believe I would grind that hole out
Don't know who designs their hitch mounts but they need a beating. (Kiss) keep it simple stupid!!!🤯
Use a clevis
Ford didn’t make the hitch