Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Safety chains length & mounting

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Safety chains length & mounting

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11730
Printed Date: 27 Jun 2025 at 2:06pm
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Topic: Safety chains length & mounting

Posted By: Markie
Subject: Safety chains length & mounting
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2018 at 7:43pm

Hi All,
I installed a weight distribution hitch to my 2015 Silverado. The original safety chains are rather short so I'm looking for suggestions on the best method to extend them.
Also while looking at the connection to the A-frame I noticed the chains are mounted with bolts through a thin piece of 1/8" steel. The bolt holes are within 1/2" of the edge of the steel adding to the problem. The connection doesn't look very substantial. Has anyone in the forum relocated or changed the mounting method? Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

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Mark & Vicki
R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L
Weimeraner "Zeke"

Replies:

Posted By: crankster78
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2018 at 8:58am

Greetings

You can buy grade 8 chain and couplers at any box store. They have a gold color to them. Also, the hooks are available. That's the high strength chain. Add large washers under the bolts holding the chain to the camper, if you are concerned about the mount.

Crankster78 R-179

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Crankster 78 R-179 2015

Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2018 at 10:09am

The connection isn't substantial at all. The bolts holding our chain to that strip ripped out completely when my wife had our 2016 179 one weekend. She even had to wrap the chains around one side of the A-frame to be legal coming home. When I remounted the chains, I drilled a horizontal hole all the way through the A-frame on each side and used Grade 9 bolts to attach the chains. They're not going anywhere now.

Fortunately, FR has started using a more robust connection in subsequent model years.

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Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats

Posted By: Markie
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2018 at 10:45am

Thanks for the response. Its odd I havent seen much on the forum on this subject. I'm on my way to the box store for some Grade 9 bolts and extra lengths of chain.

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Mark & Vicki
R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L
Weimeraner "Zeke"