Hooking your tow vehicle to the T@B

Cat_913
Cat_913 Member Posts: 56
edited September 2015 in Tips & Tricks
How do you know that the receiver and ball are seated correctly? I have been told that it will pop or snap together but mine does neither and I am afraid it isn't correct and it will come loose on the highway at 65 mph. I have jumped on it, hammered on it and nothing seems to work, Am I missing something here?

Comments

  • wizard1880
    wizard1880 Member Posts: 442
    If yours is the same as my 2014, if the jaw can be locked down in place with the pin, you're good to go. The pin only fits in when the jaw is fully closed. If the ball seems to be in place and the tongue jack fully up, and you're certain you're using a 2" ball, then you're all set. Just chain up!
    T@@bulous
    2014 T@B CS Maxx
    TV: 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (diesel)
    Martha Lake, WA
  • bgualtieri
    bgualtieri Member Posts: 272
    Yes - what wizard said. The same with my 2015 T@b. If the lock pin, the same one that holds the jockey wheel, will go through the two holes, one on either side of that receiver, it's on and won't move. I always slide it towards me so I'm sure the loop on the end is over it and it can't fall backwards out.
    2015 T@b S Max | 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited | was PHX East Valley, now Dallas!
  • bgualtieri
    bgualtieri Member Posts: 272
    There's a picture of the lock pin here that Radren posted. I don't run the electric cable through like he did but it does show the pin in place

    http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/12116/#Comment_12116
    2015 T@b S Max | 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited | was PHX East Valley, now Dallas!
  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    I got this item from Camping World for my chains - it was inexpensive.

    Chain-up single ball mount
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD1vzJTr_0s





    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    I let them drag - I like the sparks. So pretty at night.
  • Cat_913
    Cat_913 Member Posts: 56
    Then I am doing it right, I was hoping that when the jaw was locked all was good but wasn't sure. Well thats one less thing to worry about. Mickietucs, I think I will get one of those chain-ups, I don't like having to twist the chain it looks bad. PXLated, the problem with the sparks is you cant see them while driving, what good is that?
  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    I have a GoPro mounted under the hitch so I can play the movies over and over and over - different roadways produce different colors :-)
  • mash2
    mash2 Member Posts: 584
    I just use a bungee cord hooked to the chain on both sides....
  • BBchBum
    BBchBum Member Posts: 100
    PXL - you can make a youtube video of sparks across the US  ;-)
  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    I should, maybe a series. But I'm out in the boonies a lot and the dirt roads just don't kick up the sparks that impress so the episodes would have to be spaced out - maybe one a month.
  • RZRBUG
    RZRBUG Member Posts: 890

    To double-check, you can lower the tongue jack after you're all hitched up until the bumper starts to lift a bit.  If it doesn't pop off, then you're good to go.  No need to overdo it.  Just enough to make sure you're seated well.  I did this a couple of times after I first started towing until I felt comfortable that it was actually the ball was actually being seated well.  Don't do it any more, but I sometimes feel underneath to be sure the mechanism has grabbed the ball.

    BTW, I have seen some of those sparks going down the highway.  One time they were being made because the poor guy had failed to raise his jack.

    Larry & Booger - 2013 T@B, 2012 GMC Sierra

    Happy Trails Y'all

    States Visited Map

  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    I twist my chains up and attach them to the receiver rings.  That solves any rubbing issues and eliminates any worries therein.   ;)
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,424
    Michigan_Mike said:
    I twist my chains up and attach them to the receiver rings.  That solves any rubbing issues and eliminates any worries therein.   ;)
    Mike, I do the same. The video claims it can weaken the chains ad could be illegal. Anyone aware of the validity of those claims?

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    edited September 2015
    The other thing I've done is to use heavy duty zip ties to shorten the tow chains some and get them up and off the roadway.  That works well and is effective.
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Bungie Balls - Work like a champ.

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