Anyone ever broken a trailer hitch or ball?

[lug nut]

I do quite a bit of off roading, and we never use chains to pull a vehicle out. We use tow straps that won't kill or hurt anyone if and when they break.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Don't say a tow strap will not kill anyone. I have a friend who lost a leg to a tow strap when it snapped. I agree they are much safer but if you are in its path you are going to lose. One thing a old farmer buddy told me is to drape a heavy blanket over the chain/strap mid span. It slows down the recoil some if it snaps. In a pinch I have used a jacket or even floor mats out of the truck.

Chris

 

[lug nut]

Sorry to hear about your friend, Chris.

When we are winching, we usually put a jacket or blanket on the winch cable just in case. It pays to be careful when putting thousands of pounds of force on something like a winch cable or tow strap.

 

[mopacman]

I pulled a ball mount into when pulling on to the interstate. It was a 2 in tube with 1/2 in plate welded on. The weld held but the tube pulled into next to the weld now I use a one piece forged ball mount.......Larry