My trailer has a welded hook right where my hitch Andersen WDH bracket should go. It takes up about 4" of the hitch. So, either I go short or longer. At its current position, the mount it less than the recommended 28-29" to the center of the ball.

I would like to extend the chains, but balk a little at $45 + ship for 2 6" chains and links, especially when what parts they use just for some pieces of the hitch looks like over the counter stuff(the chain itself appears nice and well welded)

Can anyone recommend a DIY extension or should I just suck it up and buy factory? The chain I feel confident in its strength, but the link will be hard to proof for a rating

 

Don't be cheap....buy factory.

Seriously....you're talking about $45+ shipping in needed pieces for your hitch that links your Platinum ($50k+?) truck to your trailer for recreation.

 

I only paid $27k for mine (used), but I'm willing to spend 1/27th of that to get proper towing gear. I want my truck to depreciate with time, not by being jack-knifed or flipped by my trailer.

 

Looked a little harder on their website. Found the info in their FAQ. It's almost like they wanted people to know!!

Per Andersen's website, Grade 30 3/8" zinc plated chain with 2,650 working load and 4x breaking strength.

I believe I can find readily available chain and connectors that meet and exceed these specs for much cheaper than the $65 they want to ship 2 sections of 6 links of chain

 

Any hardware store. The trailer supplier does not have an exclusive on 3/8" zinc plated chain. And the assumption that your trailer will get wrecked because you didn't buy common chain from the trailer supplier is laughable. Where do you think they get it from? They certainly do not forge it themselves.

 

That is my point.

I thought it was laughable as well to pay $65 for factory, but I did not know the ratings on the chain. In fact, I expected the chain to be stronger than grade 30.

Now that I know, well... that changes things. When the manufacturer actually lists it, you kinda have to know that they expect you to make your own.

Chain ain't rocket surgery!!

I really expected that someone on a website based on the F150 with so many members that modify their ride would come back with useful info other than... Oh no, you have to buy factory!

 

It's also almost as if they want you to be able to source chain locally with ease. Grade 30 is the strongest most chain hardware stores stock. Check the chain, though, non-grade chain for decoration only is common.