I've owned 9 bass boats and seen about everything towing, well over 1/2 million miles.   Last week, going to lake, I hit a dip/low spot in the highway and the boat came unhitched.   When I got it stopped, the cables were stretched quite a bit and the trailer was maybe 3' behind the truck and dragging on the ground.   The e-brake cable had snapped it was so stretched.   That's not supposed to happen!   It's supposed to manually lock up the trailer brakes to facilitate a quicker stop.   Chains usually support the tongue in that situation.  These cables are coiled type and stretchy.

Ranger only offers one length coiled cable set(54"), and I'm wondering if I need to make some sort of permanent adjustments here?   I can go to chains or add a safety chain to limit fall back.   I can install some sort of support under the tongue to support and guide the cables and help elevate it.   I can crisscross the cables, like chains, but doesn't change the length much and likely to tangle.   I've crisscross chains but never cables.   There's no guidance in the manual.   The brake book only calls for chains crossing, cables aren't even mentioned.

I changed out the hitch, ball is probably worn after 10 years, put in a new different style closure brake actuator assy. rather than repair the e-brake cable.   I changed actuator last summer, after it failed, and replaced with the same one that came with it.   They only used that style a few years, and I don't like that type.   I like the old A60, with the flip cap, the one I've used the most and that's what I put back in.   I recall one year they changed to the stamped style, I had issues with it closing, and I put back an A60 and never had any more issues.

I'm going to use a pin w/ lock, instead of the detent pin, and keep it in the truck when unlocked, so I'll know it's on there or not, if I see it in the truck or not.   I've never had any problem with the A60s coming loose and they survived wrecks intact.   

Any comments, suggestions, or preferences chains v cables?    

Chains! 

I vote chains all day, every day

and twice on Sunday.

I also go Master Pad lock on the hitch to ball.  I do not trust a simple cotter pin.

Not as a theft deterient as it's pretty easy to cut off.  But unless it is, it's not coming off there while traveling down the road. 

😃

A-Jay

Chains on Monday, Chains on Sunday, Chains on everyday in between....

12 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I also go Master Pad lock on the hitch to ball.

I also use a Master pair - one on the coupler/hitch ball connection and one on the Truck/coupler connection.

Chains for sure. 

Chains, always crossed, and length adjustable for various hitches by twisting.

Chains......all the way. Crossed over all the time. Only way to go.  took my cables off when I got my boat.....never looked back...didn't have to, I knew it was secure.

I like and use cables.  I also cross them to keep the tongue up in case of an emergency.

Had a boat come off once, granted a light weight boat, but the chains from the Truman administration did not snap like I hear about cables doing 

I have cables on my Ranger trailer that came standard.  I've never really considered this subject though.  I've seen lots of trailers with chains, and lots with cables.

 

I've never had a hitch come off either so I can't comment on any personal experience that the OP is speaking of.  The hitch coming off of the ball doesn't seem possible to me if you latch it properly, but I'm sure its happened before to plenty of people out there.

 

As far as locks, I use both a hitch lock and a pin lock, keyed alike.  They are not completely thief proof.  If someone has the time, the balls, and the right tools, they will get through them.  I see plenty of trailers without locks nearly every access I visit, so if someone wants to steal a trailer, they would simply take one without locks.  My goal is to just make it a little tougher than the next guy.  I look at it like outrunning a bear; I don't have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun the other guy.

Chains, crossed.

 

Had to put them on my old boat. Easy to find at Scheels/Cabela's/BPS/Amazon. The new boat had chains on the trailer. 

 

Had a Curt coupler lock...lost the key on a trip. What to do? Had a carpenter's claw hammer in the truck. Pretty shocked when I broke this lock with one easy swing : ( 

 

 

 

Now if I want to lock the trailer to the truck, it is with this. 

 

 

Not 100% theft proof for sure, but will require more than one swipe with a hammer. 

 

I think the OP got his answer.. CHAINS… wouldn’t even consider cables.

I have cables on my 1956 canoe trailer but it only weighs 150#. If I were to change it would be chains. Indiana doesn’t allow cables since about 2000. All my boats have been chains.

Master lock in the trailer coupler and pin lock in the receiver.

Thanks for all the comments.   I was going to buy chains when I was at the store to get a new hitch.   The store didn't have a matched set, I had the new cables so I went with them to get back on the water(crossed).   I'm going to change, ASAP.   

I don't remember why they changed (-$?) as they used to use chains.   The last two R's and one Lund had cables.   The only issues with chains, if the hook comes off they grind on the pavement.   The new ones have spring retainer clips.

I'm going to tell the state about that spot on the highway too.   I knew it was there but got lane trapped by a semi when I slowed for another bad spot.   I don't think it would've come off it not for the rough road, even if it was not properly connected.   I made it 20+ miles from home OK.   Like all incidents, a compounding of errors.   Maybe better it happened, I got concerned/alerted.

A good tip for everyone.   I also found out backing up to garage, that if I put it in reverse and get the license plate backup camera on - like I use to aligned/back to tongue, I can verify my new hitch connections.   I can double check before I pull out.  I'll put a note on the dash til it becomes habit.   

I have a second camera mounted in the outboard, so I have to toggle between cameras, that aids me backing up boat and for cars following too close or approaching from behind to pass.   Big blind spot with cover on.   I've done that the last two boats, after I quit buying 4x4s, the lower truck makes it harder to see behind.

I went to same lake Wed. with no issues, avoided the "spot".

were the cables at least crossed?

You can get chain by the foot at any hardware store and if you are worried about the hooks coming off, get quick connects 

Canada requires S hooks with a snap or clevis so the hook is closed for safety on chains.