Flat Towing Safety CablesRequired by Law in Most States
Safety cables are a legal requirement in most U.S. states for flat towing — and
the last line of defense if your tow bar ever disconnects. We carry Blue Ox
and Roadmaster safety cables rated from 7,500 to 10,000 lbs in straight,
EZ-Hook, double-hook, and permanent-mount styles. Find the right cable for your
tow bar below.
Match your cable style to your tow bar and connection type.
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Straight Hook
Standard J-hook or straight hook — the most common style, fits most tow bar safety cable attachment points
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EZ-Hook
Spring-loaded hook for faster, easier connection — popular with full-time RVers who hook up frequently
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Double Hook
Hook on both ends — attaches to both the tow bar and the vehicle, adding a second secure connection point
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Permanent Mount
Bolts directly to the vehicle’s frame — the strongest and most secure cable mounting option available
Blue Ox
Blue Ox safety cables are designed to match their tow bar systems — Class III rated for lighter vehicles, Class IV for heavier setups up to 10,000 lbs.
Blue Ox
Safety Cable Kit — Permanent Mount, 10,000 lb, 3’
10,000 lb rated · 3 ft · Permanent frame mount · Strongest attachment option
$71.00
Blue Ox
Safety Cable Kit — Class III, 7,500 lb, 7’, 2-Pack
7,500 lb rated · 7 ft · Class III · 2 cables included · Straight hook
$89.00
Free Ship
Blue Ox
Safety Cable Kit — Class IV, 10,000 lb, 7’
10,000 lb rated · 7 ft · Class IV · For heavier tow bar setups · Free shipping
Roadmaster safety cables come in straight, EZ-Hook, and double-hook styles in 64″ and 76″ lengths — all rated at 8,000 or 10,000 lbs for serious flat towing.
Most U.S. states require safety cables on any flat towed vehicle — and for good
reason. If your tow bar ever disconnects from the motorhome, the safety cables are
what keep the towed vehicle attached and prevent it from separating entirely. They
are the last line of defense in a disconnect situation, and they cost a fraction of
the damage a runaway towed vehicle would cause.
Blue Ox safety cables come in Class III (7,500 lb) and Class IV
(10,000 lb) ratings, with permanent-mount options for the strongest possible
attachment directly to your vehicle’s frame. Roadmaster safety cables
are available in 64″ and 76″ lengths with straight, EZ-Hook, and double-hook
styles — all rated at 8,000 or 10,000 lbs. EZ-Hook cables are popular with
full-time RVers who hook up frequently. Double-hook cables add a second connection
point on each end for maximum security. Orders over $100 ship free to the lower
48 states.
Not sure which cable length or rating fits your tow bar? Tell us your tow bar brand
and model and we’ll point you to the right cable in seconds.
Need help choosing the right safety cable? Call our towing specialists toll-free at
877-736-2267
What is the best safety cable for flat towing a car behind a motorhome?
The best safety cable depends on your tow bar rating and how often you hook up.
For most flat towing setups, a Roadmaster EZ-Hook cable in 76″
is the most convenient everyday choice — the spring-loaded hook makes
connection fast and the 76″ length fits most motorhome-to-vehicle configurations.
For maximum security, Blue Ox permanent-mount cables bolt directly
to the vehicle’s frame and are the strongest attachment available. For 10,000 lb
setups, the Roadmaster double-hook 64″ 10K cables are the
top heavy-duty choice. All are in stock at RV Camp Champ with free shipping on
orders over $100.
Are safety cables required by law for flat towing?
Yes — most U.S. states legally require safety cables on any
vehicle being flat towed. The specific requirement varies by state — some
require one cable, others require two — but the safest and most common
practice is to use two safety cables crossed in an X pattern
beneath the tow bar connection. This cross pattern creates a cradle that catches
the tow bar if it disconnects, preventing the coupler from dragging on the road.
Check your state’s towing laws before your next trip, or call us at
877-736-2267 if you have questions.
What is the difference between EZ-Hook and straight hook safety cables?
A straight hook (or J-hook) is a fixed metal hook that slides
onto the cable attachment point and stays in place with tension. A
EZ-Hook has a spring-loaded latch that clicks closed around the
attachment point — it’s faster to connect and disconnect, and less
likely to accidentally come loose. Full-time RVers who hook up their towed vehicle
frequently strongly prefer EZ-Hook cables for the speed and convenience. Both
are equally rated for strength — the difference is purely in ease of use.
What capacity safety cable do I need for my towed vehicle?
Your safety cable capacity should meet or exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) of your towed vehicle. Most cars and small SUVs weigh between
3,000 and 5,000 lbs — a 7,500 lb Class III cable covers
these comfortably. Full-size SUVs, trucks, and heavier vehicles may approach
6,000–8,000 lbs — use a 10,000 lb rated cable for
these setups. When in doubt, go with the higher-rated cable. The weight rating
on your tow bar is also a good reference — your cables should be rated at
least as high as your tow bar.
What length safety cable do I need for flat towing?
Safety cable length depends on the distance between your motorhome’s rear
hitch and the towed vehicle’s frame connection points. Most flat towing
setups use cables between 64″ and 76″ in length.
The 76″ length is the most commonly recommended —
it provides enough slack for turns and clearance without excessive droop.
64″ cables are used on shorter-wheelbase setups or when
the tow bar arms are shorter. If you’re upgrading cables, measure the
distance from the hitch to the safety cable attachment points with your vehicle
connected — or call us at 877-736-2267 for a recommendation.
Your tow bar and baseplate connections are only as secure as the locks and pins
holding them together. We carry Blue Ox, Roadmaster, and TriMax
receiver locks, coupler padlocks, and hitch pins — everything you need to
lock down your flat towing setup at the campsite and on the road.
Each connection point on your flat towing setup has its own lock type.
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Receiver Locks
Lock the tow bar or hitch into your motorhome’s receiver tube. Available in 1/2″, 5/8″, and 2.5″ sizes.
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Coupler Padlocks
Lock the tow bar coupler head or baseplate connection pins. Prevents disconnect while parked.
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Hitch Pins & Base Pins
Replacement and upgrade pins for tow bar arm connections and baseplate attachment points.
Blue Ox
Blue Ox locks are engineered to fit their tow bar and baseplate systems precisely — receiver locks, coupler locks, and pin sets in individual and keyed-alike configurations.
Blue Ox
2.5″ Receiver Locks — 3 Pack
2.5″ receiver · 3 locks included · Locks tow bar to motorhome receiver
$96.00
Blue Ox
5/8″ Receiver Lock — Class II & III
5/8″ pin · Fits Class II and III receivers · Single lock
$36.00
Blue Ox
1/2″ Receiver Lock — Class I
1/2″ pin · Fits Class I receivers · Single lock
$36.00
Blue Ox
Universal & Adjustable Pin Style Coupler Lock
Universal fit · Adjustable pin · Locks coupler head on tow bar
2 locks included · 5/8″ x 4-3/8″ pin · For receiver and baseplate connections
$85.00
Roadmaster
Roadmaster offers keyed-alike lock sets so one key operates every lock on your flat towing setup — coupler padlocks, receiver hitch locks, and base pins with linch pins.
Roadmaster
Keyed-Alike Quick-Disconnect Padlocks — 4 Pack
4 padlocks · All keyed alike · One key for every lock on your setup
$95.37
Roadmaster
Keyed-Alike Coupler Padlock Set — 3 Pack
3 padlocks · All keyed alike · For coupler and baseplate connections
$68.09
Roadmaster
5/8″ Receiver Hitch Lock
5/8″ pin · Locks tow bar into receiver hitch · Roadmaster specific
$49.17
Roadmaster
3-Piece Coupler Padlock Set — 1 Hitch & 2 Padlocks
3-piece set · 1 receiver hitch lock + 2 coupler padlocks · Covers all connection points
$78.54
Roadmaster
Red Handle Base Pin with Cable & Linch Pin
Red handled · Cable & linch pin included · Baseplate attachment point security
$53.86
Roadmaster
Receiver Hitch Pin & Clip
Standard pin & clip · Replacement or spare for receiver hitch connection
$15.29
TriMax
TriMax stainless steel receiver locks offer corrosion-resistant security for outdoor use — a popular upgrade for RVers who store their coach in wet climates.
TriMax
Stainless Steel Receiver Lock — 5/8″ x 3.5″
Stainless steel · 5/8″ x 3.5″ · Corrosion-resistant · For 2″ receiver hitches
A tow bar connected to your motorhome is only as secure as the pins and locks holding
it together. Loose or unlocked connections rattle, wear faster, and can attract theft
at a crowded campground. The right combination of receiver lock, coupler padlock, and
baseplate pin eliminates all of that — and takes about 30 seconds to install.
Blue Ox locks are precision-fit for their tow bar and baseplate systems,
available as individual receiver locks or as combo kits covering multiple connection points.
Roadmaster keyed-alike lock sets are one of the most popular choices for
full-time RVers — one key operates every lock on your rig, from the receiver hitch
to the coupler padlocks. TriMax stainless steel receiver locks are built
for wet climates and long-term outdoor storage. All ship free on orders over $100
to the lower 48 states.
Not sure which lock fits your tow bar model? Just tell us your brand and we’ll
point you to the right part in seconds.
Need help finding the right lock? Call our towing specialists toll-free at
877-736-2267
Frequently Asked Questions — Tow Bar Locks & Pins
What locks do I need to secure my flat towing setup?
A complete flat towing security setup typically needs two types of locks.
First, a receiver lock that secures the tow bar or hitch into
your motorhome’s receiver tube — this prevents the tow bar from being
pulled out. Second, a coupler padlock that locks the tow bar’s
coupler head or the baseplate connection pins — this prevents disconnection
while parked. Roadmaster keyed-alike sets cover both points with
one key. Blue Ox combo kits (BX88403) also bundle both lock types
in a single order.
What size receiver lock do I need for my tow bar?
Receiver lock size depends on your hitch class. Most flat towing setups use a
5/8″ receiver lock — this fits the majority of Class II,
III, and IV hitches on Class A and C motorhomes. If you have a heavy-duty
2.5″ receiver on a large diesel pusher, you need a
2.5″ receiver lock (like the Blue Ox BX88101 3-pack). Smaller Class I hitches
use a 1/2″ lock. Check the hole diameter on your hitch
receiver if you’re not sure — or call us at 877-736-2267.
What does “keyed alike” mean for tow bar locks?
Keyed alike means all the locks in a set are opened by the same key.
On a flat towing setup, you might have a receiver hitch lock, one or two coupler
padlocks, and a baseplate pin lock — that’s potentially four different
locks. Without keyed-alike locks, you need four different keys. Roadmaster’s
keyed-alike sets come in 2-pack, 3-pack, and 4-pack options so
every lock on your rig uses a single key — a simple quality-of-life upgrade
that full-time RVers consistently recommend.
Are Blue Ox locks compatible with Roadmaster tow bars?
Standard receiver locks (5/8″ pin style) are generally
cross-compatible between brands — they fit any hitch receiver with the
matching hole size, regardless of tow bar brand. Coupler padlocks,
however, are designed for specific tow bar coupler shapes — a Blue Ox coupler
lock may not fit a Roadmaster coupler and vice versa. When in doubt, buy locks
matched to your tow bar brand or use a universal adjustable coupler lock like the
Blue Ox BX88402. Call us at 877-736-2267 and we’ll confirm
compatibility before you order.
Do I need a lock if my tow bar pins already have clips?
Standard hitch pins with clips (also called hairpin clips or linch pins) hold the
connection in place during towing but do not prevent theft or
unauthorized disconnection — they can be removed in seconds without tools.
A locking receiver pin or padlock replaces or supplements the clip with a
key-operated mechanism that requires a key to remove. If security at campgrounds
or overnight parking is a concern, upgrading from clips to keyed locks is a
straightforward and affordable step.
