7 Best Safety Cables For Towed Vehicles That Nomads Swear By

You’re cruising down I-40, the desert landscape blurring past. Suddenly, you feel a lurch—a sound no RVer ever wants to hear. A quick glance in your camera monitor confirms your worst fear: the tow bar has failed, and your Jeep is no longer directly connected to your motorhome. This is the exact moment when your safety cables go from being a simple legal requirement to the only thing preventing a multi-ton disaster. They are your absolute last line of defense, and choosing the right pair is one of the most critical gear decisions you’ll make.

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What to Look for in Towed Vehicle Safety Cables

Before you buy anything, you need to know what matters. It’s not about the brand name on the box; it’s about the engineering that keeps your towed vehicle, or "toad," securely attached to your rig if the primary connection fails. The single most important factor is the weight rating. This number must be greater than your toad’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)—not its curb weight. Always use the GVWR to account for all the gear, fuel, and stuff you’ve packed inside.

Next, consider the style: coiled or straight. Coiled cables are popular because they naturally stay up off the pavement, preventing scrapes and damage. Straight cables are simpler and often used in heavy-duty applications, but you have to be careful they don’t drag. I’ve seen people twist their straight cables a few times to shorten them just enough to clear the ground, which is a simple and effective trick.

Finally, look at the hardware. The cable itself should be aircraft-grade galvanized or stainless steel, preferably covered in a thick vinyl or nylon coating to protect both the cable and your equipment from scratches. Pay close attention to the hooks. You want drop-forged steel hooks with spring-loaded safety latches, not simple S-hooks that can potentially bounce off. That little spring clip is what keeps the hook secured over bumpy roads and tight turns.

Blue Ox Coiled Cables: The Nomad’s Top Choice

There’s a reason you see Blue Ox gear on rigs all over the country. They’ve built a reputation for rock-solid, reliable towing equipment, and their safety cables are no exception. These are often the default choice for full-timers who demand performance and peace of mind.

What sets them apart is the quality of the materials and construction. Blue Ox uses aircraft-grade steel cables that are coiled with a strong "memory," meaning they retract crisply and don’t sag over time. Their vinyl coating is thick and durable, resisting nicks and abrasions from road debris. More importantly, their drop-forged, spring-loaded hooks are some of the most robust in the industry, giving you a confident "click" when you attach them. They offer various weight ratings, with their 7,500-lb and 10,000-lb models covering the vast majority of towed vehicles.

Roadmaster Straight Cables: For Heavy-Duty Use

If you’re towing something substantial, like a Ford F-150 or a Ram 1500, you need to think in terms of brute strength. This is where Roadmaster’s straight safety cables really shine. While they also make excellent coiled cables, their straight cables are the go-to for many nomads with heavy toads.

The primary advantage of a straight cable in a heavy-duty setup is the lack of a coil to stretch or fatigue under a heavy load. It’s a more direct and arguably stronger link. Roadmaster’s cables are often rated for 8,000 or 10,000 lbs and are built to handle the immense forces involved in stopping a runaway truck. The key is ensuring you have the right length so they don’t drag, but also have enough slack for sharp turns. For a heavy toad, the uncompromising strength of a high-quality straight cable from a brand like Roadmaster is tough to beat.

CURT Coiled Safety Cables: A Versatile Option

CURT is one of the biggest names in towing, and their safety cables represent a fantastic middle ground of quality, availability, and price. They are a workhorse product that you can find at almost any RV or automotive parts store, which is a huge plus if you ever need a replacement on the road.

CURT offers a wide range of coiled cables, typically in 5,000-lb and 7,500-lb capacities, making them a perfect match for the most common towed vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, Chevy Equinox, or Ford Escape. They feature durable vinyl coatings and zinc-plated S-hooks with reliable safety latches. While they may not feel quite as overbuilt as a set from Blue Ox, they are fully certified and have proven themselves over millions of miles. For the average nomad, CURT cables are a smart, dependable, and accessible choice.

Demco Towed Connector Cables: Built to Last

Demco has a reputation for thoughtful, durable engineering, and their safety cables reflect that philosophy. They tend to focus on creating products that solve common annoyances for RVers. If you’re the type who believes in "buy it once, cry once," Demco should be on your short list.

Many of their safety cables are integrated directly with the 7-way electrical umbilical cord. This "all-in-one" design is brilliant. It means you have one less thing to connect and one less thing to get tangled, dragged, or forgotten. The cables themselves are often protected by a heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant nylon sheath instead of just vinyl, offering superior protection. This integrated approach simplifies your hookup process and results in a cleaner, more organized connection between your coach and toad.

NSA RV ReadyBrake Cables: Integrated Safety

This option is a bit different because it’s part of a larger system. NSA RV’s ReadyBrake is a popular mechanical supplemental braking system, and its design cleverly incorporates safety. The main steel cable that runs from the RV’s hitch to the brake pedal in the toad is, by design, a breakaway safety cable.

If a catastrophic disconnect happens, this primary cable is what pulls the toad’s brakes, bringing it to a safe stop. NSA RV also provides two additional safety cables as a redundant system, meeting legal requirements in all states. For nomads who use or are considering the ReadyBrake system, this integrated design is a major benefit. It’s an elegant solution that combines two critical safety functions—breakaway braking and vehicle retention—into one streamlined package.

Reese Towpower Safety Cables: Trusted Strength

Reese is another one of those legacy brands that has been foundational to the towing industry for decades. Like CURT, they produce no-nonsense, reliable equipment that you can count on. Their safety cables are straightforward, strong, and built without unnecessary frills.

Reese Towpower cables are typically made from high-strength, galvanized steel and feature corrosion-resistant, zinc-plated hooks. They focus on the fundamentals: a solid weight rating and secure connections. You won’t find fancy integrated features here, just pure, simple strength. For the nomad who values proven designs and trusted brand history over the latest innovations, Reese provides a product that simply works, trip after trip.

Tow Ready Coiled Cables: A Budget-Friendly Pick

Let’s be practical: not everyone is towing a 7,000-lb truck cross-country every week. If you have a lighter toad, like a Chevy Spark or a small classic Suzuki, and tow less frequently, a budget-friendly option like Tow Ready can be a perfectly sensible choice.

These cables meet all the necessary safety standards and provide a secure connection at a fraction of the cost of premium brands. The main tradeoff is usually in the finer details—the vinyl coating might be a bit thinner, or the spring latches on the hooks might not feel as robust. However, as long as you verify the weight rating is well above your vehicle’s GVWR, they are a safe and economical solution. They prove that you don’t have to break the bank to be compliant and safe on the road.

Ultimately, your safety cables are a critical piece of insurance. The "best" set isn’t about having the most expensive brand; it’s about having the right tool for your specific job—your vehicle’s weight, your towing system, and your travel style. Whichever you choose, make inspecting them part of your pre-trip checklist. A quick check for frays, cracks, or a faulty hook latch takes 30 seconds and ensures your final line of defense is always ready to do its job.