6 Coiled Flat Tow Safety Cables That Simplify Everything

You’ve done everything right. The tow bar is locked in, the wiring is connected, and your towed vehicle is in neutral, ready to follow you on your next adventure. But as you pull away, you hear that awful sound—the metallic scrape of your safety cables dragging on the pavement. This small annoyance is a sign of a much bigger problem, but thankfully, it’s one with a brilliantly simple solution.

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Why Coiled Safety Cables are a Towing Essential

Let’s be clear: safety cables are not optional. They are your absolute last line of defense if the tow bar fails, preventing your towed car from becoming a runaway disaster. But traditional straight cables are a constant hassle, always too long or too short, and prone to dragging on the ground.

This is where coiled cables change the game completely. Their spring-like design keeps them suspended neatly between the RV and the car. No more dragging, no more sparking on the asphalt, and no more frayed wires from being ground down on every dip in the road. They automatically adjust their length as you turn, keeping the connection tidy and out of harm’s way.

Think of it as an investment in simplicity and peace of mind. You eliminate the need to twist cables around the tow bar or use zip ties to manage the slack. It’s a cleaner, safer, and more professional setup that removes one more small point of friction from your travel day.

Roadmaster 68" Coiled Cables: A Trusted Standard

When you see a lot of a particular product at a campground, it’s usually for a good reason. Roadmaster is a titan in the towing industry, and their coiled safety cables are a common sight. They represent a trusted, no-nonsense standard that works for the majority of flat-tow setups.

Typically rated for 6,000 or 8,000 pounds, these cables are a perfect match for popular towed vehicles like Jeep Wranglers or Ford Broncos. The 68-inch length is a sweet spot for most Class A and Class C motorhomes, providing enough reach without excess. They feature durable, vinyl-coated aircraft-grade steel and solid, spring-loaded latch hooks that are easy to operate even with cold hands.

For anyone new to flat towing or simply looking for a reliable, "set it and forget it" option, Roadmaster is the benchmark. You’re not just buying a piece of hardware; you’re buying into a long-standing reputation for quality and dependability on the road.

Blue Ox 7-Foot Coiled Cables: Maximum Durability

Blue Ox is another premium name you can’t miss in the RV world, known for their robust tow bars and braking systems. Their safety cables are built with the same philosophy: over-engineered for maximum durability. If you prioritize long-term resilience, these are the cables to look at.

Often boasting a 10,000-pound weight rating, Blue Ox cables are designed for heavy-duty use. The drop-forged and galvanized steel hooks are noticeably beefier than many competitors, and the thick vinyl coating is made to withstand years of abuse from UV rays, road salt, and grime. The 7-foot length offers a bit of extra room for tow bars with longer arms or for navigating tight turns without binding up.

This isn’t just about meeting the minimum safety requirement. It’s about investing in gear that you won’t have to think about again for a very long time. For those towing heavier vehicles or who simply believe in buying the best once, the durability of Blue Ox provides serious peace of mind.

CURT Coiled Safety Cables: Vinyl-Coated Protection

CURT is a massive player in the general towing market, and their products consistently deliver a great balance of performance and value. Their coiled safety cables are a prime example, with a special emphasis on protection—both for the cable and your expensive equipment.

The key feature here is the high-quality vinyl coating. While most coiled cables are coated, CURT’s feels particularly substantial. This isn’t just for looks; it prevents the steel cable from scratching the powder coat on your tow bar or the paint on your vehicle’s baseplate. Over thousands of miles, that small detail makes a big difference in keeping your gear looking good and free from rust.

With common ratings around 7,500 pounds, CURT cables are a versatile choice for a wide range of cars and SUVs. They offer a practical, no-fuss solution that protects your investment while providing the critical safety function you need. They are the workhorse choice for the pragmatic RVer.

Demco Commander Coiled Cables: Heavy-Duty Towing

If you’re towing a full-size truck or a heavy SUV, your safety margins need to be wider. Demco specializes in heavy-duty towing solutions, and their Commander tow bar and corresponding cables are built to handle serious weight with confidence.

These cables are all about brute strength. With weight ratings often at 10,000 pounds, they are constructed from thick-gauge steel and feature oversized hooks that inspire confidence. Everything about them feels substantial, from the coil tension to the positive click of the latches.

Choosing Demco is about matching your safety equipment to the demands of a heavy towed vehicle. When your "toad" weighs over 5,000 pounds, you’ve moved into a different class of towing forces. Demco cables are engineered for that reality, providing the robust connection needed for an uncompromisingly safe setup.

NSA RV Ready Brute Cables: Integrated System Choice

Sometimes the best choice is the one designed as part of a complete system. NSA RV Products is famous for its ReadyBrute Elite tow bar, which has a brilliant, fully mechanical surge braking system built right in. Their "Brute" safety cables are designed to complement this system perfectly.

What makes these unique is that they often come as a three-cable set. You get the two main safety cables, plus a smaller third cable that connects directly to the ReadyBrake’s breakaway mechanism. This integration simplifies your entire setup process, as all the components are pre-measured and designed to work together seamlessly.

If you own or are considering an NSA RV tow bar, using their cables is a no-brainer. It eliminates any guesswork about compatibility or length. You get a clean, factory-designed system where every part has its place, which is exactly the kind of elegant engineering we appreciate in the small-living world.

Tow Ready Coiled Cables: A Reliable Budget Option

Let’s be practical: not everyone is towing a 6,000-pound pickup truck. If your towed vehicle is a Chevy Spark, a Smart Car, or another lightweight subcompact, you don’t need to pay for a 10,000-pound capacity you’ll never use. This is where brands like Tow Ready (a part of Draw-Tite/Reese) offer a smart, reliable, and budget-friendly solution.

These cables are typically rated around 5,000 pounds, which is more than enough for most small cars. They meet all the necessary safety standards and provide the same coiled, tangle-free convenience as the more expensive brands. The hooks are secure, the vinyl coating is effective, and they get the job done without breaking the bank.

This is about right-sizing your gear for the task at hand. Choosing a 5,000-pound rated cable for a 2,500-pound car isn’t cutting a corner; it’s making an informed and efficient decision. It frees up money for other parts of your RV life without compromising on safety.

Matching Cable Weight Rating to Your Towed Vehicle

This is the most critical part of your decision. The golden rule is simple but non-negotiable: your safety cables must have a weight rating that meets or exceeds the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the car you are towing. Don’t use the "curb weight" or an estimate; you need the real number.

You can find the GVW on the sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb. It represents the maximum operating weight of the vehicle, including passengers and cargo. Once you have that number, the math is easy. If your SUV’s GVW is 5,200 pounds, you need cables rated for at least that much. In this case, a 6,000-pound set would be the minimum, and an 8,000-pound set would provide an excellent safety margin.

My advice is to always go at least one step up from the bare minimum. A 4,500-pound Jeep should be paired with 6,000-pound cables, not 5,000-pound ones. The forces involved in an emergency breakaway situation can be extreme. This is not the place to save twenty dollars; it’s the place to invest in an extra margin of safety for yourself and everyone else on the road.

Switching to coiled safety cables is one of the simplest and most effective upgrades you can make to your flat-towing rig. They eliminate a daily annoyance while improving the overall safety and integrity of your setup. By matching the right cable rating to your vehicle’s weight, you can hit the road with the confidence that your most important backup system is ready for anything.