# Put ash trays back in cars and trucks! **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [June 8, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325 "2021-06-08T15:52:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 1:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/41 "2021-06-11T13:03:25Z")
> [@Docnick](#): > > I don’t smoke but some of my passengers do and and I have kept the removable ashtray in my Toyota for them. I don’t let people smoke in any of my vehicles…PERIOD…This included my Parents and Brother and Sister, and wife’s Parents, Friends. > [@pyrolord314](#): > > I can’t stand smokers who toss their butts out the window…even an old soda can makes a better ashtray than the ground does… Go to any stop-light in any city and look the ground and you’ll see cig butts. I also hate people who smoke cigars on the golf course. A large number of them don’t dispose of their cigars or ashes properly…disgusting . > [@shadowfax](#): > > Smokers still tossed their butts out the window when cars had ash trays. There was a huge forest fire in CA some 20 years ago started by a smoker who threw their cig but out the window. They caught the person and he basically said he never used the ashtray. My dad used the ashtray until it got full…lol My Highlander didn’t come with an ashtray. My 4runner came with an option for an ashtray. I bought if off the lot so it came with it. I used the space for my toll tokens. ---
**Author:** ![sheridanpaul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@sheridanpaul](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sheridanpaul)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/42 "2021-06-11T17:07:47Z")
“And cup holders…enough cup holders to store enough drinks to get a crew of pirates drunk.” Funny! Now if we bring back pay toilets, there is an industry that will flourish! ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 12:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/43 "2021-06-13T12:08:30Z")
Are cigarettes made to extinguish so that littering slobs do not cause fires? Heard an ad on the radio aboutrailer hitch safety chains touching pavement and producing fire-causing sparks. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 3:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/44 "2021-06-13T15:13:51Z")
It has been my experience that 9 out of 10 people don’t know the proper way to hook up safety chains and touching the pavement is not the proper way. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 12:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/45 "2021-06-14T12:55:06Z")
> [@Robert-Gift](#): > > Are cigarettes made to extinguish so that littering slobs do not cause fires? Most brush fires around here are caused by people throwing their cigarettes out the window…So the answer to your question is NO. ---
**Author:** ![BoboTheClown](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bobotheclown/32/25526_2.png) [@BoboTheClown](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BoboTheClown)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/46 "2021-06-14T16:30:19Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > It has been my experience that 9 out of 10 people don’t know the proper way to hook up safety chains… Is there a correct way (other than off the ground)? Even those who know the proper way often hook them up when the vehicle and trailer are unloaded. Then they don’t check them again after everything is loaded and the hitch is sitting lower to the ground. Another problem is there is more than one “right” way to do it. I was taught to cross the chains so they will catch the hitch if it were to come loose, but that can limit your ability to make tight turns, stretching the chain to its limit if the trailer starts to jackknife. Another issue is deciding how to shorten the chains so they don’t drag. Twisting them is one way. Another way is to run the extra slack around the chain’s mounting points until you can lock the end in place. If there was one simple right way to do it, things might be a lot simpler. Sometimes the hitch is sitting so low there is no way to keep the chains off the ground. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/47 "2021-06-14T16:49:31Z")
> [@BoboTheClown](#): > > I was taught to cross the chains so they will catch the hitch if it were to come loose, but that can limit your ability to make tight turns, stretching the chain to its limit if the trailer starts to jackknife. That is the proper way if you need to make tight turns you have the wrong set up you need something like a fifth wheel as far as a jackknife you try to avoid that situation as it can be to late to prevent an accident as far as your other questions same answer wrong set up and should be avoided. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/48 "2021-06-14T16:57:22Z")
> [@Robert-Gift](#): > > Are cigarettes made to extinguish so that littering slobs do not cause fires? Somewhat, Fire Safe Cigarettes will self extinguish in a short time if air is not drawn through them. > **[Fire-safe cigarette](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_safe_cigarette)** > > Fire-safe cigarettes, abbreviated "FSC", also known as lower ignition propensity (LIP), reduced fire risk (RFR), self-extinguishing, fire-safe or reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes, are cigarettes that are designed to extinguish more quickly than standard cigarettes if ignored, with the intention of preventing accidental fires. In the United States, "FSC" above the barcode signifies that the cigarettes sold are fire standards compliant (FSC). > Fire-safe cigarettes are produced by adding... ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/49 "2021-06-14T17:16:37Z")
> [@BoboTheClown](#): > > I was taught to cross the chains so they will catch the hitch if it were to come loose, but that can limit your ability to make tight turns, stretching the chain to its limit if the trailer starts to jackknife. Yeah that’s what I do. Cross the chains and twist them a time or two if they are hanging too low. ---
**Author:** ![BoboTheClown](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bobotheclown/32/25526_2.png) [@BoboTheClown](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BoboTheClown)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/50 "2021-06-14T17:18:26Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > That is the proper way if you need to make tight turns you have the wrong set up… That really doesn’t simplify the issue if the hitch and tongue are near the ground. In that scenario, you have two choices: 1. Keep the chains crossed and loose enough that they don’t damage anything in a tight turn. Let the chains drag on the highway throwing sparks. 2. Don’t cross the chains so you can leave enough slack for tight turns without the chains dragging or damaging the rig. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/51 "2021-06-14T17:44:48Z")
> [@BoboTheClown](#): > > That really doesn’t simplify the issue if the hitch and tongue are near the ground. In that scenario, you have two choices: I have a third choice in your scenario if I tow anything I use my full size PU I would not even think about moving a vehicle like that now a days you either need a SUV or PU to pull a trailer most cars are to small and lightweight to pull a trailer I have not seen any cars since the late 70’s or early 80’s that are big enough for towing. I have seen to many people towing with a vehicle that is way to little and lightweight for what they are towing. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/52 "2021-06-14T18:01:17Z")
Interesting though in the UK, especially on a weekend or holiday, you’ll see all kinds of little cars pulling camping trailers and they seem to do just fine. I used to pull a 2000# camper with just a full sized FWD through snow, ice, rain, flat and mountains with no trouble what so ever. Stopping, starting, handling. I’ve seen the U Haul vids and an improperly loaded even 4X8 will cause a dangerous fish tail. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/53 "2021-06-14T18:16:56Z")
To me there are two kinds of people who tow those who know what they are doing they match the weight of the tow vehicle with what they are towing and learn how to drive a towed combination before they get on the road and then there are the ones who never towed anything before hook up and go then there are people who never drove anything bigger than a midsize car jumping into a big rental truck and taking off with no instruction. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/54 "2021-06-14T18:33:01Z")
> [@BoboTheClown](#): > > I was taught to cross the chains so they will catch the hitch if it were to come loose, but that can limit your ability to make tight turns, stretching the chain to its limit if the trailer starts to jackknife. The chains can’t be too loose or too tight. I have a camper that has very long chains. I need the long chains if I tow with the hitch that’s also a bike carrier. This hitch puts the ball about 2’ away from the back of truck. If I use the other/normal hitch the ball is only about 6" away from back of truck. When I use the normal hitch I then cross the chains and also twist them (but not too much). ---
**Author:** ![BoboTheClown](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bobotheclown/32/25526_2.png) [@BoboTheClown](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BoboTheClown)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/55 "2021-06-14T20:04:14Z")
I see lots of old police cruisers with trailer hitches installed. People buy them because they make good tow vehicles for lightweight camper trailers. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/56 "2021-06-14T20:08:53Z")
When we had Marine Patrol in our are they towed 21 foot center console boats with Crown Vics. ---
**Author:** ![william969](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ec9cab/32.png) [@william969](https://community.cartalk.com/u/william969)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/57 "2021-06-15T23:32:28Z")
I only rode the bus one year during 5th grade and those ashtrays were handy. Unfortunately, we didn’t have drink holders for our beers. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 11:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/58 "2021-06-15T23:40:58Z")
We had a locker from a kid that moved away, I was not into it but they kept sherry for their tea in high school. They are all dead now. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/59 "2021-06-17T13:36:12Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Interesting though in the UK, especially on a weekend or holiday, you’ll see all kinds of little cars pulling camping trailers and they seem to do just fine. UK campers are different than ours. If you look at pictures you’ll notice that their wheels are much closer to the center of gravity. This takes weight off of the tongue, which means smaller cars can pull them, but also means they’re less stable at high speed. That doesn’t matter as much if you’re tooling around the back country former ox cart roads because you aren’t going to get up to highway speeds anyway. And even if you do go on a highway, there tend to be strict speed limits when you’re pulling a trailer (which does admittedly tend to infuriate other drivers when someone’s pulling a camper at 50mph on a 70mph highway). Ours shift the wheels farther back for greater stability at speed, but the consequence is that there’s more weight pushing down on the rear of the car, which necessitates a beefier vehicle. Personally I’d rather have the euro-style camper, but I think it’s suboptimal to go full speed when you’re pulling anyway. You can practically watch the gas gauge drop in real time if you tow at 70. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 2:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325/60 "2021-06-17T14:01:08Z")
Camping trailers have grown a lot in the last sixty years. We had a trailer like this, no problem pulling with an Impala, 327, Powergilde, and fairly simple, non-weight distributing hitch. Not so today, most people want huge trailers with slide outs, entertainment centers, and showers, AKA ‘glamping’. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/0/6/06f54fb6c2fb464a17da10a632b470da51be2346.jpeg) [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325.md?page=2) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/put-ash-trays-back-in-cars-and-trucks/177325.md?page=4)