breakaway cable

[BobS]

Anyone ever have experience with the trailer breakaway cable actually doing something usefull? The cable on my trailer is corroded and I need to replace it, but I'm thinking why bother. It seems like a great concept but I think if the trailer came loose it would flip and roll rather than stop with the brakes.

 

[GaryOwen]

Having a breakaway cable kept me from getting ticketed at least once. Officer checked breakaway cable for proper operation by pulling plug and having me pull forward.

 

[HGreen]

Never lost a trailer before, but have seen the effectiveness of the break-away switch. The ball broke off, weight of the trailer straighten the safety chain hooks (cheap bent rods), and the break-away switch set the brakes, and the trailer actually stopped before the truck did. Only damage was to the hitch jack. Made me a beleiver. The trailer was a car hauler, with a Jeep Cherokee on it. Most states require there use on any ball connections between tow vehicle and trailer. Don't know why fifth wheel don't need them.

 

[CPG]

The California Highway Patrol periodically uses little portable ramps at no given time to check the operation of these in CA here. One of these places is the Dorris Ca fruit inspection station in northern CA. These are random stops & I have been waved on when they are busy when pulling my 5th wheel through. One can never tell. Heavy traffic of RV vechicles here. 5th wheels are not exempt. Also the parking brakes are checked also.

 

[KRozeboom]

So how long should the breakaway switch cable be? Mine, as it came from the trailer manufacturer, is at least two feet longer than the distance from the switch to hitch on the truck.

 

[klenger]

Mine serves a very useful purpose: http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/brake-away-switch-cable/index.html



A new break-away switch cable was made so that the cable hook just touches the ground when the trailer is at the correct level for hooking up to the truck. Since this location is very near the rear axle location when hitching, correct pin height is assured regardless of the slope of the ground.



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[CDyksman]

Seems to me that in order for it to work, it needs to be just a little shorter than the chains, or the chains will tighten before the cable can tighten and do its job.