Trailer break away cable

[nickjaxe]

Hi bit of advise req, I am doing some work on our clubs RIB trailer, I have just fitted a new breakaway cable for the breaks, its about 4mm dia wire cable, but one of the guys thinks its to thick and strong, he is worried if the trailer did break away the cable would end up towing the boat and possibly doing damage to the towing car, his idea is that the cable should snap after it puts the breaks on, to my mind the important thing is that it puts the breaks on and stops the thing, any comments please.

Nick.

[David Hickman]

I think you will find that the other chap is correct. The breakawau cable idea is to put the brakes on and then snap off disconnecting the trailer from the tow vehicle. A trailer being towed at 60mph on the end of a loose cable could in extreme circumstances flip the car over due to the erratic movement.

[Paul F]

You can get the correct item from most trailer agents, wire is supposed to part when used.

[Red Fox]

A caravan dealer is your other option, they should stock one.

[Mike C]

Mine has a curved piece of metal attached to the cable, a bit like a key ring. I thought the idea was that THAT would give and straighten out after it had put the break on and release the cable!? That way it doesn't matter how thick the cable is!

How is yours attached to the trailer?

Mike C

[Mike B]

Unfortunately speaking from experience I know Mike C is correct, certainly for caravans.

After the hitch fails and the cable activates the hand brake, the cable remains intact and a link of softish metal on the bottom of the hand brake straightens releasing the cable from the trailer.

Moral of the story - do not trust anyone to hitch you up without checking it has been done right !

[Scary Des]

These cables are designed to stop the trailer if the hitch brakes, in practice this is very rare, even if the whole lot flips (tailor and car) the hitch will still be attached. In Aus they use two chains which are designed to keep the trailer with the car, entirely different approach but what do you expect from the Aussies

[Headhunter]

Try here online
www.towsure.co.uk
Bolts & Brackets section
Code B30
Breakaway Cable,(Cost £2.35) A legally required safety device that activates the brakes if car and caravan become separated in transit. It works by pulling the brakes on then snapping. It is illegal to wrap the cable around the tow ball, it has to be fitted onto an independent mounting point.



I have their catalogue and it is very comprehensive including a marine section.

John

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by Headhunter

...It is illegal to wrap the cable around the tow ball, it has to be fitted onto an independent mounting point.
John

John It is not illegal; in the UK it is ok to use the tow ball. Only in Belgium do you need by law a separate fixing point for the breakaway.

[Headhunter]

"A legally required safety device that activates the brakes if car and caravan become separated in transit." etc.etc.

This is a quote from the Towsure website

John