Trailer breakaway cable query

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Clannad48

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Just a quick query regarding how you attach the trailer breakaway cable to your towing vehicle. Do you attach it to the vehicle by looping it over the tow bar ball or attach it via the clip to a hole in the tow bar fitting (best description I could think of). I have seen both ways on other trailers, I know which one I think is correct but just wondered what everyone else thought
 
Hole in the towbar fitting. If, god forbid, your towball came off the trailer brakes wouldn't engage as the breakaway cable needs to break away from the trailer.
 
I slot it through the towbar and clip it back onto itself, as has everyone else ive seen and what my trailer test instructor said.

If you jut clipped it straight on without looping it back, surely it would be too long and put extra pressure on just the clip?


Like this - fig 1
http://www.motabars.co.uk/breakaway.html

fig 2 - just clipping straight on, says "This alternative must be specifically permitted by the trailer manufacturer since the clip may not be sufficiently strong for use in this way. "
 
Clannad48 said:
Precisely what I think, so why do I keep on seeing them just looped over
Click to expand...

Lazy, can't be arsed to slot it through a small hole, easier to unloop from the towball.

My trailer's breakaway cable was a joke, it was looped around the jockey wheel winder on the trailer and not even attached to the brakes! It's now fixed up properly.
 
Some of the generic cables you buy are too long. I've always clipped mine into a hole next to the towbar. The longer replacement one i'm using now is too long so I put a loop in it and secured it with tape. I don't think hooking it back on itself is correct
 
Agree with option three - looped around the tow coupling (not the ball) and clipped onto itself as the clip won't be strong enough. How I was taught for the test too.
 
http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/preparing/hitching.aspx
Attach safety breakaway cable(s) to the rear of vehicle. This cable will apply the hand brake if for any reason the trailer becomes detached whilst towing. (Clip the breakaway cable onto the special rings some towbars have or loop it around the bar, making sure it cannot foul the coupling head. Do not loop it round the towball neck unless you can find no alternative.) Check that the breakaway and lighting cables have enough slack for cornering but will not touch the ground.
 
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