What is the purpose of the breakaway cable?
A breakaway cable is a safety cable that attaches the brake system on trailer to the back of your tow vehicle. The cable is in place in case your trailer unhooks from your tow vehicle. If the trailer unhooks, then the pin pulls out from the box, activating the trailer brakes.
Do I need a breakaway cable on my trailer?
Expert Reply: No, but your local and state laws may require one. They are also just a good idea in general because they will stop a run away trailer should it get disconnected from the tow vehicle. …
Is a breakaway cable a legal requirement?
What is a breakaway cable? It is a legal requirement for a breakaway cable to be correctly fitted to all caravans with a maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM) of between 750kg and 3500kg. This applies to all caravans, trailers and similar structures which were manufactured after 1982.
What is a breakaway system on a trailer?
A breakaway system is an essential component for trailers. It’s designed to bring your trailer to a stop if it gets disconnected from your vehicle. This type of setup is essential for safe driving when you’re hauling a trailer around.
Where do you put the breakaway cable on a caravan?
All types of braked trailer, including caravans, must have a breakaway cable. At the caravan end, the cable is fitted to the lower end of the brake lever, and at the car end, it is looped around the towball, or better still, clipped to a special eye on the towbar.
Are breakaway brakes required?
With the exception of trailers having three or more axles, all brakes with which the trailer is required to be equipped must be applied upon breakaway from the towing vehicle.
How does a caravan breakaway cable work?
A caravan breakaway cable is designed to snap after it’s pulled on the caravan’s handbrake and brings your caravan to a standstill in the event of a detachment, leaving it in a safe position, so it doesn’t cross or leave the road or carriageway and cause injury to other road users, pedestrians or nearby properties.
How do caravan breakaway brakes work?
How does it work? The caravan breakaway system for electric brakes relies on a battery in the trailer to provide the power to operate the brakes once the trailer breaks away from the towing vehicle. So it makes sense that this battery be kept fully charged at all times.
How does a caravan breakaway work?
A caravan breakaway system is a safety device required by law to be fitted to towed caravans over 2000 kg. If your caravan happens to become uncoupled when you’re towing it, then electric brakes or electronic disk brakes kick in on all wheels and stop your caravan from running away and causing an accident.