Break away cable

Frankly, if the hitch comes out of the bed, you've got a lot bigger problem and I seriously doubt the e-brake on the trailer is going to make a hill o' beans difference.

Lyle

SugarHillCTD wrote:
Just as you aren't supposed to attach the break away cable to the drawbar of a trailer hitch, I was under the impression that for a fifth wheel the cable is to be attached to the truck, and not any part of the hitch.

The theory is that if ANY part of the fifth wheel hitch fails, by attaching the cable to the truck (like one of the tie down loops that is in the truck bed) the entire fifth wheel hitch could be completely torn out of the truck bed but the break away switch would still be activated- however ridiculous that seems.

Now don't start confusing these experts on the right way to do it . :B

Sure makes sense to be to be connected to something besides the hitch in case the hitch came loose.

Attach it wherever you want.
But, I got a small carabiner and connected 2 cables together and looped the end through the middle stake pocket.
Whatever works for you.

I connect mine to the rear corner of the truck bed. In 7 years of travel, I did have it accidentally pull once.

Just as you aren't supposed to attach the break away cable to the drawbar of a trailer hitch, I was under the impression that for a fifth wheel the cable is to be attached to the truck, and not any part of the hitch.

The theory is that if ANY part of the fifth wheel hitch fails, by attaching the cable to the truck (like one of the tie down loops that is in the truck bed) the entire fifth wheel hitch could be completely torn out of the truck bed but the break away switch would still be activated- however ridiculous that seems.

laknox wrote:

Bird Freak wrote:
I have a clip on mine and attach it to the rear tie down in corner of bed.

So, do you also turn the e-brake base downward so that the cable will pull straight out or do you leave the base facing forward so that the cable would pull sideways out of the base, possibly snapping the pin before it pulls out?

Lyle

Mine is turned to be a straight pull.

Oh wait I misunderstood. You guys must let your wife ride up front in the cab.

I tie mine the wife, if she falls out of the bed the camper will stop short of running her over.

ZeeLet50 wrote:
I have attached the connection to the security chains (if you have them)if not then a service hook somewhere in the bed. Just need to make sure it wont snag on anything when making turns. I have a Andersen system and used to just loop it around one of the support legs till I got the chains.

When I'm towing my GN flatbed, I use the chain connectors on my B&W Turnover Ball.

Lyle

Me Again wrote:
Given that some think the B&W head is design to separate under certain conditions, the cable should not be connected to anything on the head. I reality I believe that instructions say to connect it to the vehicle and not the hitch.

Well, given that, if the head on a B&W Companion separates from the base, the FW's almost certainly on it's =side=, it's sort of a moot point, dontcha think? :B

Lyle