Very Scary Tow Car Breakaway
A dear friend sent me this photo of his Jeep Cherokee which recently became detached while driving on I-95. The story goes that they were driving down I-95 when a motorist drove up beside them madl...
Forum Discussion
Two thigns I have said before in these forums: (Or it nearly happened to me)
ONE: the instructions for the break-a-way say not to have it attached to any part of the tow system, THus the switch should NOT have been attached to the base plate.. NOR should the motor home end be hooked to the loop for the safety cables like the dealer did mine (The dealer at least attached the switch to the towed not the base plate.
WHY: in my case two brackets broke on the motor home, dropped the cross bar the RECEIVER is welded to on the ground.. Break-a-way and all, thankfully the car tracked true and one wire remained hooked, The Brakes, so it stopped when I stopped. Guess I had it set right.
The base plate:
On mine.. A routine inspection found 2 bolts loose and one missing.. Seems the dealer forgot to read the line in the instructions about LOCKTITE.
Current towed is due for inspection next time I have it raised but dealer assures me Locktite was used.
ONE: the instructions for the break-a-way say not to have it attached to any part of the tow system, THus the switch should NOT have been attached to the base plate.. NOR should the motor home end be hooked to the loop for the safety cables like the dealer did mine (The dealer at least attached the switch to the towed not the base plate.
WHY: in my case two brackets broke on the motor home, dropped the cross bar the RECEIVER is welded to on the ground.. Break-a-way and all, thankfully the car tracked true and one wire remained hooked, The Brakes, so it stopped when I stopped. Guess I had it set right.
The base plate:
On mine.. A routine inspection found 2 bolts loose and one missing.. Seems the dealer forgot to read the line in the instructions about LOCKTITE.
Current towed is due for inspection next time I have it raised but dealer assures me Locktite was used.
