Wire safety leash for towing?

Also, be careful and don't remove the pin from the breakaway switch unintentionally as it applies full battery power to the electric brakes and will run your battery down pretty quick. It's fine to pull it for a short period on a regular basis to test it but don't leave the pin out.

Thanks guys for the input. I did buy from a dealer, but it was delivered from out of state so I didn't get the standard walk through. I watched the DVD they made for us, but it wasn't mentioned.

I'll find a fixed point to attach to on my truck. Thanks for all the responses.

There are only about 10 states that don't have the break away switch requirements and their scattered all over the USA.
If the op plans on out of state trips he most likely will go through a state that requires the system.

If the wire or cable he is asking about is for that system I would hook it all up. Great safety devise.

Oasisbob wrote:
Yes, very important. It should be looped over the end of your safety chainwhere it connects to your truck on either side. Be sure it does not get pulled tight when turning. The trailer end pulls a pin in case of emergency locking the trailer brakes.

It should NOT be looped over the safety chain hook. Chains, towbars and even hitches can break free. It should be connected to a solid point on the vehicle.

Some states require breakaways, others don't. There's no federal (DOT) requirement, at least for non-commercial trailers.

This is required and enforced by US DOT SAFETY Laws if your trailer is equipped with Electric brakes.

You also must have a working 12VDC Battery setup when you are towing your trailer. The DC power to operate your Electric Brakes will come from your working on-board 12VDC battery setup.

Not having all of this working on your trailer in the event of an Emergency Break-away event could go against your Insurance claim and even could result in a fine from US DOT Safety Law Enforcement folks.

Kinda of important in my way of thinking...

If any of what you have needs replaced or repaired etc... look on ETRAILER.com for replacement items...

Roy Ken

New2Rv's wrote:
Hi new owner here. Getting ready for my first road adventure tomorrow. Noticed that there is a wire cable, small thickness coming from under the tongue of my trailer. Is this supposed to be hooked to something on my truck?

It's to light of gauge wire to be anything that security related?

I hope you didn't buy your trailer from a dealer. If so, they should have throughly explained all of this to you before you left the lot.

Thanks for asking us about this instead of just guessing. It's as been explained by others and is extremely important

It is important,and must be hooked up to a place that is attached a solid place on the TV. It is required by law in most states (according to the weight of the unit)and each state is different. I did change my cable for one from Tractor supply that is a coiled cord like a telephone handset, I do not have to worry about it dragging as it stretches and recoils as needed.

It's your safety break away cable. You attach it to a solid part on your bumper or hitch. Then if your trailer becomes disconnected from your truck, it pulls a "pin" out on your trailer which activates the trailer brakes to stop the trailer. It does not carry any current or power through it.

Others will probably offer more technical detail. But yes, use it.

Bill