Break away cable

[irish31790]

Hi folks,

I’m a long time travel trailer owner who just upgraded to a fifth wheel. I have seen multiple references to people incorrectly looping the breakaway cable over their hitch arm. My rv dealer did exactly that when I took delivery of the new 5er. My question is, where should I attach the breakaway cable?

Thanks,

Mr. B

[SugarHillCTD]

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.

[Bird_Freak]

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.

[JW_of_Opechee_S]

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

[JW_of_Opechee_S]

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

[laknox]

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

[laknox]

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

[laknox]

Retired JSO wrote:
I have a B&W Companion. The hitch arm locks in place with a snap pin. I put the pin through the loop and onto the locking arm.

Same with me.

Lyle

[ZeeLet50]

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.

[Cummins12V98]

Me Again wrote:
The left rear puck lever/handle was what I did. You just have to be careful that it does not get tangled in something and pulled out.

Chris

Same here, I use the coiled cable. It always stays up and out from getting caught.

[Me_Again]

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.

[ford_truck_guy]

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

I have a clip on mine as well and it's near the bottom of the base. I DID turn the base towards the ground so it is a straight pull if in fact that happens.

[padredw]

I'm entirely with "Old Biscuit" and have been following his procedure for 23 years.

[Pipeman]

I attach my break away cable to the hitch via the hole where the hitch handle can be locked when closed. A small padlock fits into the hole and the cable hooks onto the hasp and then closed to the lock position. I've had 2 5th wheel trailers and this is how I've always attached the break away cable. The lock serves 2 purposes, keep the hitch handle from being pulled open by some idiot, who might pull the handle to the open position while I and my wife take a break at a rest area and keeps the breakaway cable in a safe place while traveling.

[jaycocamprs]

MarkTwain wrote:

Me Again wrote:
The left rear puck lever/handle was what I did. You just have to be careful that it does not get tangled in something and pulled out.

Chris

Too avoid tangles, cut a 5" piece of clear plastic tube, slit the tube, insert the wire in the tube. This will keep the wire from tangling up on the hitch.

I also use the latching handle. Also use the coiled cable.

[MarkTwain]

Me Again wrote:
The left rear puck lever/handle was what I did. You just have to be careful that it does not get tangled in something and pulled out.

Chris

Too avoid tangles, cut a 5" piece of clear plastic tube, slit the tube, insert the wire in the tube. This will keep the wire from tangling up on the hitch.