Forum Discussion

waynefi's avatar
waynefi
Explorer
Oct 13, 2018

Brake emergency (breakaway) cable problem

I had an interesting experience with a trailer emergency brake cable, the one that activates the brake if the trailer breaks loose from the TV. I came back to the trailer, and saw the switch end of the cable sitting on the ground. My first thought was that I had been towing with the brake on, and burned out my brakes. But I tried reconnecting it and activating the brake with the controller knob, and everything seemed OK. I tried moving the vehicle with the switch pulled, and it was immediately obvious, very jerky, so no way was I driving with it out.

I have no idea what made it come out. I wasn't doing any rough roads or hard turns just before that. I have towed this rig for close to 30000 miles and never had a problem before.

I'm not sure what the best way to connect the cable to the TV is. The cable is a bit long. If I just hook the cable to the truck near the hitch, the cable is long enough that it almost rubs the ground, so I snake the cable across the hitch to take up the slack. I think that getting the right length is tricky. If the trailer ever came off the hitch, and was being dragged by the safety chains, I would want the brake to be applied, right? The full length of the cable is long enough it probably wouldn't get pulled. But if I take up too much slack, it could get pulled accidentally. I'm not sure what the perfect length is.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Oct 16, 2018
    bguy wrote:
    Once the brakes lock you have no more control of the trailer. I personally have no desire to be attached to an 8-10 thousand pound out of control trailer hoping it stays in line and doesn't come around on me.
    The system is intended to apply full brake once the trailer comes completely detached from the vehicle.

    I have a hard time visualizing how a trailer with the brakes locked can "come around on me." It seems to me that the locked brakes will hold the trailer as far to the rear as they can.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Oct 15, 2018
    If some of you put as much time into making sure your hitch was connected as you do talking about the what if’s, if it falls off, you’d never have to worry about needing the breakaway. ....
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    Oct 15, 2018
    bguy wrote:
    LarryJM wrote:
    EXACTLY and more importantly instead of fiddling with your brake controller and trying to use just enough trailer brakes to keep the trailer from running over you I want to keep BOTH HANDS on the steering wheel with my FULL AND UNDIVIDED ATTENTION to what's infront of me and let whatever is happening behind me do what it will and keeping the TV under control and from running into the ditch until things slow down enough that the underwear staining scenario is more in control. This whole scenario should only be seconds long until your speed is down to within reason.

    Larry


    Once the brakes lock you have no more control of the trailer. I personally have no desire to be attached to an 8-10 thousand pound out of control trailer hoping it stays in line and doesn't come around on me.

    If one trys and fiddle with the brakes with the TT only attached by the chains that IMO is a SURE WAY to have the trailer go off center and pull you with it into the ditch. With the chains crossed and full brakes applied on the trailer brakes will keep the trailer directly behind you in the direction of travel while slowing down at a constant rate both the TV and TT and allow you to keep control of the TV.

    The system is intended to apply full brake once the trailer comes completely detached from the vehicle.

    Well that is your OPINION even if though not correct;)


    Larry
  • bguy's avatar
    bguy
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2018
    LarryJM wrote:
    EXACTLY and more importantly instead of fiddling with your brake controller and trying to use just enough trailer brakes to keep the trailer from running over you I want to keep BOTH HANDS on the steering wheel with my FULL AND UNDIVIDED ATTENTION to what's infront of me and let whatever is happening behind me do what it will and keeping the TV under control and from running into the ditch until things slow down enough that the underwear staining scenario is more in control. This whole scenario should only be seconds long until your speed is down to within reason.

    Larry


    Once the brakes lock you have no more control of the trailer. I personally have no desire to be attached to an 8-10 thousand pound out of control trailer hoping it stays in line and doesn't come around on me.
    The system is intended to apply full brake once the trailer comes completely detached from the vehicle.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2018
    Bumpyroad wrote:
    Turtle n Peeps wrote:

    OP buy yourself a kit from the hardware store so you can shorted your cable just a little shorter than your safety chains. It will take a little time but it will be worth it. Then go camping.


    I don't understand the "kit" suggestion. I would think one $1.98 fitting could be used to adjust length.
    bumpy



    Sorry Bump, this is what I meant.

    A ferrule and thimble in one kit. Most of the trailers I have dealt with the cables are drug about in half too. If the cable is in good shape then the above kit will work fine. Or even just a ferrule.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2018
    Turtle n Peeps wrote:

    OP buy yourself a kit from the hardware store so you can shorted your cable just a little shorter than your safety chains. It will take a little time but it will be worth it. Then go camping.


    I don't understand the "kit" suggestion. I would think one $1.98 fitting could be used to adjust length.
    bumpy
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2018
    This has been brought up many times before. As I have explained before you are correct Larry.

    If your trailer comes off of the ball you want your trailer to brake so it will straighten the whole mess out. Much like when a drag car gets in trouble the first thing they teach you is to pull the parachute.

    How do I know this. Because I had the experience of riding with a person that this happened to when I was a kid. Anybody that suggests they can get to the manual brake when this happens does not have a clue how violent things can get.

    OP buy yourself a kit from the hardware store so you can shorted your cable just a little shorter than your safety chains. It will take a little time but it will be worth it. Then go camping.
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2018
    EXACTLY and more importantly instead of fiddling with your brake controller and trying to use just enough trailer brakes to keep the trailer from running over you I want to keep BOTH HANDS on the steering wheel with my FULL AND UNDIVIDED ATTENTION to what's infront of me and let whatever is happening behind me do what it will and keeping the TV under control and from running into the ditch until things slow down enough that the underwear staining scenario is more in control. This whole scenario should only be seconds long until your speed is down to within reason.

    Larry
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2018
    I'm with Larry on this one. If the trailer is just connected by the safety chains, I want the trailer brakes locked, holding the trailer back.
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2018
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Cable should just be slightly longer then the safety chains.

    I disagree and believe just the opposite

    Should trailer become unhitched and chains still attached then the umbilical cord is still connected so you have control over braking...

    Again I disagree, no way do I want to try and break a trailer manually that is only connected by the safety chains

    IF trailer breaks free...unhitched/chains break/umbilical cord pulls out...then is when you want the Emergency Break Away cable to pull the pin out activating the trailer brakes during that runaway situation


    Larry

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