Community Forums

Dawwg · 07-09-2012, 03:37 PM

Could someone tell me where you should connect the breakaway Brake wire that engages the brakes if the trailer comes loose. I am new at this and the dealer advised to connect it to the chain. I don't think that could be right, because the trailer could come off and the chain stay attached. Thanks for the help. Also need help on a good tongue jack. TT weighs 7,000lb.

srydve · 07-09-2012, 04:28 PM

Somewhere convienent on the frame of the tow vehicle is how I always do it.

BCooke · 07-09-2012, 04:42 PM

The brake wire is for a run away trailer (if it comes completely off of your vehicle) then it uses the trailer battery to activate the brake. I got a spring clip rated for a couple hundred pounds and clip it to the vehicle.

Midniteoyl · 07-09-2012, 04:44 PM

Put it through one of the hitch loops for the chain.. is prolly what he meant..

Eddie Foy · 07-09-2012, 05:31 PM

It needs to attach to the vehicle in a way that if the whole hitch leaves the line will be pulled. Do not attach it to the hitch. If the hitch departs (it happens) it will not function.

wa8yxm · 07-09-2012, 06:37 PM

IT should be attached to the vehicle itself, NOT the hitch or bumper but the frame of the vehicle itself, near the center so that it won't be pulled by cornering.. NOTE most of the cables provided, are not long enough to be properly attached so an extension may be needed, the extension is not critical as to materials, just make sure it's strong enough. You can get that kind of cable, and the clamps needed to clamp it, any hardware store.

iF needed you could run the extension through one of the loops on the hitch to "Center" it.

Mr_D · 07-09-2012, 06:56 PM

On our KK460 Kar Kaddy I had to find a really secure location to attach the break away as it's a mechanical setup. I took small, stainless, aircraft cable and ran it through the frame (not the hitch) on both sides, then used double wire clamps to hold it. The cable has over 600#'s lifting strength. Then I just clip the breakaway cable from the dolly to the frame. This is on a 41' diesel pusher so the frame is pretty stout!

Midniteoyl · 07-10-2012, 09:27 AM

Oh, I agree it should be on the frame of the tow vehicle itself, however

, most cable are not long enough (as pointed out) and most salesmen dont know better and think its only there in case the coupler slips off the ball - which I have seen many, many times.

Dawwg · 07-11-2012, 09:54 PM

Thanks everyone. I got a heavy duty spring clip and clipped the wire to were the chains are hooked to. It appears that my hitch and frame are welded together at the factory as a one piece frame/hitch. Thanks again. Going camping for the first time in 15 years. Should be interesting. Ha!

Mr_D · 07-11-2012, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw7128jw

Thanks everyone. I got a heavy duty spring clip and clipped the wire to were the chains are hooked to. It appears that my hitch and frame are welded together at the factory as a one piece frame/hitch. Thanks again. Going camping for the first time in 15 years. Should be interesting. Ha!

I've seen the frame/hitch welds break and guess where your break away is hooked to? Yep, the chains and break away cable will still be securely hooked to the hitch lying on the road.

Dawwg · 07-12-2012, 06:47 AM

I really see no other choice. There is no other frame in the back of the Ford Sport Trac.

wa8yxm · 07-12-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

My hitch and frame are welded..

Same with mine, so that's how come I know to hook the break-away to something OTHER than the hitch, you see, the cross bar (Frame member) broke away from the rest of the frame and dropped the hitch, break-away cable and all, right on the ground.

Thankfully other safety devices worked as designed so there was no secondary damage to the car.. Just to my bicycle which rides on the same hitch (Back tire hit the pavement and was promptly toast).

I think I paid 40 bucks to fix the hitch, 75 for the neew bicycle wheel, properly trued, and was back to 100%. IN fact, closer to 150 percent considering the re-build job they did.

Lindsay Richards · 07-12-2012, 08:00 PM

I have used the breakaway system myself when the pin came out of one side of my baseplate attachment. This was 100% stupidity on my part, but then I realized that the natural tendency when you look thru your side mirror and your toad is trying to pass you is to slam on your coach brakes. The brakeaway comes on and your toad (mine now attached with only one arm) immediately has it's brakes on and calms down behind the coach. Without the breakaway it smashes into the back of your coach. I now use a clinch pin that makes it almost impossible to fall out. It is real easy to become lax in toad hookup, but you have thousands of pounds traveling 60 mph and you have to do it right every time.