Brake away cord

[dawn24]

Can any one tell me where this cord is supposed to attach to your truck?

[mark0224]

attaches to the same spot your chains are hooked at or at least that's where I was told to put it.

[dawn24]

Thanks!

[Steveandhedda]

Just make sure it is attached to the tow vehicle and not the chains.

[mhartzel]

Find a spot on the frame of your TV to attach it to.
If the receiver fails and the safety chain loops come off, it won't do you any good to have the breakaway connected there


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[KyDan]

Originally Posted by mhartzel

Find a spot on the frame of your TV to attach it to.
If the receiver fails and the safety chain loops come off, it won't do you any good to have the breakaway connected there

Yes that is the standard safe answer but in reality- I don't have any
place any where near my hitch to connect it to other than the receiver.
I'd have to lengthen my break away cable and crawl underneath my
truck each time I connected or removed it. Not gonna happen.

If my receiver tears off my truck there will be so much sh-- flying around
back there the breakaway cable will likely be pulled out!
YMMV

[rattleNsmoke]

The receiver is fine. The ball would pop off the hitch before the receiver would let go.

[prof_fate]

I use a caribiner and attach to where the chains go on the hitch.

[KyDan]

Many of us do that but you do need to make sure your brakeaway cable
is slightly shorter than your chains.
In the event of a ball/hitch failure
you NEED the brakeaway cable to pull out of the socket -before- the chains
get tight.
Annnnnnd you need the brakeaway cable to be long enough so it doesn't
pull out when you're maneuvering around a corner!

[mark0224]

Originally Posted by prof_fate

I use a caribiner and attach to where the chains go on the hitch.

x2 but make sure its a heavy one not a cheap one you don't want it to break if it does get used also don't use the spring loaded type use the ones with the threaded nut closure. With any luck none of us will ever use this.

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Many of us do that but you do need to make sure your brakeaway cable
is slightly shorter than your chains.
In the event of a ball/hitch failure
you NEED the brakeaway cable to pull out of the socket -before- the chains
get tight.

Never thought of that. But from the factory, mine was longer.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by mhartzel

Find a spot on the frame of your TV to attach it to.
If the receiver fails and the safety chain loops come off, it won't do you any good to have the breakaway connected there


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This is the (Correct) answer! It is up to the individual if they choose to Deviate! Youroo!!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Never thought of that. But from the factory, mine was longer.

They don't know what length set up the owner will have. The safety cable adjustment is part of (Hitch Setup). Youroo!!

[Cajun Po-Boy]

When I had TT's, I used this type of breakaway line (red)...worked great!

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

Attachment 52849

When I had TT's, I used this type of breakaway line (red)...worked great!

But will it pull the pin before the safety chains go tight???
No chains visible in the photo....

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

Attachment 52849

When I had TT's, I used this type of breakaway line (red)...worked great!

Those will not pull before the chains get tight and I would not use unless it was shortened.

[thebrakeman]

The cord should be attached to something that is welded to the TV. Since my SUV chain loops are welded to the hitch, and the hitch is welded to the frame (integral part of the from), I simply use the chain. But I thought all pickups had a special loop welded to the frame just for this purpose. Usually near the hitch/coupler, but not actually attached to the receiver.

OK. I've heard different theories on this. Please don't flame me, but here has been my understanding, of the order if things should go wrong:
1. Ball shank breaks, or coupler otherwise disengages from tow vehicle.
2. Tongue is "caught" by the crossed safety chains, but everything else still intact. Trailer is squirrely, but still being pulled by the chains, and braked by the controller. Pull over as best you can, and hopefully the chains don't break. If successful, you've still saved the trailer.
3. If the chains fail, then the breakaway pin gets pulled.

If the breakaway had been pulled first (full 12volts!), the result could be broken chains from the impact load (TV still on the throttle, trailer in full braking). I would first prefer to attempt a semi-controlled stop rather than sacrifice the trailer.

[Happy Vibe]

The way brakeman described how the breakaway cable works is how I have always read.

[epicloopers]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

The cord should be attached to something that is welded to the TV. Since my SUV chain loops are welded to the hitch, and the hitch is welded to the frame (integral part of the from), I simply use the chain. But I thought all pickups had a special loop welded to the frame just for this purpose. Usually near the hitch/coupler, but not actually attached to the receiver.

OK. I've heard different theories on this. Please don't flame me, but here has been my understanding, of the order if things should go wrong:
1. Ball shank breaks, or coupler otherwise disengages from tow vehicle.
2. Tongue is "caught" by the crossed safety chains, but everything else still intact. Trailer is squirrely, but still being pulled by the chains, and braked by the controller. Pull over as best you can, and hopefully the chains don't break. If successful, you've still saved the trailer.
3. If the chains fail, then the breakaway pin gets pulled.

If the breakaway had been pulled first (full 12volts!), the result could be broken chains from the impact load (TV still on the throttle, trailer in full braking). I would first prefer to attempt a semi-controlled stop rather than sacrifice the trailer.

This was my understanding of this too.

[CLT]

The tech who installed my hitch said my breakaway cord was too short so he got me another cord off another TT in the lot. Now I'm concerned that what I have is too long. It is about a foot longer than the one I originally had.