Breakaway cable pin question

[Fluffywhitedogs]

I replaced my worn breakaway cable today. When I pulled the pin out to attach the new cable, I noticed that there was a rubber washer around it, near the outside. The rubber was corroded and fell off.
How important is it? The washer alone doesn’t seem to be sold, so should I buy another cable WITH a new pin, find a washer that’s close, or just not worry about it?

[Fluffywhitedogs]

And of course, found the “running gear etc” category right after I posted [emoji849]

[Flybob]

A complete new switch with wires and cable on Amazon is less than$9.

[Fluffywhitedogs]

Originally Posted by Flybob

A complete new switch with wires and cable on Amazon is less than$9.

I’d rather not rewire anything if I don’t have to [emoji51]

[Flybob]

It's two simple splices.

[Fluffywhitedogs]

Educate me (not being snarky), why would you replace the whole switch rather than just the pin?

[uhduh camping]

You could take remains to hardware store to match it up with an O ring. I had to replace a couple of switches. Most recently when my unit was new, the switch only worked intermittently. Certainly was not driving 4 hrs for dealer to replace a $10 part. Replacing switch is easy, I highly doubt you can buy just a replacement pin anyway. They may look a little different but they work the same and install in the same general fashion.

[dalford]

I guess what flybob was trying to say is that the part is dirt cheap.

You are now learning a saying I use all the time. “Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand all the problems.”

By just replacing the “Pin” you now have a post concerning the stuff that fell off and if it is important or not? Who knows but you can buy the whole kit and kobodle for $9.... just sayin..

[madatme]

Originally Posted by Fluffywhitedogs

Educate me (not being snarky), why would you replace the whole switch rather than just the pin?

would rather it work now then maybe not later, water intrusion. 9 bucks now or hit the windshield

[Wileykid]

I think what is being said, is your comment of "corroded". Did you mean corroded, or the rubber was brittle from the UV? Either way, if the rubber was not doing its job due to the condition it was in, then it would be safe to say that you have/had water intrusion in the switch. It is a safety item, for less than $9, you replace it with a new one, and the piece of mind.

[OldCoot]

Unhook the battery, take the pin to NAPA or any auto parts store and get an O ring to fit it.

[ben31]

I agree with Flybob. I like to fix a problem once. You are already seeing why. First you had to find a pin, then you need to find an O-ring, what next? For about $9, you can get a whole new assembly, which you know will work. Do it once, get it done, and you don't need to worry about it again for a few years.

No one is saying you can't do it piecemeal, but you see how much additional work you are doing to get it done.

[Fluffywhitedogs]

Thanks for all the replies. New assembly ordered...

[JohnD10]

Get one of these breakaway cables, too:

https://www.campingworld.com/fastway...cable-6-length

I love mine!

[Fluffywhitedogs]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

Get one of these breakaway cables, too:

https://www.campingworld.com/fastway...cable-6-length

I love mine!

That’s what I just put on! And the set I ordered has that, plus the pin and box, so I now have a spare

[Jim in Halifax]

How many people actually "test" their break away switch?????????

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by Jim in Halifax

How many people actually "test" their break away switch?????????

I 'tested' mine the first time I took the 5'ver out on it's maiden voyage...

Just totally spaced out unhooking it when I unhitched and pulled away from the trailer!

[kandl]

Originally Posted by Jim in Halifax

How many people actually "test" their break away switch?????????

I'd been testing the OE switch at the beginning of every season. Did so in early May this year while checking the brakes and bearings. It worked fine. Little more than a week later, while heading south through BC to the Okanagan, we got caught up in a CVSE/RCMP safety blitz. BC's CVSE (Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement) dept carries out these safety blitzes every spring over a two or three day period and on a remote section of primary highway such that they're impractical to get around. Digressing... We got pulled out of the lineup for a brake check. Brake controller... check! Trailer brakes operational... check! Breakaway switch operation... nuthin! WTH! Just checked that thing a week ago! Had us pull off the highway alongside numerous other trailers (some old, some new) that all had one thing in common: Breakaway switch inop! We ended up having the TT towed back up the highway to civilization and had to overnight because, and as a result of the safety blitz, every auto parts retailer in town had exhausted their supply of breakaway switches.


There's not a heck of a lot of detail out there as regards breakaway switch failure modes, reliability or MTBF. However, they are relatively cheap and I'm thinking it may not be a bad idea to just outright replace the beast every three or so yrs.

[uhduh camping]

Originally Posted by Jim in Halifax

How many people actually "test" their break away switch?????????

I did not think it would be necessary but I had to cut wires and relocate switch. After i finished moving the switch it didn't work. I knew it my work was good so I started diagnosing the problem. Turns out it would work once out of about every five pulls. This was when the unit was brand new! So now I check it not just once but several pulls a couple times each year.

[doc73]

Along the lines of the break away.. I have not SEEN it yet on travel trailers.. But I do a lot of looking at work / commercial box and low boy trailers. In an effort to save money I have been seeing a lot of ONE TIME USE break aways... So it gets pulled and not it cannot be put back together and reused, a new "break away" needs to be installed before the trailer can be moved again.

Just an FYI so someone will look at their unit before giving it a tug. Again, I have not seen it on a TT but lets face it... If they can save $.25 a unit they will start to show up.