Electric Brakes Break Away Cable?

[sarmay]

I am not sure where to put this, but can anyone tell me if the 560 with electric brake option comes equipped with a break away cable to engage the trailer brakes if the camper comes unhitched?

 

[Ken & Peggy]

I am not sure where to put this, but can anyone tell me if the 560 with electric brake option comes equipped with a break away cable to engage the trailer brakes if the camper comes unhitched?

I have a 550, but I'm sure the 560 will be the same - equipped with the break away cable. I'm sure a 560 owner will chime in soon.

 

[Henry]

Yes it does.

 

[sarmay]

Thank you!

 

[The Short Short Trailer]

Hi Sarmay,

As you probably know it is important to set it shorter than the chains or else the brakes will not engage. Congratulations if you already purchased your trailer. They are well built and super fun to use.

Cheers,
-Ken

 

[sarmay]

Hi Sarmay,

As you probably know it is important to set it shorter than the chains or else the brakes will not engage. Congratulations if you already purchased your trailer. They are well built and super fun to use.

Cheers,
-Ken

Thanks, Ken. I haven't purchased yet, but I'm trying to determine what extras I will need.

 

[rotus8]

Hi Sarmay,
As you probably know it is important to set it shorter than the chains or else the brakes will not engage. Congratulations if you already purchased your trailer. They are well built and super fun to use.

Cheers,
-Ken

You need to be careful doing this, you might activate the emergency braking doing a sharp turn. Even if the hitch becomes undone, the chains will contain the trailer, the emergency braking is not necessary. It is really only important to engage the brakes if the trailer comes unhitched AND the chains fail.

 

[Ken & Peggy]

You need to be careful doing this, you might activate the emergency braking doing a sharp turn. Even if the hitch becomes undone, the chains will contain the trailer, the emergency braking is not necessary. It is really only important to engage the brakes if the trailer comes unhitched AND the chains fail.

^^THIS^^

 

[rotus8]

Another note on this, be sure to cross the safety chains when hooking up. If the chains are crossed and the ball comes loose, the chains will cradle the hitch and keep it from dropping to the road. It is also easier to get the chain length right so they don't drag or get tight in a corner. You can also use the crossed chains to guide your electrical cable to keep it from dragging.

 

[sneakerwave]

Where is the best place to connect the breakaway cable at the TV end? I read differing opinions online.

 

[rotus8]

Every vehicle and hitch is different, so you need to experiment to find a place that is strong, the right distance, and convenient to attach. The last place to consider is the hitch loops that are used for the chains. In a violent event that compromises the chains, this loop could be broken releasing the breakaway cable before it is activated. In my case. the hitch has a 2" tube as part of the structure and I wrap the cable around that.

 

[Randy]

I replaced my original cable with one on these. Much neater.

Amazon.com: Fastway 80-01-2204 Zip Breakway Cable with Pin, 4': Automotive

 

[SethB]

As you probably know it is important to set it shorter than the chains or else the brakes will not engage.

This is a little confusing. Brakes engage with the pedal, of course, if you’ve a correctly wired brake controller.

The breakaway circuit is for when the trailer unexpectely disconnects from the ball and safety chains. I think it’s a DOT requirement for trailers with brakes, that they have a breakaway circuit. I’d not want it to activate other than in a true breakaway situation - so a cable that is *longer* than the safety chains seems best, and, be careful of getting it fouled on anything that might pull the pin from the switch.