Breakaway cable fixing
Some time ago there was a discussion on CT about the correct method of attaching a breakaway cable - should it be just looped round the tow ball or fixed directly.
Well local west country news may have just answered the question! A campaign called "tow safe for Freddie" has been launched (named after a 3 year old Bristol boy sadly killed by a runaway trailer last year). As part of the campaign, the DVSA have produced a short video showing what should be done. The breakaway cable is shown just looped round the towball and clipped back onto itself. Now this is for trailers but presumably is the same for caravans.
Can't do the link thing but if you Google "towing with a far : safety checks" you should find the video.
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Hope this is right.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tow-a-trailer-with-a-car-safety-checks
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And that is the same government agency that has been issuing prohibition notices to people who have done just that!
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And that is the same government agency that has been issuing prohibition notices to people who have done just that!
Yes that was what struck me! I couldn't remember the origins of the original thread on here but I thought that was the case!
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I did ask on the last thread whether or not the CC had received notification from DVSA that they had informed their inspectors of how the regulation should be applied but the CC being what it is nothing more was heard. So nice to know that maybe the message got through.
You'd think the CC heirarchy would want to claim some credit wouldn't you, but I suppose they're gripped by apathy.
Edit - Thanks to Moulesy for the heads up.
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Looping round the bracket or through a lopp designed for that purpose both work exactly the same way. The clip is still under the same strain both ways. You should not loop it round the tow bar itself though if an alternative is possible.
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Interesting point in the short video is that the clip on the cable had the carabena type clip which is intended for clipping to a hole in the tow bracket, not the spring type that is designed to hook back on the cable.
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I had to replace my old break-away cable, as I'd stretched it by driving forward with it hooked round the tow ball, so got a carabina type which I now hook through the appropriate hole in the tow bar assembly.
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'Tis easily done, especially if some-one is talking to you at the time....upsets the routine.
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I think most of us have unhitched the caravan and driven away without unclipping the breakaway if we have been caravanning long enough. I have ..... mind you that was probably 23 years ago.
I've not
but .... I believe it's somewhat difficult to tow a caravan if you leave the mover engaged ....
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I think most of us have unhitched the caravan and driven away without unclipping the breakaway if we have been caravanning long enough. I have ..... mind you that was probably 23 years ago.
I've not
but .... I believe it's somewhat difficult to tow a caravan if you leave the mover engaged ....
You found that as well ?
I also found it hard to use the movers withe the habd brake on!!
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I think most of us have unhitched the caravan and driven away without unclipping the breakaway if we have been caravanning long enough. I have ..... mind you that was probably 23 years ago.
I've not
but .... I believe it's somewhat difficult to tow a caravan if you leave the mover engaged ....
You found that as well ?
I also found it hard to use the movers withe the habd brake on!!
Yep ..... done that too
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I think I have done all of the above!
So glad my Outlander has an "easy" eye to attach the breakaway cable to. I was advised - if you have no "eye" that you are safer to loop it over the tow bar AND pull it tight - so there is little danger of it jumping off - as it could if only loosely looped?
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But my point was that a carabiniere type clip was not supplied with our caravan, it was a spring type clip. So if I replace factory fitted, essential safety equipment, that cannot be right, can it?
So I use the standard-fitted clip and wrap it around the towbar and clip it to itself.
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if I replace factory fitted, essential safety equipment, that cannot be right, can it?
Could be right - if it is not the correct piece of safety equipment for the circumstances. Up to the user to get the right kit. Alternatives are available.
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But my point was that a carabiniere type clip was not supplied with our caravan, it was a spring type clip. So if I replace factory fitted, essential safety equipment, that cannot be right, can it?
So I use the standard-fitted clip and wrap it around the towbar and clip it to itself.
Perhaps both are right and the caravan maker fitted the cheaper option.
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I think most of us have unhitched the caravan and driven away without unclipping the breakaway if we have been caravanning long enough. I have ..... mind you that was probably 23 years ago.
I've not
but .... I believe it's somewhat difficult to tow a caravan if you leave the mover engaged ....
You found that as well ?
I also found it hard to use the movers withe the habd brake on!!
Yep ..... done that too
Done both of those too,and more than once, I think.
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But my point was that a carabiniere type clip was not supplied with our caravan, it was a spring type clip. So if I replace factory fitted, essential safety equipment, that cannot be right, can it?
So I use the standard-fitted clip and wrap it around the towbar and clip it to itself.
Perhaps both are right and the caravan maker fitted the cheaper option.
Could be right. On the the Alko spares page the replacement spring type sell at £4.95 whilst the carabena type are £8.50.
Both types must 'comply' are they are supplied by Alko (other brands are available) and they have to be seen as a 'Consumable' item. Yes, I have also moved off with it still attached!
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Personally I think the biggest issue is wether you are using a removeable tow bar or fixed.
If fixed I see no issue wrapping around as shown in the video with either type of clip.
I however have a removable tow bar and tehre is no way on earth I would ever consider wrapping around the tow bar.
I have a carabiner clip break away cable and it is clipped to a permanent part of my car.
I want to know that if the removebable tow bar detatched the caravan would brake normally, if it detatched with the wrap around, well that is just an unguided weapon! :-(
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Personally I think the biggest issue is wether you are using a removeable tow bar or fixed.
If fixed I see no issue wrapping around as shown in the video with either type of clip.
I however have a removable tow bar and tehre is no way on earth I would ever consider wrapping around the tow bar.
I have a carabiner clip break away cable and it is clipped to a permanent part of my car.
I want to know that if the removebable tow bar detatched the caravan would brake normally, if it detatched with the wrap around, well that is just an unguided weapon! :-(
You are correct. With a detachable towbar you should not use the detachable head as while very rare it is possible for that to come adrift although it is so rare I would not let it put you off.
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Should a trailer detach from a tow ball (for whatever reason) it is likely be in a situation where the trailer has negative nose weight and a forward motion in relation to the tow vehicle. Exactly the same situation as would allow a loop of breakaway cable
to also jump off the ball. Just because that practice appears to be legal does not make it safe. A dead child is still dead even if the driver feels exonerated.0 -
For what it may be worth I was advised on the CC handling course that the reason not to fasten the cable back on itself around the tow ball was if the bolts holding the tow ball become loose or detached then the caravan would also be free as well. I was
advised to use the corrrect loop on the tow bar fitting to attach for complete security.I have however noticed that on my later caravans that the supplied clip will not fit through the eye on the fitting so I also have had to use a carabena. Sg20
