breakaway cable

Bigduke
Bigduke Forum Participant Posts: 8
edited August 2017 in Parts & Accessories #1

Hi, I have just purchased a range rover my problem is that the breakaway cable

is too short to reach the eye on the towbar. Is there a longer cable available to buy or another way of extending the cable

Comments

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #2

    That seems odd.  Yes, longer cables are available, but there is a European Standard for the provision of the eye and it should be close to the base of the towball..

  • Sianelen
    Sianelen Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited August 2017 #3

    We have a Range Rover Sport with a fixed tow bar and have been advised to fix the cable to one of the holes on the back plate that the tow ball is attached to. This brings it in line with what Navigateur has said.

  • Bigduke
    Bigduke Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited August 2017 #4

    thanks for your replies, I have a detachable tow ball which makes the tow bar a long way from the towball

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2017 #5

    Though not on  RR, I also have a detachable bar on my car (Merc R Class ) and the break away easily reaches the loop on the towbar undecided

  • Bigduke
    Bigduke Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited August 2017 #6

    from the centre of the tow ball to eye is 12 inches

    I have included a photo

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2017 #7

    If it doesn't reach can you loop it round the tow ball or is this illegal?  Mine reaches the eye on the detachable ok (Outlander) - seems odd that a towbar etc should not be ok for a breakaway I think I would ask whoever fitted it?    I had a breakaway fail and that is scary so they do need to be right - I was extremely lucky no serious damage was done to any of the passers by etc etc.  The caravan jumped onto the opposite verge and stopped on its own. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2017 #8

    Just seen your picture - that looks like a very long way to the ball.  I don't detach mine as I am scared to re-attach wrongly!  But mine doesn't stick out that far.  

  • IanTG
    IanTG Forum Participant Posts: 419
    100 Comments
    edited August 2017 #9

    Whilst I don't have a RR (I have a Hyundai Santa Fe) my detachable towbar is mounted further under the car than what is shown in your pic. The socket that the detachable part fits into is right under the rear sill of the car, as opposed to sitting behind it as in the pic.

    as others have said, the cable is exactly the right length to reach the eye.

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2017 #10

    It certainly doesn't look like any genuine LR  one I've seen. My neighbour has a Disco 4 and his detachable doesn't extend as much as that nor my Son's factory fitted one on his FL2.

    Standard cable is 1 meter long ?

  • Bigduke
    Bigduke Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited August 2017 #11

    The tow bar is original LR so I might have to ask my LR dealer

    how to get over this problem

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2017 #12

    Fine if the breakaway cable is designed to do that. The "clip" type is not and must be looped around the tow ball itself. the reason is the clip will break (they snap off) before the brakes are fully applied in the event of an emergency.

    There have been a few posts on CT about this but good luck searching on this site.

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
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    edited August 2017 #13

    If anyone is unsure this explains the two types of attachment method.

    With attachment point.

    Without attachment point

  • Sianelen
    Sianelen Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited August 2017 #14

    We have the "clip" type recommended by ALKO 

    'Designed for direct attachment where designated towball mounting point exists.'

    and its on an ALKO chassis!

     

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2017 #15

    The post by milothedog shows clearly (and accurately) the two different types of attachments and their correct usage.

    Don't think the fact it's on an Alko chassis has got a lot to do with it. It's the other end we are discussing.wink

     

     

  • Sianelen
    Sianelen Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited August 2017 #16

    So you agree that your original statement  'The "clip" type is not and must be looped around the tow ball itself' is incorrect and misleading?undecided

     

     

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
    500 Comments
    edited August 2017 #17

    Change the breakaway cable. they are available in longer lengths and are very easy to change.

  • Freedom a whitebox
    Freedom a whitebox Club Member Posts: 296 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #18

    I have the clip type fitted to my bailey, and I can confirm that it's the caravan/handbrake end that deforms and detaches when used in anger or testing it in front of a full audience ( as I did after a demonstrating perfect reverse pitching ) 🙄

    The clip end stayed firmly attached to its dedicated attachment point 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #19

    I did that once too. laughing Probably 25 years ago.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #20

    I think the confusion is in terminology. They are both clips, just that the one for direct attachment is a caribena clip. Alko make it very clear that the only one designed for direct attachment is the caribena type. I agree it is the caravan end that fails. However, I replaced mine with the caribena type following an earlier thread highlighting the issue. Personally I think it ridiculous there are two types, the caribena one could also be used for looped attachment. Although I suppose it saves the caravan manufactures a few £. Both of our vans came fitted with the cheaper looped type, although one of the vans cost over 20k.

  • Shuckford
    Shuckford Forum Participant Posts: 63
    edited August 2017 #21

    Big D question for you, your photo does indicate that the ball extends a long way from the back of the car.

    Does your RR have a door mounted spare wheel? if so this may answer the question regarding its different shape to the norm.

    Maybe someone with a similar setup may be able to advise...

  • Bigduke
    Bigduke Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited August 2017 #22

    It does look as though the ball is a long way out but it is the photo that makes it look that way. I haven't got a door mounted spare wheel.

    Others that I've seen have the cable around the ball which I thought was the wrong way to do it.

     

     

     

     

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