Breakaway cable advice

[Linda_374232561]

I need some reassurance to save me worrying over the holiday...

We keep our caravan at a storage site. When we unhitched there after a weekend away last week, I mistakenly told my husband to move the car away from the caravan when the breakaway cable was still attached. Of course he was only doing 2 miles an hour, but nevertheless the cable snapped before I could stop him.

It was dark and raining, so I didn't do anything about it at the time.

Once the legs were down, I took off the handbrake, as I always do.

I won't be able to visit the caravan again until an hour or two before we go away at New Year, so I'll only have a short amount to time to fix things before our next holiday.

Two questions: I know I can easily buy a new breakaway cable from the local caravan shop. Bit is it going to be easy to fit? What should I expect to do, and will I need tools?

Secondly: I know that pulling on the cable would have engaged the caravan brake. Will taking off the handbrake have disengaged this brake (is it all the same brake) or will I need to do something else to get the brake off again?

I'm worried that having engaged the caravan brake by pulling on the cable, I won't be able to get it off again.

I'm sure these are all stupid questions, but if someone could set me straight I could enjoy Christmas!

 

[Linda_374232561]

Sorry, wrong forum.... have now moved to Technical.

 

[Heidi_374226052]

Hi linda,don't panic.

The breakaway cable is atatched to the lower part of your handbrake lever;It is very doubtful you have damaged anything,in fact 99.999% sure you won't have.

To remove whats left of your old cable should take a couple of min's with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers,likewise refitting should take about the same.

If you can,do it in daylight makes the job a lot easier.

Merry Christmas,Heidi's hubby.

 

[Linda_374232561]

So: Just say that again slowly... there's only one brake, so putting the handbrake on and off again will have correctly disengaged it?

And I can go back to wrapping presents in peace?

Thanks for the advice... nothing with this caravan ever seems to happen in daylight, but I appreciate that lying under the handbrake lever in the dark (and probably rain) wouldn't be a good start to our next holiday!

 

[MikeP]

Confirmed - the breakaway cable pulls on the bottom of the handbrake mechanism to pull it on, and the ratchet keeps it on. Simply release the handbrake as usual and the brakes are off. The cable attaches with a split ring, which can be difficult to get on. You'll need a screwdriver and pliers/grips.

 

[Dick]

I can't understand why they don't make the breakaway switch the way the do on US caravans (RV's). There is a piece on the cable that pulls loose from the switch in turn closing the contact and setting the brake. If accidentally pulled loose it can be reinserted into the switch with no problem.

Dick

 

[MikeP]

There is a simple answer. Most caravans have over-run brakes, which are operated mechanically rather than electrically. Therefore they require a mechanical safety device.

 

[Lutz]

Yes, electric brakes on caravans are illegal over on this side of the Atlantic.