Breakaway cable

[dougie201]

Hi folks.

How easy is it to replace a breakaway cable? As me being a divy managed to break mine . Cant see it being a big job as cable is not very long. Its on a bailey bordeaux.

Many thanks in advance.

Dougie.....

 

[dougie_374468830]

an easy job if its a BPW but if al-ko with the bursting ring, watch the fingers and put the swear box away out the road.

 

[Steve L]

Hi Dougie.

Changing a breakaway cable is quite easy. First of all go to you local Bailey dealer and purchase the replacement. By doing that you could well get a direct replacement part with a key ring type ring to attatch to the hand brake mechanisum.

The other version use's two u clamp assemblies to attatch the cable.

Apply the brakes and chock the wheels frot and back for safety.

Raise the front of the van as high as possible with the jockey wheel.

Look at the existing remains of the old cable and where it is fitted.

If the fitting is the key ring type its a simple task using a screw driver to open the ring and slide the old off and reverse process to fit the new.

If you have the clamp type, remove the old cable using spanners or a wire cutter/hacksaw.

Feed the new cable through the fitting hole. Lower the caravan and hook it to the car. Now just pull the caravan tight to the wheel chocks with the hand brake off, with the car. Attach the car end of the cable to the car, Using the first u clamp pinch the main cable and the tail with it and fit the clamp nuts.

Now adjust the cable length so that it doesn't drag on the ground or pulls tight on a tight turn. Using the first clamp in an easy to reach position tighten the nuts.

Now re-apply the brake and unhook the van winding the front up high again for easy access.

Using the second u clamp, fit that to the cable and tail leaving about 25mm between it and the brake lever thus creating a loop. Thighten the nuts of that u clamp. Now undo the clamp first fitted and slide it next to the clamp you have just fitted. tighten it back up with a spanner. Finally cut off the tail of cable left, leaving about 10mm spare sticking out.

Using the two u-clamps aid's fitting and also gives a double back up to avoid slippage of the joint.

The whole job takes about an hour and only uses standard tools available at any DIY store.

Atb Steve L.

 

[David_L]

Hi Dougie.

Changing a breakaway cable is quite easy. First of all go to you local Bailey dealer and purchase the replacement. By doing that you could well get a direct replacement part with a key ring type ring to attatch to the hand brake mechanisum.

The other version use's two u clamp assemblies to attatch the cable.

Apply the brakes and chock the wheels frot and back for safety.

Raise the front of the van as high as possible with the jockey wheel.

Look at the existing remains of the old cable and where it is fitted.

If the fitting is the key ring type its a simple task using a screw driver to open the ring and slide the old off and reverse process to fit the new.

If you have the clamp type, remove the old cable using spanners or a wire cutter/hacksaw.

Feed the new cable through the fitting hole. Lower the caravan and hook it to the car. Now just pull the caravan tight to the wheel chocks with the hand brake off, with the car. Attach the car end of the cable to the car, Using the first u clamp pinch the main cable and the tail with it and fit the clamp nuts.

Now adjust the cable length so that it doesn't drag on the ground or pulls tight on a tight turn. Using the first clamp in an easy to reach position tighten the nuts.

Now re-apply the brake and unhook the van winding the front up high again for easy access.

Using the second u clamp, fit that to the cable and tail leaving about 25mm between it and the brake lever thus creating a loop. Thighten the nuts of that u clamp. Now undo the clamp first fitted and slide it next to the clamp you have just fitted. tighten it back up with a spanner. Finally cut off the tail of cable left, leaving about 10mm spare sticking out.

Using the two u-clamps aid's fitting and also gives a double back up to avoid slippage of the joint.

The whole job takes about an hour and only uses standard tools available at any DIY store.

Atb Steve L.

Hi Guys

Is the bursting ring required on an Alko because I have nearly taken my fingers off

 

[tony_374580814]

ok

 

[Martin_E]

Make sure you get a breakaway cable that is the same as the original for the caravan, extensive tests are done to assure the cable will do as it is meant to do if and when required, if you fit the incorrect type and have an accident you could well find your insurance is void if the wrong type is fitted. AL-KO do two types normal and heavy duty, there is no reason you can't change the normal one for a heavy duty one, but don't be tempted with the ones that use the bulldog clips ("U" shape with saddle and two nuts) as these are much thinner than originals. BPW also do a couple of different ones, and depending on the year of the van can determine the type that is fitted, if in doubt ask an expert!!!

Both company's spend lots of money getting the right parts to do the job, so why bother trying to save by fitting the wrong parts. (Not that I am saying you are(just a general statement))

 

[Robtel]

Just as an aside to Martin"E"'s post. Earlier this year I changed my car and for the first time got detachable towbar. The recommendation for detachables is not to loop the breakaway around it but to fix it to approved point. Al-ko recommend only doing this with their heavy duty version breakaway. A trip to my local accessory shop was fruitless, at least one assistant didn't even know heavy duty breakaway cables existed let alone stocked them. Anyway, I went on to Alko's website and bought a new heavy duty breakaway direct from them. I think it cost around six quid,and was delivered within three days. I know I have the correct product as sold and recommended by the chassis manufacturer. Just something for you to consider.

Robert

 

[DerektheSecond]

With regards to Al-Ko breakaway cables their advice is"It is important to note, that AL-KO still recommends wherever possible, the breakaway cable is looped once around the towball and clipped back onto itself to form a noose."

However they recomend checking with the NCC and looking at their factsheet

http://www.nationalcaravan.co.uk/home/index.asp?id=1&rid=235
who give the same advice but in the case of detachable towballs to adhere to the specific manufacturers information