I know there are two types of breakaway cables - one that should only be routed round/through some part of the tow bracket and back onto the cable - and one that can be clipped directly to a suitable part of the tow bracket. How do you tell which type you have? cos the clips seem very similar.
Breakaway cables
- Thread starter David.R
- Start date
as far as i know, only one type exists?
if you have no deadicated anchor point for it, or as is unsual the hole is under sized, then it is usually took round the ball, in a loop.
if you have no deadicated anchor point for it, or as is unsual the hole is under sized, then it is usually took round the ball, in a loop.
David, I obtained the carabina type from Alko to clip directly onto an anchor point. It definitely has a more substantial clip but without seeing the two types side by side I don't know how you would tell the difference. Maybe have a look at alko's website?
As has been put before, only one type of cable, and just fasten it how you wish, some are a bit too long and I just loop them through the ring and back onto themselves so as they don't drag on the floor.
My personal opinion is not to put it around the towball itself. If no bracket is fitted I wrap it around the towbar fixing. This is done because we once had a towball snap off (not on a caravan but a cattle trailer) and the cable didnt work, so we don't put it around the ball now.
My personal opinion is not to put it around the towball itself. If no bracket is fitted I wrap it around the towbar fixing. This is done because we once had a towball snap off (not on a caravan but a cattle trailer) and the cable didnt work, so we don't put it around the ball now.
There are, indeed, two different types of breakaway cable. Both types can be found here:
http://217.199.167.226/shop/acatalog/Spare_Parts.html
Mike
http://217.199.167.226/shop/acatalog/Spare_Parts.html
Mike
Yes there are 2 type,the caribina clip one is not to be looped back on itself,the needs to be looped back on itself either around the towball or passed through the tow bracket clip and clipped back on itself.
If the later is clipped on it will open up in the event of a failure
If the later is clipped on it will open up in the event of a failure
Be aware that - technically - it is no longer acceptable to loop the snatch cable round the neck of the ball - it must be attached to the towbar. If you get stopped - and likely you will be outside the dock gates in Rotterdam (the police sit there and wait to catch Brits) - you will face an on-the-spot fine of _30 or more.
You can buy a pigtail adapter that fits under on of the ball bolts - if you unfasten an existing bolt it is a good idea to replace with new.
You can buy a pigtail adapter that fits under on of the ball bolts - if you unfasten an existing bolt it is a good idea to replace with new.
Hi
Can someone clarify what is meant by the 'Karabiner' type?
I have a spring clip that LOOKS like a Karabiner.... how does this differ - visibly - to the other type?
I found this - could be useful:
http://www.nationalcaravan.co.uk/home/index.asp?id=1&rid=235
Can someone clarify what is meant by the 'Karabiner' type?
I have a spring clip that LOOKS like a Karabiner.... how does this differ - visibly - to the other type?
I found this - could be useful:
http://www.nationalcaravan.co.uk/home/index.asp?id=1&rid=235
Im sorry but technically if you have no other means of clipping the breakaway cable then around the towball is acceptable.
I have a detachable towball and there is no way i can bolt anything on.
Have towed across europe and i have been stopped at check points and they have never questioned the position of the breakaway cable.
I have a detachable towball and there is no way i can bolt anything on.
Have towed across europe and i have been stopped at check points and they have never questioned the position of the breakaway cable.
Mark Mac
follow the link provided by SBS to Al-ko's online site and click on the photo icon,you will see the difference
follow the link provided by SBS to Al-ko's online site and click on the photo icon,you will see the difference
Thanks for all the replies - I seem to have the type that must be attached back to itself. As my detachable towbar has a dedicated anchor point to clip the cable directly onto I intend to change it.I presume the end that attaches to the bottom of the hand brake lever is again some type of clip?
The other end is a hook shape that you fit then close up.A good strong pair of mole grips will do this ,closing a little at a time.
You might find its a bit of a struggle getting the old one off though?
You might find its a bit of a struggle getting the old one off though?
I read what you say but it is not possible with a swan neck detachable tow bar but to fit it anywhere else. I have such on my Skoda Octavia and Skoda recommend attaching it to the towball.
Ive asked this question before and I am beginning to wonder if this is the case- not attaching it to a tow ball, why do car manufacturers sell detachable and swan neck towbars?
Woody,
If you check P619 of the current CC handbook, the recommendation (where no designated attachment point is provided) is to loop it round the towball. They certainly wouldn't advocate anything illegal surely...
Ron D
Thanks Woody-I have read this previously-that's why I find it confusing there are other viewpoints.
Certainly the Dutch Police don't permit it, and since we are supposed to be 'harmonised' I would guess this is an EU requirement?
I was always under the impression that if a vehicle (and that includes a caravan) met Type Approval in its country of origin then it was acceptable throughout Europe, but this would now not seem to be the case.
The actions of the Dutch Police have been noted in the CC magazine.
Hi Dave type 1 has a all steel carabina type gate this can be used either way Type 2 has a spring steel type gate & should be cliped back on itself. reason being the type 2 can/does come to rest upside down (cable at top) & if pulled on the spring steel section pulls out from the fixepoint before the brake can be pulled on TD
Hi Michael
Why is this?
The reason I ask is -
I once pulled up at a campsite and in my haste, unhitched the van but failed to disconnect the break-away cable (Karabiner type - looped round the towball).
It just snapped off when I moved away (4/5 mph). It didn't apply the handbrake as it is supposed to.
If I'd connected this directly to the chassis (I have a small hole in the towbar that I could connect to) - how would this be different? Would this have applied my handbrake as it's supposed to?
Confused....
Mac
Why is this?
The reason I ask is -
I once pulled up at a campsite and in my haste, unhitched the van but failed to disconnect the break-away cable (Karabiner type - looped round the towball).
It just snapped off when I moved away (4/5 mph). It didn't apply the handbrake as it is supposed to.
If I'd connected this directly to the chassis (I have a small hole in the towbar that I could connect to) - how would this be different? Would this have applied my handbrake as it's supposed to?
Confused....
Mac
It is much easier to bend and snap a piece of metal than pull it apart.
When the caribina type is looped around the towball it is pulled at an angle as the cable passes through it.
When clipped on it is pulled straight so should pull the handbreak before breaking.
When the caribina type is looped around the towball it is pulled at an angle as the cable passes through it.
When clipped on it is pulled straight so should pull the handbreak before breaking.
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