Insurance Quotes

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: Breakaway cable too long...?
Post Reply
27/8/2012 at 6:40pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: Pennine Fiesta
View SiHa's Profile View Profile   Reply to SiHa Reply   Quote SiHa Quote  
Joined: 21/4/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   122
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Hi All,

Just returned from a sunny (ish) BH weekend in Devon.

Ever since I got my FC, the breakaway cable fitted (genuine AL-KO, by the looks of it) is far too long. If I attach it to the provided point on the towbar, as I am supposed to according to the National Caravan Council, it will drag on the ground.

Up until today, I have done this and looped it around the back of the towball, ensuring it cannot foul and will still apply the brake if required. Today, in a moments inattention when unhitching, I neglected to unclip, pulled away and broke the cable. Unfortunately this also bent my lovely new bumper protector 17.

So, I need to replace the cable, but would like to do so with one that won't drag on the ground when simply attached to the proper point. They all seem to be 1m long, but this is far too long, even allowing for full articulation of the hitch.

So I am unsure what to do.

I could just fit a lm one, and loop it around the ball rather than use the proper attachment point, but this would appear to be 'not allowed'. Or is it?

I could get one and shorten it witl a wire rope clip, but is this allowed? It would slip after the brakes were aplied should the cable ever be required, but I am not sure if it is legal. Is there some sort of standard that covers these?

Why are they all so long? Is it because they are designed to be looped around the towball?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thx.

Simon



27/8/2012 at 6:47pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Audi Q7 Challenger Sport 636
View Minesapint's Profile View Profile   Reply to Minesapint Reply   Quote Minesapint Quote  
Joined: 06/6/2008

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   95

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Dont know if its right or wrong but I just wrap mine round the towbar a couple of times. If the caravan comes away it will break!


27/8/2012 at 7:10pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 & Santa Fe
View Eddie12's Profile View Profile   Reply to Eddie12 Reply   Quote Eddie12 Quote  
Joined: 28/3/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   817

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Don't know the legal aspect of it, but if it is one of these that you're referring to, I would imagine they/it should be fine;

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BREAKAWAY-CABLE-PLASTIC-COATED-CARAVAN-TOWING-ACCESSORIES-/320874594003?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item4ab59dbed3&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&siteid=3&campid=5339172918&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1



* This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, as an eBay Partner Network member we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.


27/8/2012 at 8:00pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4530

Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

If you mean the loop on your towbar is too small to thread cable clip through then just get a large carabiner or shackle, put that through the loop & thread the breakaway cable through shackle & loop back on itself as you do around towball.


27/8/2012 at 11:02pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6898

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

They are long because when you fit it you adjust it to suit your needs.

Some cars the fixing point for the cable is under the bracket on the towbar.

Some people loop it around the ball.

Hitch up then attach the new cable to the car, Then feed it through the bracket on the brake lever.

Pull it through to leave enough slack to turn sharp corners without applying the brakes yet short enough to not drag on the ground.

Is there not a small loop under the aframe to guide it?



Advertisement



28/8/2012 at 7:59am
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: Pennine Fiesta
View SiHa's Profile View Profile   Reply to SiHa Reply   Quote SiHa Quote  
Joined: 21/4/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   122
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Eddie12 on 27/8/2012

Don't know the legal aspect of it, but if it is one of these that you're referring to, I would imagine they/it should be fine;

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BREAKAWAY-CABLE-PLASTIC-COATED-CARAVAN-TOWING-ACCESSORIES-/320874594003?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item4ab59dbed3&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&siteid=3&campid=5339172918&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1



Ah. Yes, I hadn't seen adjustable ones like that, only fixed length. Looks like it will do the trick, thanks!

Grampian91 - Thanks, my problem was that I hadn't found the adjustable ones!

 

Thanks all for your comments...



* This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, as an eBay Partner Network member we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.


27/4/2015 at 2:30pm
 Location: Altrincham
 Outfit: Elldis Queensferry
View cloggie's Profile View Profile   Reply to cloggie Reply   Quote cloggie Quote  
Joined: 15/9/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

They are peculiar to the caravan They even have different breaking strains BPW versus Alko


-------------
Keep smiling


28/4/2015 at 12:13am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4
View Skoda Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Skoda Bob Reply   Quote Skoda Bob Quote  
Joined: 19/10/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1837

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

Just hitch up and loop it round the ball


29/4/2015 at 11:22am
 Location: GATESHEAD
 Outfit: Shiney new ALASKAand tent collection
View BRYANMITCH's Profile View Profile   Reply to BRYANMITCH Reply   Quote BRYANMITCH Quote  
Joined: 17/7/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   663
Tent Reviews:   5

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0

On one of my many visits to a vosa checkpoint I was advised that looping the cable around the towball is not acceptable in case of towball snapping or detaching.The cable must be attached to the fixed part of the towbar.I drilled a hole in the towbar and leave a small shackle attached permanently. The breakaway cable clips onto this.

-------------
Bryan- TENT CAMPER...by choice!


29/4/2015 at 12:36pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400
View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
Joined: 19/4/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4367

Site Reviews Total: 39
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 9 
Site Reviews 2023: 6 
Site Reviews 2022: 7 
Site Reviews 2021: 10
Site Reviews 2020: 7 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 121
Site Nights 2023: 45
Site Nights 2022: 91
Site Nights 2021: 112
Site Nights 2020: 84

Its not against UK law to have breakaway cable around towball but you can get nicked for it in Holland. As posted earlier, most towbars have hole or loop somewhere, get a large shackle or carabiner to go through that & loop cable through it.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...












    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Motorhome and Campervan Show Exeter 20/11 to 22/11

A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets


4537 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews] 

[Contact Us] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement


Advertisement

Advertisement