Breakaway Brake Musings

[Centex]

To quote Donna D - "YMMV"

So to summarize, how long should the brake cable be compared to the safety chains on a tow behind?

As evidenced in this thread there are differences of opinion (No Worries!).

Methinks the answer to your question is: The length that allows the breakaway brake to actuate in a manner that you believe will make you most comfortable (in that worst-case situation we all hope we never face).
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Given the almost infinite number of 'unknown-until-it-happens' variables at play in any given breakaway situation ..... if there were ever anything where there truly is no 'one best / right answer' ..... IMO this is it.

 

[Jim Bennett]

If this happened to me, I hope I would have the presence of mind to use my brake controller to manually apply (and moderate) my trailer brakes. In that regard, it would be similar to using the brake controller to apply the brakes to dampen trailer sway.

While I admire your intention, you would need to keep the brake locked on anyway because the minute you let off on the controller the trailer would slam into your vehicle. Plus, in emergency situations I would bet most folks have other worries that might affect their reactions. Brakes hard on will be safe and in many cases the safest thing to happen.

We all see these situations differently. Having held a Class I license I know how important braking is, and not just for the tractor/trailer units. We had to check our brake setting regularly, though this is with air brakes.

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

As evidenced in this thread there are differences of opinion (No Worries!).

Methinks the answer to your question is: The length that allows the breakaway brake to actuate in a manner that you believe will make you most comfortable (in that worst-case situation we all hope we never face).
_________________

Given the almost infinite number of 'unknown-until-it-happens' variables at play in any given breakaway situation ..... if there were ever anything where there truly is no 'one best / right answer' ..... IMO this is it.

I'm going to use post #8 data as my setup for 2025. 24" longer than the safety chains or as close to it as possible.

My cable now is LONG and coiled/wrapped to shorten it (by previous owner or ETI) and likely way too long.

It's been an interesting read and I would have thought there was a standard we all agree on, like crossing the safety chains. It seems even the industry can't agree on a length vs the chains.

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f10/breakaway-cable-17893.html

 

[hugh]

While I admire your intention, you would need to keep the brake locked on anyway because the minute you let off on the controller the trailer would slam into your vehicle. Plus, in emergency situations I would bet most folks have other worries that might affect their reactions. Brakes hard on will be safe and in many cases the safest thing to happen.

We all see these situations differently. Having held a Class I license I know how important braking is, and not just for the tractor/trailer units. We had to check our brake setting regularly, though this is with air brakes.

If my reaction to losing the trailer was hard braking, I suspect the trailer would slam into the tow vehicle no matter what. The ABS in my tow vehicle will stop the vehicle much faster than the trailer, especially if the trailer is skidding with the wheels locked up.

 

[edlynnrich]

So to summarize, how long should the brake cable be compared to the safety chains on a tow behind?

Perhaps someone who with related experience in the transportation industry can weigh in.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

So to summarize, how long should the brake cable be compared to the safety chains on a tow behind?

it should be long enough that the brake breakaway switch can't be activated if the trailer is still on its chains.

 

[Centex]

Perhaps someone who with related experience in the transportation industry can weigh in.

FWIW, apparently the RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) has weighed-in on the subject, recommending longer than the safety chains:

 

[edlynnrich]

FWIW, apparently the RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) has weighed-in on the subject, recommending longer than the safety chains:

Thanks Centex. I figured someone would know how to find this.

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

it should be long enough that the brake breakaway switch can't be activated if the trailer is still on its chains.

Yes. That is what I thought.

When I unzipped the wrapped up portion of mine (previous owner did that) last night and compared to my chain length, it is perfect. 18-24" longer than the chains.

FWIW, apparently the RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) has weighed-in on the subject, recommending longer than the safety chains:

Thanks!