(e) an operable connection between said releasable connection means and said trailer brake so that as the trailer moves away from the pulling vehicle, the trailer brake is actuated.Ģ. (d) means for moving said releasable connection means and said flange across said flange arrestment means when the trailer moves away from the pulling vehicle and (c) a flange arrestment means for allowing said releasable connection means to pass by said flange arrestment means in both directions and for allowing said flange to pass across said flange arrestment means in only a single direction (b) at least one flange operably connected to said releasable connection means (a) a means for releasably connecting the pulling vehicle to a trailer brake A trailer braking mechanism which activates a trailer brake when a trailer becomes detached from a pulling vehicle comprising: After the trailer has come to a complete stop, a screwdriver or other tool may be inserted into the housing of a mechanism to push back the spring lock and release the steel balls which thereby allows the cable to release the trailer brake.ġ. Steel balls are swaged to the cables so that when the cable is released from the pulling vehicle, a spring lock can engage the balls and prevent the cable from retracting and releasing the actuated brake. Once the breaking mechanism has been fully actuated, the hook which attaches the cable to the pulling vehicle fails thereby completely releasing the trailer from the pulling vehicle. As the trailer slows in relationship to the pulling vehicle, the cable activates a breaking mechanism on the trailer. The mechanism consists of a cable which remains attached to the trailer after the trailer has disengaged from the pulling vehicle. Trailers that are not fitted with brakes require a secondary coupling, this is usually either a chain or cable which is sufficiently strong enough to continue to tow the trailer and short enough not to allow the coupling to come into contact with the ground should the trailer become detached from the towing vehicle.īreakaway cables for your coupling manufacturer can be found here and universal breakaway cables can be found here.A trailer breakaway safety mechanism which brings a trailer to a controlled stop after disengagement with a pulling vehicle. Please always ensure you have all the correct equipment fitted prior to towing. An extended neck towball is required for use with these stabiliser heads. Other instances have been noted when a caravan fitted with an Al-ko stabiliser head has been hitch up to a standard two-bolt fixing flange towball. It is advisable that the breakaway cable fitted should be approved by the manufacturer of the coupling.Įven though rare, most incidences of the trailer or caravan becoming detached happen within a short time of setting off, it is usually because part of the hitching up the vehicle has not been carried out correctly. The breakaway cable should never become taught, it should be of sufficient length to reach and ensure it does not pull the handbrake on when turning a corner. In these instances, the cable can be looped around the tow ball. Some styles of towing bracket do not have a place intended for the spring clip, like ones fitted with detachable tow balls. Most tow bars have either a drilled hole or attachment specifically intended to accept the breakaway cable’s spring clip. Because the consequences of not having one fitted correctly is so serious it is a legal requirement that all braked trailers and caravans built after 1st October 1982 must be fitted with this safety feature.A breakaway cable is made from steel cable, sometimes plastic coated it is connected between towing vehicle & trailer and should pull tight to engage the trailer’s brakes allowing the towed vehicle to come to a halt away from the towing vehicle should it become unhitched. When towing a braked trailer or caravan it should be comforting to know that should, in the very unlikely event of becoming unhitched the brakes would be applied to bring it to a stop using a breakaway cable.
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