Brake wire thingy

Tweedrvr

I have this wire with a loop at one end that fits over the ball before you lower the hitch and lock it in place.  It’s like an emergency brake or something.  We my problem is that the OTHER end which has a plastic piece on it has dislodged itself from wherever it was and I have no idea where that location is on the trailer.  Does anyone know what I’m referring to?  If so, could you tell me where or better yet post a picture.  I’m hoping to sell my beauty, but I obviously need to fix this.  Much appreciated.  Thank you.

’15 T@B CS-S Max. Towed by a ‘19 Subaru Outback

Sharon_is_SAM

Look on the inside of the frame on the passenger side.  You should find the break away brake relay that is housed in a thin, plastic box.  Reinsert the end into the box.  You should be aware that removing that end engages the electric brakes and it can consume your battery.  Also, the other end should be attached on the hitch, not on the ball.

Tweedrvr

Thank you. That helps a lot. 

GumboAndBoo2

And remember that the length of the breakaway cable should be less than the length of the safety chains.  If the chains are longer, the breakaway cable will never engage the emergency break. 

Sharon_is_SAM

I think there was a discussion about the length of the break away brake cable in relation to the chains.  No real consensus.

Tweedrvr

Thank you. Think I’ve got it covered. 

LBHM

is there a best practice for attaching break away brake cable to hitch?

Sharon_is_SAM

It is ideally attached directly to the TV, but most folks probably attach it to the hitch.  Some hitches provide a cut out for attaching the cable.

N7SHG_Ham

And by attaching to hitch, that should mean the receiver structure that is bolted to your TV frame and NOT the ball mount!

Sharon_is_SAM

Agree!

TabberJohn

I used this advice as a guide: 
https://youtu.be/eubR3ssLiOM

Should I ever need to replace the cable I'd switch to this:
https://youtu.be/YHQf16s2NEE

LBHM

thanks for the guidance...videos especially really helped!...cheers

MiquelCamo

I have the Fastway Zip cable. After watching the first video I need to ensure it's extended length is shorter than the chains. Anybody checked this out?

Dalehelman

Tampakayaker

My wire isn't long enough to get to the receiver bracket, it barely makes it to the ball. Guess I should look into extending it a little bit.

N7SHG_Ham

@Tampakayaker yes! If the ball mount was to come out (and it has happened due to forgetting to put the pin in) you would have no emergency brake engagement. It is much less likely that the entire hitch assembly bolted to the TV is going to leave the TV.

Tampakayaker

N7SHG_Ham lo and behold, I looked under the hitch platform and the previous owner had tied a loop in the wire to shorten it.  I undid the loop, put a hook on the end and attached it to my receiver mount next to the safety chains.  I had to get two of those D-Ring shackles from Harbor Freight to attach to the receiver holes so the safety chain hooks latch would close, because the latch wouldn't close when I put them on the receiver hole.

Marceline

Tampakayaker said:

I had to get two of those D-Ring shackles from Harbor Freight to attach to the receiver holes so the safety chain hooks latch would close, because the latch wouldn't close when I put them on the receiver hole.

You probably figured this out, but those shackles need to be able to as strong as the chain or stronger. If the shackles are a "weak link" the safety chain won't do it's job. 

Tampakayaker

@Marceline, they are.