Electric brake cable

Judy, do a search on Purdue (as in University). Larry posted a link to a very informative file from them about trailers and the equipment also, and I know they discussed the brake cable and why not to attached  to your tow chains. Very informative. Also, Etrailer.com has a lot of videos and I'm sure they have videos about this.

I couldn't find anything else on the forum, either. Try Etrailer.com. This is a subject that I have to admit to knowing nothing about.

As noted above, the thing to remember is that the place the cable is attached to needs to be strong enough that, no matter the reason for it to be pulled, the cable will pull the pin out of the breakaway unit and not pull the cable loose at the other end. You will also need to make sure that the cable cannot be pinched or severed by any moving parts while towing.

This video should help....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trxBwI23MRY

Hi, Just to post the pics in the right place. This is the set up my dealer suggested, the break away cable is free, nothing pinches or rubs against it. Threading it thru the locking pin keeps it from moving around.  I make very tight turns and it still has room to breath. Eric, my salesman at Little guy in San Diego, told me never attach it to the safety cables. I can attest this set up works very well. Had the trailer pop off the hitch on my very first attempt to hitch up the trailer on my own. He also had me practice twisting the safety cables chains to get the proper length and cross them to cradle the hitch if you pop off (which it has) and the break away cable did gently (not) jerk me to a stop. The hitch never hit the ground, was hanging by the safety chains well off the ground. The jack stump did hit the ground and drag a bit but as I was stopped so quickly after the pop off by the break away cable engaging the brakes of the trailer, it did minimal damage and the wheel still fit with a little hammer encouragement. I have the Jack E Up now and if I had that that at the time I would have had no damage (except to my heart as I nearly had a heart attack ) at all.

http://www.etrailer.com/question-5996.html

According to etrailer.com, you can "twist the chain somewhat" to shorten it, or you can remove links. 

I twist my chains too, to keep them from rubbing or hitting on the roadway.  It doesn't take long to wear through a link that is clinking low to the ground as it happened to me when I was in CA and a highway patrol officer pulled me over.  

Had to look at your photos again and finally realized you did have your brake safety disconnect cable run up and through the attachment link on your vehicle.  It almost looked like it was draped over the pin on the hitch.  Looks like you are all set and safe....  

J.D., I remembered that from the Purdue recommendations, too.  And, that's why I looked at etrailer.com.  I know a lot of Tearjerkers who twist their chains, and I twisted my chains on my first travel trailer--better than wearing the chains apart.  I think having links removed would be a great idea.  But, if you change tow vehicles, you may need shorter or longer chains.  Something to think about.

The Purdue info shows a 'grade 43 repair link' which could be used to adjust the length of your chains if you changed to a different tow vehicle.

Nice to know about.