We have changed vehicles and the previous one had a anchor point fitted to the towbar in order we could fit the breakaway cable. The new vechicle only has the towball. Havingp revioulsy read that it would appear tobe OK to loop the cable around the towball. Now having now just read the manufacturers booklet for our caravan they state that we should not be doing this and use a fixing point....help as we go away for Easter!!
There is no law requirement that the breakaway cable should be attached to the towbar and is only a recommendation. However, if you have no attachment then looping the breakaway cable around the towball neck under the hitch is okay. See the information in the link below.
If you're at all worried about looping around the towball, you can fit your own anchor point very easily. Anchor points that you sandwich between the tow ball and the mounting plate are only a few pounds on ebay (or your local accessory shop)..some would probably fit it for you too if you don't have a torque wrench for the bolts.
looping the loop is fine we used to put it through an eye but this eye is too small so we loop it no problems apparently what you should not do is hook through the eye, loop it
Amazing photo....the stuff you find really intertesting as a caravanner is a worry sometimes
ps I loop mine around the neck.....if you know what I mean
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
I think you first need to establish which type of breakaway cable you have before determine how it is to be used. Have a look at the business end of your breakaway cable and if you have been clipping it to an anchor point then it should be a caribena type like the one in this link here. If it is a clip type like the one the one in Tango55's post and in the link here, then it should be clipped back on itself around itself like in the diagram.
They are designed to break off in different ways and may well not work properly if they are utillised incorrectly.
Quote: Originally posted by snagz on 03/4/2012
If you're at all worried about looping around the towball, you can fit your own anchor point very easily. Anchor points that you sandwich between the tow ball and the mounting plate are only a few pounds on ebay (or your local accessory shop)..some would probably fit it for you too if you don't have a torque wrench for the bolts.
You should bolt it to the front of the tow ball or the back of the mounting plate, but never sandwiched between the two as that would stop the tow ball sitting flat on the mounting, putting excessive stress on the tow ball, the bolts and the tow bar, not to mention that it will cause the caravan to crab as the ball will be slightly off centre.