I am going to replace my brakaway cable but the new ones seem to be 1 metre long this seems to be to long or longer than the one that's on the van at the moment
They are pretty much 1m in length off the shelf, but they secure to a lever probably about 50cm behind the end of the hitch. Providing the cable still does what it's intended to do (pull the caravan break on should the van become detached from the towcar), then any slight extra length to the cable surely wouldn't be an issue. The cable usually detaches itself during any incident anyway.
they should pull in a straight line.. maybe looping it around things is not a good idea.. as long as they dont drag on the ground being a bit long wont matter that much.. they are supposed to apply the vans brakes and then snap.. the theory being a loose van with brakes on is better than a loose van without brakes on.. the best idea is to make sure the van dosnt come loose.. :)
my boat trailer has a big chain which in theory would not let the trailer come loose if it ever came off the hitch..
if the clip has a spring steel gate then it must be wrapped round & clipped back on its self. if it has a solid metal gate like a carabineer it can be clipped direct to the tow bar assembly if there is a fitting for it