Gary 05 AMB DST Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 Installing my breakaway switch and cable and I saw a concerning point. With the car attached to the tow bars, there was 48 inches from my measuring point to the switch. The safety cables with my Blue Ox tow bar, the black spiral ones, are 87 inches long. The spiral breakaway cable was 97 inches long when stretched out. So if the car breaks away from the tow bar, it will go back 87 inches. The breakaway cable being 97 inches long would never pull the pin. Slow down the MH and the toad will ram into the rear of the MH. This could be repeated many times before stopping. In order to stop this from happening, I shortened the breakaway cable to 65" and that would pull the pin before the safety cables are maxed out. I'd rather have a damaged car than the MH. It took me 16 years and a new supplemental braking system (RVi3) to realize those breakaway cables aren't effective. Fortunately never needed them. Gary 05 AMB DST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDCrow Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 11 minutes ago, Gary 05 AMB DST said: Installing my breakaway switch and cable and I saw a concerning point. With the car attached to the tow bars, there was 48 inches from my measuring point to the switch. The safety cables with my Blue Ox tow bar, the black spiral ones, are 87 inches long. The spiral breakaway cable was 97 inches long when stretched out. So if the car breaks away from the tow bar, it will go back 87 inches. The breakaway cable being 97 inches long would never pull the pin. Slow down the MH and the toad will ram into the rear of the MH. This could be repeated many times before stopping. In order to stop this from happening, I shortened the breakaway cable to 65" and that would pull the pin before the safety cables are maxed out. I'd rather have a damaged car than the MH. It took me 16 years and a new supplemental braking system (RVi3) to realize those breakaway cables aren't effective. Fortunately never needed them. Gary 05 AMB DST Will be rereading this later. Getting ready to do same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David White Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 (edited) I guess my assumption that the safety cables are designed to catch the toad in case of break away (before brake activation) might not be the only option on this. I prefer the brake activation in case the cables fail. My assumption would mean the brake cable would be longer. I had assumed also that the extra pressure put on the cables by the braking could actually over stress and cause the safety cables to fail. Then, even though braking, the car is loose and possibly damage or injure others behind me. I had rather take the damage to my vehicles than risk what could happen to others. Apparently there are more schools of thought on this subject. Edited October 2, 2021 by David White Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott 61 Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 I have a Roadmaster even brake it is connected with a airline from my motorhome to my car the airline is longer than my safety cables so I will still have brakes on my car??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary 05 AMB DST Posted October 2, 2021 Author Share Posted October 2, 2021 11 hours ago, David White said: I guess my assumption that the safety cables are designed to catch the toad in case of break away (before brake activation) might not be the only option on this. I prefer the brake activation in case the cables fail. My assumption would mean the brake cable would be longer. I had assumed also that the extra pressure put on the cables by the braking could actually over stress and cause the safety cables to fail. Then, even though braking, the car is loose and possibly damage or injure others behind me. I had rather take the damage to my vehicles than risk what could happen to others. Apparently there are more schools of thought on this subject. David, I just switched to the RVi3 braking system. In their installation instructions they said that as long as there is power going to the RVi and the pin is pulled, the brakes will stay on. Since the power is from the battery, the breakaway will remain activated. Seems like if the safety cables don't do their job, the responsibility falls on Blue Ox. Gary 05 AMB DST Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David White Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 (edited) Gary, I understand but it seems the safety cables are the weak link, in most. Maybe the RVi3 is better, but a car with brakes applied would increase the stress on the cables. BlueOx is unlikely to take responsibility for anything, including the failure of towbars in most cases. Maybe RVi3 would since it’s built in to the setup. I’m an ideal situation, I would want the safety cables to hold and the brakes on the car to keep it from crashing into my coach, or anything. Edited October 2, 2021 by David White Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96 EVO Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 Some say the breakaway lanyard should be longer than the safety cables, and only activate the brakes with a total failure. I'm with you. Activate the brakes first and hopefully the toad doesn't run into the back of the coach, or, God forbid, My Harley 😲! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Byrd Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 I have first hand experience, I was rear ended while in a turning lane. At the time of the accident we were in the left hand turning lane and was stopped waiting for the oncoming traffic lane to clear when the right rear of toad was hit. Both safety cables broke as well as the tow bar collapsing. The brake safety did not pull loose or break. The toad did move because the damage jammed the right rear wheel. My toad wa totaled. Fortunately my MH only suffered minor damage, radiator, fan and lower center grill were the destroyed, only minor body damage. There also was no injuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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