Should the Cable on Hopkins Break-Away Kit # HM20001 Engage Trailer Brakes If Safety Chains Break

Updated 09/13/2011 | Published 09/11/2011

Question:

Should the breakaway cable be longer or shorter than your chains? Do you want the brakes to engage if the trailer comes loose and the chains are still attached or should they engage if the chains break?

asked by: Derrick P

Expert Reply:

The breakaway cable on the Hopkins Break-Away Kit, part # HM20001, should engage the trailer brakes if the trailer becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle and the safety chains fail. So you will want the breakaway kit to be the last line of defense against a runaway trailer.

As far as length of the breakaway cable, that will be determined by where the breakaway kit will be installed on the trailer.

I am including a link to a FAQ page on breakaway kit installation and a link to a video of a breakaway kit being installed on a trailer.

expert reply by: Jeff D