Should The Trailer Breakaway Switch Be Shorter Or Longer Than The Safety Chains?

Published 03/16/2023

Question:

in regaurds to this answer below....how would the brakes engage if the cable is longer than the chains? wouldnt the brake away cable need to be shorter so it engages before the chains become fully extended? Question: Is the breakaway cable supposed to be shorter or longer than the safety chains? Ive looked on the internet, and some say shorter and others say longer. asked by: Brenda Expert Reply: The breakaway cable should be longer than the safety chains according to RVIA Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. This will activate the brakes in the event you lose the trailer connection and the safety chains fail which will bring the trailer to a stop.

asked by: Chris

Helpful Expert Reply:

In looking for any laws regarding the trailer breakaway switch the only laws I can find only specify when a breakaway switch must be used and the duration of time it is required to hold the brakes. The exact wording for the breakaway switch is it must activate immediately after breakaway from tow vehicle. This is I believe where confusion comes in as while the trailer may be disconnected from the hitch it is still technically connected by the chains. Personally I would want the trailer breakaway switch to activate in the event the trailer comes off the hitch rather than waiting for the safety chains to break. This would prevent further damage to your vehicle by stopping the trailer from running into the back of the vehicle when you apply your vehicle brakes.

expert reply by: Bud M