Should A Breakaway Cable Be Longer Or Shorter Than The Safety Chains?

Updated 09/02/2025 | Published 08/06/2025

Question:

should a breakaway cable be shorter than the safety chains so as to engage first the switch. I have a coiled cable that is 2 feet longer than the safety chains on my rv.is this normal. everything I have read says its not.

asked by: Chris A

Expert Reply:

Hello Chris, good question. The breakaway cable should be slightly longer than the safety chains. This is 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. 2 feet might be a bit much so you might want to cut that down by a foot or so.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Jesse M.

9/2/2025

Hey Chris, did you decide to adjust the length of your breakaway cable? I'm curious to know if it helped ensure the brakes engage properly. Your experience could be really helpful for others with similar setups.