How Long Should a Trailer Breakaway Cable Be on a Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel Trailer

Published 11/07/2014

Question:

I would like to make sure the answer Jameson C gives about the breakaway cable is the ONLY way it should be connected and the other answer should be removed OR CHANGED TO READ FOR A GOOSENECK HOOK UP ONLY. The ENTIRE purpose to the cable is for when the electric to the trailer gets interrupted such as pulls out of socket or gets broken off some how The breakaway switch SHOULD ENGAGE WHILE THE CHAINS ARE ATTACHED-that is the only way to keep the trailer from running into the back of the tow vehicle while you are trying to stop. The other answer, about attaching it to the truck bed, the only time the brakes would engage is when the trailer has LEFT THE TOW VEHICLE-That is the worst case of a problem you could have. You want the trailer stopped as soon as it comes off the ball hitch, BUT STILL CONNECTED TO TOW VEHICLE. I would hate for someone to write in that something happened because they routed the breakaway wire through the chains and when electric was lost because trailer came off the ball, that the breaks never engaged because the switch was not activated because it was as long as the chain.

asked by: Randy R

Helpful 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.

expert reply by: Jameson C