Towing Guide - Flipbook - Page 22
ADVICE ON USE OF THE BREAKAWAY CABLE
All trailers with an MTPLM greater than 750kg must be fitted
with brakes. Above this limit and below 3,500kg MTPLM, all
trailers must also be fitted with a safety device to provide
protection in the event of the separation of the main coupling
when in motion. A device referred to as a breakaway cable
fulfils this requirement and, when fitted to a trailer, its use is
mandatory.
The purpose of a breakaway cable is to
apply the trailer’s brakes on accidental
disconnection of the trailer from the
towing vehicle, and having done so, to
break. This allows the trailer to come to
a halt away from the towing vehicle.
Important: only use a breakaway cable
that is manufactured to the original
chassis maker’s specification and
purchased from a reputable dealer. It
is generally constructed using a thin
steel cable, normally plastic coated and
fitted with a means of connection to
the towing vehicle.
The cable and clip(s) should be
regularly checked for damage and
should be routed directly to the car
without loops or kinks and through any
guides in the caravan drawbar. Always
replace any damaged cable with
one of the correct designs to ensure
22 NCC Caravan Towing Guide
correct function. It should then be
determined whether or not the towbar
has a designated attachment point
(i.e. a part specifically designated by its
manufacturer for a breakaway cable.
Caravans manufactured after
1 January 2018 will be fitted with a
breakaway cable designed to be
positively attached to the tow bar
and not looped around the tow ball.
Additionally, these cables can be looped
around the tow ball and back onto itself
when no attachment point is available.
