Testing and Maintaining a Trailer's Breakaway Cable

Breakaway cables are standard on just about every trailer available on the market, and they’re legally required on pretty much every state road in the country. More than before, we’re seeing DOT officers pulling trailers over to check their breakaway cables because they’re such an essential piece of equipment in the event of a failed hitch. They’re also looking for other things they can ding you on, but that’s a discussion for another time…

In this quick video lesson, RV maintenance and repair expert Dave Solberg talks about the importance of the breakaway cable — what is it, how does it work, and why do you need to routinely inspect it or replace it? Dave begins by discussing the issue he has with attaching the breakaway cable and safety chains directly to the hitch and what he’d recommend instead.

When a breakaway cable pops out, the circuit closes on the tow trailer and its brakes are automatically applied, slowing down and bringing the runaway vehicle to a stop. Follow along with Dave as he walks you through all things breakaway cable.