OOPS

[CPS]

On the way to the yard this morning, just coming through town at a busy small roundabout the traffic was backing up abit. I was about 2 cars back from the roundabout and could see a trailer had come off a pickup..... the guy was struggling so I jumped out to help him. His break away cable saved the day for him with out a doubt. It was a well rattled twin axle flat bed, not bad but the hitch was well worn. I reckon it rattled open on the little roundabout bump.

He was very lucky as if it wasn't for the break away cable it would have take out atlest 3 cars I reckon

 

[Brendan]

On the way to the yard this morning, just coming through town at a busy small roundabout the traffic was backing up abit. I was about 2 cars back from the roundabout and could see a trailer had come off a pickup..... the guy was struggling so I jumped out to help him. His break away cable saved the day for him with out a doubt. It was a well rattled twin axle flat bed, not bad but the hitch was well worn. I reckon it rattled open on the little roundabout bump.

He was very lucky as if it wasn't for the break away cable it would have take out atlest 3 cars I reckon

Lucky escape, on a side note no breakaway cable can be 4 points and a 1k fine

 

[Smiffy]

Lucky escape, on a side note no breakaway cable can be 4 points and a 1k fine

And it can't be looped around the tow ball

 

[GazCro]

And it can't be looped around the tow ball

Amazing how many tow bars don't provide anywhere to attach it

 

[Smiffy]

Amazing how many tow bars don't provide anywhere to attach it

You can buy extra long cables that can be looped round the whole tow bar or chassis components then back onto itself

 

[GazCro]

You can buy extra long cables that can be looped round the whole tow bar or chassis components then back onto itself

You can but it's a poor do when a towbar manufacturer or even vehicle manufacturer can make a tow bar kit rated above 750kgs without proper provision for the breakaway cable. Looping round towbar etc is fine apart from the fact that it usually ends up rubbing through the cable, fine if you keep an eye and change it but no use if you don't on the day its needed.

 

[Smiffy]

You can but it's a poor do when a towbar manufacturer or even vehicle manufacturer can make a tow bar kit rated above 750kgs without proper provision for the breakaway cable. Looping round towbar etc is fine apart from the fact that it usually ends up rubbing through the cable, fine if you keep an eye and change it but no use if you don't on the day its needed.

Tbh that shouldn't really be a problem as break away cables should really be kept in stock, and a lighting cable.
Alot of people I know have a spare of each on the trailer as it's to easy to get distracted and forget to unhook them or it get run over or all the other stupid accidents
I don't think it's any different to carrying spare bulbs

 

[Lancs Lad]

Tbh that shouldn't really be a problem as break away cables should really be kept in stock, and a lighting cable.
Alot of people I know have a spare of each on the trailer as it's to easy to get distracted and forget to unhook them or it get run over or all the other stupid accidents
I don't think it's any different to carrying spare bulbs

Agreed, always have a spare in my "box"

 

[GazCro]

Tbh that shouldn't really be a problem as break away cables should really be kept in stock, and a lighting cable.
Alot of people I know have a spare of each on the trailer as it's to easy to get distracted and forget to unhook them or it get run over or all the other stupid accidents
I don't think it's any different to carrying spare bulbs

So having to wrap it round sharp edged towbar which rubs at it and runs the risk of breaking the cable before it does its job isn't an issue?

 

[Lancs Lad]

You can but it's a poor do when a towbar So having to wrap it round sharp edged towbar which rubs at it and runs the risk of breaking the cable before it does its job isn't an issue?

Always had in my head not to loop over ball should be attached directly to vehicle? From my test..

 

[Smiffy]

So having to wrap it round sharp edged towbar which rubs at it and runs the risk of breaking the cable before it does its job isn't an issue?

Tbh every tow bar I use and that is alot of vehicles. All have either round tube or square tube with rounded edges. Of the 30 vehicles I tow with none of them have a sharp edge. If they have a proper tow bar across the back and the Discovery's and the like with removable tow bars have a ring up under the car to loop it round.

 

[Lancs Lad]

Tbh every tow bar I use and that is alot of vehicles. All have either round tube or square tube with rounded edges. Of the 30 vehicles I tow with none of them have a sharp edge. If they have a proper tow bar across the back and the Discovery's and the like with removable tow bars have a ring up under the car to loop it round.

Yeah and the loop is aften slightly to big etc fir the snap hook so u need a shackle...pet peeve

 

[GazCro]

Always had in my head not to loop over ball should be attached directly to vehicle? From my test..

Not talking about hooking it over the ball although vw seem to leave little option

 

[GazCro]

Tbh every tow bar I use and that is alot of vehicles. All have either round tube or square tube with rounded edges. Of the 30 vehicles I tow with none of them have a sharp edge. If they have a proper tow bar across the back and the Discovery's and the like with removable tow bars have a ring up under the car to loop it round.

My hilux has a hole drilled in the edge of the plate the ball bolts to for the job but I've seen plenty of poor setups elsewhere

 

[pettsy]

Not quite an oops, as it made it there

TikTok

vm.tiktok.com

 

[V8Druid]

Not talking about hooking it over the ball although vw seem to leave little option

Always had in my head not to loop over ball should be attached directly to vehicle? From my test..

it's illegal to loop it around the ball ..... must have a separate attachment point

 

[T whiting]

Yes it need to be on somewhere not attached to the towball incase the towball comes undone bit I've never seen how that works with a bolted on frame noones checking the bolts to the chassis but you would notice if the ball was loose.

There's so many times when the hole is to thick for the clip but the holes too small for feed the clip through

 

[Lancs Lad]

Anyone ever check for ball wear?
Mate of mine lost a 16ft flat on the M1 with load of unistrut ...ended up sideways on the central reservation... subsequent enquiry etc found the ball and hitch to be worn..jumped out. Newish transit and well maintained trailer. Said it was scariest moment of his life watching it unhitch out his rearview mirror...no one hit it either.

 

[Routy56]

Yeah and the loop is aften slightly to big etc fir the snap hook so u need a shackle...pet peeve

Agree with that Since day one my tow bar has a shackle fitted for clipping the BAC to

 

[craig]

Anyone ever check for ball wear?
Mate of mine lost a 16ft flat on the M1 with load of unistrut ...ended up sideways on the central reservation... subsequent enquiry etc found the ball and hitch to be worn..jumped out. Newish transit and well maintained trailer. Said it was scariest moment of his life watching it unhitch out his rearview mirror...no one hit it either.

The older type bradley hitches where the safety clip went around the rear of the handle, had a measurement for the gap between the lug and the slot in the safety clip that indicated wear (somewhere).