Towing a 3 tonne caravan - WDH

[Tazzieman]

In Aus, the breakaway cable also activates the trailet brakes, but you don't leave the trailer in the previous country

 

[ECrider]

I think cross chains rated along with rated shackles is good practice, kind of seems logical. For the thought process of having a brake activating cable with a sacrificial carabiner to stop the trailer rear ending you, if braking, once hitch has failed then perhaps can have both. The cross chains being longer in length than the shorter cable?

Just thinking aloud.

 

[landmannnn]

Too different operations, whilst US and Aus attachments are a secondary coupling to prevent detachment of a towed trailer/caravan. With an overrun braking system it is the opposite, if detached from the tow hitch, the overrun cable pulls on the handbrake tight bringing the trailer to a stop, then snaps to permit separation of vehicle and parked trailer.
For those NA and Aus members who haven't seen a UK and EU breakaway cable

Actually, to clarify, the breakaway cable pulls out a pin which locks the trailer brakes. So when the cable snaps the trailer brakes are fully applied.
Somewhat archaic I guess.

 

[Blackwolf]

I tend with a heavy trailer (in the UK) to supplement the breakaway cable with a non-sacrificial chain of sufficient length to allow the breakaway cable to apply the brakes and break before the chain goes tight. I bunch up the chain with a weak cable tie to stop it dragging.

My thinking is that if the trailer becomes detached the brakes will be applied but I may retain some ability to steer it as it slows and ensure it stays on my side of the road.

The chain must of course be long enough to allow the breakaway cable to work as intended.

 

[ECrider]

I tend with a heavy trailer (in the UK) to supplement the breakaway cable with a non-sacrificial chain of sufficient length to allow the breakaway cable to apply the brakes and break before the chain goes tight. I bunch up the chain with a weak cable tie to stop it dragging.

My thinking is that if the trailer becomes detached the brakes will be applied but I may retain some ability to steer it as it slows and ensure it stays on my side of the road.

The chain must of course be long enough to allow the breakaway cable to work as intended.

Method in my madness - first time for everything