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02-21-2013, 06:49 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: FL
Posts: 3
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breakaway cable
While disconnecting the fifth wheel from the truck forgot to disengage the cable for the emergency break; discovered right away and connected it back. What do I need to do to be sure it is working properly? thx
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02-21-2013, 07:54 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
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One way to test if it's working properly is to disconnect the break-away cable the next time you hook up the TV to the RV and pull ahead very slowly. If the brakes "lock up" and you can't go anywhere, then it is functioning ok. Don't forget to reconnect it!
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2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
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02-21-2013, 09:21 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 235
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Some may not know the house battery(s) must be connected to make the e-brakes work. Even more important if cutoff switches are used. JM2C.
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02-21-2013, 10:22 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 329
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I always wondered about the e-brake on a fifth wheel, you'd think the trailer would stop pretty quick when the front falls off the truck and drags on the ground. Will the brakes stop it that much faster?
Be an interesting test for Myth-Busters show
Trailer Brake Myth!
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2011 Keystone Cougar 276RLSWE
1994 Ford F350 7.3L IDI DRW
LoveYourRV.com
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02-22-2013, 07:25 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 250
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Would be interesting to see, I would think the two front landing pads would allow the 5er to slide like a sled down the road for a while if it were not for the e-brake...
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2012 Cougar 330RBK
GVWR 12,265
2004 Ford F-350
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02-22-2013, 10:25 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 616
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Festus2
One way to test if it's working properly is to disconnect the break-away cable the next time you hook up the TV to the RV and pull ahead very slowly. If the brakes "lock up" and you can't go anywhere, then it is functioning ok. Don't forget to reconnect it!
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huh? I am confused because there for awhile the BF didn't hook up the breakaway cable and it pulled fine. Now he hooks it up.
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"just ride away into the black and white sunset"
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02-22-2013, 10:50 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
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azlee -
If the breakaway cable is still connected properly to the 5th wheel or TT and you don't attach the "other end" to the TV, the 5th wheel will still pull just fine. You won't, of course, have the added protection and safety in an emergency should the TV and the TT separate. The trailer brakes won't be applied if there is a "breakaway".
If the breakaway cable is, for some reason, pulled out of the 5th wheel or TT, and you are hooked up electrically between the two, then the trailer brakes will set, locking up the trailer or 5th wheel. The brakes on the TT are on and the trailer should come to a stop.
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2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
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02-22-2013, 10:54 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 616
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oh ok, maybe I read what you said wrong. I thought you told him to test it that way and I thought something on ours was broke. He now always hooks it up cause I am a pain in the butt. lol
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"just ride away into the black and white sunset"
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02-22-2013, 11:26 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Here
Posts: 313
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Even though I realize that most modern brake controllers have feedback voltage protection to prevent Controller damage when the breakaway switch is engaged -- Just to be sure, I still prefer to do any breakaway testing with the TV electrically disconnected. I disconnect the bargman before testing for trailer brake lockup with breakaway switch engaged.
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2012 Passport GT 3100RK
Previous Campers:
2010 Trailmanor 2720SL
2003 R-Vision Traillite
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02-22-2013, 11:33 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northville NY in the Adirondacks
Posts: 2,128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdaird
Would be interesting to see, I would think the two front landing pads would allow the 5er to slide like a sled down the road for a while if it were not for the e-brake...
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I am thinking that the landing gear would crumple pretty quickly at highway speeds in a break-away situation, especially if the brakes are not immediately engaged via the break-away switch. They'd likely catch on a bump or crack in the road and just collapse. Not something I want to test out.
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'11 Cougar 326MKS loaded with mods
'12 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
Amateur Radio: KD2IAT (146.520) GMRS: WQPG808 (462.675 TPL 141.3)
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02-22-2013, 11:38 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fraser Valley BC Canada
Posts: 7,015
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B&T
You are quite right that electrical testing is preferable if you have a multimeter, know where to place the leads, and what function to use. I suggested this method only because it may be easier and quicker for many people. Thanks for offering another means of testing.
__________________
2008 Cougar 5th Wheel 27RKS
2005 2500 GMC Duramax
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02-22-2013, 01:35 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Airdrie Alberta
Posts: 166
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I have read where a 5er did come disconnected from the TV and it came to a rather quick stop, although it happened while turning in an intersection at a slow speed.
I would think that it may skate on the landing gear pads as they do rock back and forth and they are also curled up on the forward and trailing edges. Although the trailer would land on the box. You can get a catch mechanism that sits behind the hitch and will "catch" the pin in case a disconnect happens.
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2014 Dodge 3500 Laramie 6.7 Cummins, Exhaust Brake.
2013 Cougar High Country 315RES
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