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Old 02-21-2013, 06:49 PM   #1
oliverquibble
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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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Old 02-21-2013, 07:54 PM   #2
Festus2
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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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Old 02-21-2013, 09:21 PM   #3
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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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Old 02-21-2013, 10:22 PM   #4
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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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Old 02-22-2013, 07:25 AM   #5
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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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Old 02-22-2013, 10:25 AM   #6
azlee56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Festus2 View Post
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!

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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Old 02-22-2013, 10:50 AM   #7
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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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Old 02-22-2013, 10:54 AM   #8
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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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Old 02-22-2013, 11:26 AM   #9
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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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Old 02-22-2013, 11:33 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by jdaird View Post
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...
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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Old 02-22-2013, 11:38 AM   #11
Festus2
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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.
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Old 02-22-2013, 01:35 PM   #12
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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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