Lanyard Breakaway Switch Safety Alert.
All caravans and trailers over 2000kg should be checked for correct lanyard installation with regard, correct connection of the breakaway safety switch.
Safety switch lanyards are generally 120cm long and usually attached to the tow bar with a dee shackle.
Safety chains are commonly 64cm long.
In extreme circumstances, it is possible for the caravan or trailer to become detached from the tow vehicle and NOT engage the electric brakes for the minimum specified period of 15 minutes.
Couplemate recommends the following inspections by owners and inspection stations.
- Lanyards are shortened or connected to ensure they are shorter than the caravans safety chains.
- Ensure breakaway switches are affected by water ingress thereby causing failure when the pin is pulled.
- Pull the pin on your breakaway before every journey.
Breakaway Pins
Breakaway pins are subject to UV degradation and should be replaced during testing should breakage occur.
Copper Contacts
Breakaway switches must point forward for the pin to be pulled effectively during detachment.
As a result, switches contacts can collect dirt and grim thereby causing failure during testing in some circumstances.
Test Failure
With your chains connected and jockey wheel on the ground, push your caravan so that your safety chains are at full stretch.
If your pin fails top pull, measure the slack lanyard and shorten.
If your breakaway switch fails after being pulled, we recommend switch replacement and be sure you include a rubber boot to help prevent future water ingress.
Conclusion
Breakaway switches are designed to engage electric brakes if the trailer or caravan becomes detached.
During excessive sway, caravans can become dislodged. When dislodged, the brakes should immediately be engaged thereby stopped the sway and braking the caravan to a stop.
I could be wrong but wouldn’t you think any person towing a trailer over 2 tonne even those with a 5th grade education, would know that.
Hello Ralph, You are right Ralph. Shortening lanyards has not even occurred to the experts. Many breakaway instructions do not indicate the lanyard should be shortened. This is a guess, but I suspect over 90% of caravans have incorrectly installed lanyards. Hopefully, folks might share this information.
I would assume that the dealer would check this out on delivery of the van, but have been taught never to assume anything, and would the dealer check the system on scheduled servicings? Probably not, but worth asking the question next time it is due.
Hello Ian,
Next time you are in a caravan park, have a look at a few lanyards and your assumptions will be answered. When replacing lanyards due to wet weather effects or breakages, it is usually a DIY installation that can cause problems.