[A/S] Re: Breakaway Cable

[dash7_@xxxxxxxxxxx]

The following quotes are taken from a Kelsy-Hayes pamphlet titled 
"Operation and Care of Your Trailer Electric Brake System",  
copyrighted 1963.  A page titled "Installation and Adjustment" 
describes the installation of their Break-Away switch and in part 
says:  

"The break-away switch should be mounted on the trailer hitch in such 
a position that it will not interfere with cramping of the trailer 
either way, and will be close enough to the front to permit looping 
the pull-pin wire over the hitch ball on the tow car" 

An accompaning sketch shows the break-away switch mounted on the A 
Frame, just behind the coupler and the cable looped over the hitch 
ball.  Further it says:

"When the trailer is connected to the tow car, the break-away switch 
loop should be placed over the hitch ball before the hitch is lowered 
into position".

The sketch show a simple ball and coupler hitch as might be used on a 
small boat or general purpose trailer, not an equalizing hitch.  It 
would appear that in this case, the intent of the switch is a 
safeguard in the event the trailer becomes uncoupled from the tow
car, not as a safety device in the event of a failure of the hitch
assembly on the tow vehicle.  

Don (MI)