marc515
New Jersey
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Joined: 01/17/2009
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I currently hook the loop of the breakway cable to the safety chain hook when I attach the safety chains to the receiver/hitch, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't be attaching it separately with a carabiner?
What are you guys using to secure your breakaway cable to your hitch?
Also, my cable is runing through the chain links to keep it from hanging; should I be doing that?
Thank you
Best Regards,....marc & joan
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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You should can connect to the same location as safety cable, but not use the safety chain hook as the location.
I use an "S" hook to attach my breakaway
Bud
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Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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MitchF150
Washington, the State
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I don't connect it to the 'hitch' at all... 
I connect it to the bumper of my truck that is not connected to the hitch in any way.
The idea being that if the entire hitch fails, there goes your break away attachment point right along with the hitch!
My cable does not go thru the chains either... It's on it's own and does not drag. If your cable is too long, you can alter it to fit for your particular setup... How and when you want the break away brakes to come on is yet ANOTHER discussion that has 2 camps involved. There are those that want it to pull as soon as the trailer comes off the ball and there are those that don't want it to pull until after the trailer has completely left the rigs.. Chains and all... I prefer the later.. But that's not to say the other way is bad either... Just whatever you are comfortable with.. I hope I never have to test either theory!
That's just what I do..
Mitch
*Anything I post is for entertainment purposes only and what usually works for me.. Your Mileage May Vary..
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 11/11/2010
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MitchF150 wrote:I don't connect it to the 'hitch' at all...
I connect it to the bumper of my truck that is not connected to the hitch in any way.
The idea being that if the entire hitch fails, there goes your break away attatchment point right along with the hitch!
That's just what I do..
Mitch
A big X2!
Ford put a hole in the bumper for a ball. They also put some places on the bottom of the bumper to hook the safety chains if all you had was the ball on the bumper. So I hook the cable there with a quick link. A caribiner would work just as well. I don't think I would trust an S hook.
But I read a good tip here lately about routing it. I have a long shackle padlock I use through the hole on the coupler. I run the cable through the shackle.
ERS
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ArcticDodge
Sammamish, WA
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Joined: 05/02/2005
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MitchF150 wrote:I don't connect it to the 'hitch' at all...
I connect it to the bumper of my truck that is not connected to the hitch in any way.
The idea being that if the entire hitch fails, there goes your break away attachment point right along with the hitch!
That's just what I do..
Mitch
Excellent point Mitch! Hitch failures are very rare but I do recall GM had some problems several years ago with hitch failures. One more fine example how valuable this site is.
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jerem0621
Sequatchie, TN
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Carabiner attached to bumper. Not the hitch.
Safety safety safety.
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
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MitchF150
Washington, the State
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JBarca has a really good write up here on this topic. I have mine attached to the same bumper hitch points as he does. He has many good points in his write up too. Well worth the read and you'll realize there is a lot more to the break away cable placement after all!
Mitch
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Perrysburg Dodgeboy
Perrysburg, Ohio USA
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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Yep NEVER attach the brake away cable to the hitch. Myself I attach it to the frame of the truck using a c-clamp bolt. Doing this gives me the added security that if the truck and trailer jack-knifes the brake away cable will be pulled. This way I will at least have trailer brakes locked even if I can't apply the truck brakes.
BTW yes I know it is a 50/50 shot that the truck would jack-knifes to the right to pull the cable. But 50/50 is better then 0/0 right?
Don
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2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT Cummins HO
2005 Keystone Cougar 304 BHS
Chrysler the only one to pay back 100% of their loans from the Government. *The Old Car Company" still owes 1.6 billion. Is that better Chuckles 
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dyb
s.c.
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I hook to the safety chain eyelet on the truck reciever,
2005 F 250 5.4, 4.10 Gear, Tow/Haul, TorqShift Tranny 8ft. Box
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WI Bowhunter
Shiocton, WI
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I use a carabiner clip to the hitch. After reading the other responses, I will be finding a new spot (not on the hitch) to attach the clip.
Keep the Shiny Side Up!
2011 F150 Supercrew, 4X4 3.5 Ecoboost, 145" wheelbase, 3.73 gears, Max trailer Tow package
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