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Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Fitting a Break-Away cable to a Detachable Hitch
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3landertwo



Member Since: 27 May 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 1127

Fitting a Break-Away cable to a Detachable Hitch




Hi, I have a detachable hitch with a swan neck type ball. (not a flange type.) see above photo

There is no hook/bracket to fit a break-away cable.

How do others get on with this conundrum ?

I have already solved the problem, I want to see how others have overcome this issue.

Post #394257 15th Jul 2020 9:08 am
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Aveling



Member Since: 24 Mar 2011
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 266

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 SD4 Metropolis LE Auto Firenze Red

There's a hole in the main receiver fixed to the car where you should be able to fix it to.
On mine I've fitted an eye bolt through this hole to clip the cable to.

Post #394258 15th Jul 2020 9:27 am
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Bluebird1999



Member Since: 05 Jan 2017
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 99

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Manual Santorini Black

Loop it around the swan neck and clip it like a lasso😊 64 plate TD4 SE Santorini Black
2021 Mazda MX5 GT Sport Tech

Post #394259 15th Jul 2020 9:40 am
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Simon J



Member Since: 27 Jul 2019
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 703

2008 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Auto Rimini Red

I can’t speak for the Brink tow bar but the Witter detachable one has a hole for the breakaway cable in the tow bar bracket that bolts to the car. I understand that the practice of looping the cable round the ball hitch itself is illegal in some European countries - the Netherlands springs to mind - so something to be wary of if touring sur le continent

Post #394318 17th Jul 2020 5:21 am
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3landertwo



Member Since: 27 May 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 1127

Yes I thought the lasso was an unsafe method.

I have found the hole mentioned, a little fiddly.

So I did this --------



------ based on the Oris tow bar LR supplied with the Discovery Td5.




I intend to fit a bowden from the hole on towbar to my welded clip, then the break-away cable will also be secured to the clip.
To me that was the best 'engineering' [and accessibility ] solution.

Post #394328 17th Jul 2020 7:58 am
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ozjeff62



Member Since: 28 May 2018
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 494

Australia 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 SE Auto Ipanema Sand

Will that carabiner have the necessary SWL rating you need for a breakaway cable? A 2 tonne caravan exerts a lot more kN than a 120kg torso. MY11 SD4 SE Auto

Post #394329 17th Jul 2020 8:04 am
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3landertwo



Member Since: 27 May 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 1127

Yes, I checked the specification before buying and welding it on . Very Happy

Post #394330 17th Jul 2020 8:13 am
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andyk159



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Skegby
Posts: 369

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

ozjeff62 wrote:
Will that carabiner have the necessary SWL rating you need for a breakaway cable? A 2 tonne caravan exerts a lot more kN than a 120kg torso.


The breakaway cable in UK is not to keep caravan attached to car. It only has to operate handbrake to slow van and is then designed to snap off anyway.
The attachment point should be permanently attached to vehicle, when towball is detachable, to ensure brakes on van are applied if towball detaches. There should be an attachment eye on the detachable receiver on the car. This should be tested as part of the towbar type approval.

I think the solutions here welded to detachable section would invalidate type approval if inspected by DVSA. They also take a dim view of cables wrapped around towball apparently as well. Andy
Freelander2 HSE (59 Plate, MY10 spec)

Post #394346 17th Jul 2020 1:48 pm
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riverblanche



Member Since: 11 Apr 2019
Location: Retford'ish
Posts: 438

England 

Hi,
agree with Andy ^

you have now "Modified" the towbar,
also the heat applied to the carabiner that has been altered as well,
although as said it only has to pull the handbrake on before anything fails to safe.

its a mine field out there Laughing

not saying your solution is wrong it is what you are happy with that counts but you do have to consider the affects

Thumbs Up .
my first ever FL2 and I did keep it longer than most other cars!
But its now gone way up Norf

Post #394407 18th Jul 2020 8:43 pm
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ozjeff62



Member Since: 28 May 2018
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 494

Australia 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 SE Auto Ipanema Sand

andyk159 wrote:
ozjeff62 wrote:
Will that carabiner have the necessary SWL rating you need for a breakaway cable? A 2 tonne caravan exerts a lot more kN than a 120kg torso.


The breakaway cable in UK is not to keep caravan attached to car. It only has to operate handbrake to slow van and is then designed to snap off anyway.
.


Ah, thank you for that. A very important difference. Our chains are to keep the rig as one unit.

Cheers MY11 SD4 SE Auto

Post #394427 19th Jul 2020 11:40 am
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