Replacing the Lanyard to the Break Away Switch

[urnmor]

Can one just replace the lanyard to the break away switch?

[BigAl]

don't know why not just make sure that the switch still works before going to the effort. Otherwise just buy a new switch. It comes with a new cable.
Al

[urnmor]

Are the switches difficult to replace
Thanks
John

[idroba]

Unless it is very old or unusual, most well stocked RV dealers have an assortment of the pin and lanyard assemblies that sell separately.

However, your unit is 20 years old now, and probably replacing the entire switch is a good thing to do. No, not difficult, a bolt to hold the switch in place and two wires to connect only.

[HowieE]

The switch has one bolt tot he jack post. There should not be any reason to replace the switch as it is nothing more than a normally open switch that closes when the plug is pulled out.

Yes if the cable is rusty or broken for some other reason it can be replaced. Make sure you get an equivalent grade of cable as this is part of your safety system. You can size the cable with aluminum crimp connectors that you can get at any hardware store.

Now for the good part.

There are 2 schools of thought on the length.

One states that the plug should be pulled before the safety chains are taut thus insuring the trailer brakes are on and stopping the trailer while still attached to the TV.

The second states that the chains should have to brake before the trailer brakes come on. This frees the TV while your trailer is free to go where it wants to. This borders on insanity but there are those that prefer this result. Not sure your insurance company will agree from a liability standpoint.

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by urnmor

Are the switches difficult to replace
Thanks
John

No" 1 bolt on bracket or 1 nut on top of bracket. 2 wires are spliced into wiring just wire new wires back. they only let current flow thru when pin pulled [no plus or negative of wires] Also you could cut & splice wires but this is mickey mouse way of doing

[urnmor]

Thanks to all for the info. I will replace it next week. Now onto the solar system.

[blkmagikca]

BTW, Camping World sells a coiled cable that is plastic coated. I installed one about 2 years ago. It uses a split ring (like a key ring) to attach to the switch.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by blkmagikca

BTW, Camping World sells a coiled cable that is plastic coated. I installed one about 2 years ago. It uses a split ring (like a key ring) to attach to the switch.

Fast-way is the vendor ... very simple install with the split ring. They also have a complete unit with the coiled cord already attached to the pull out stem.

[urnmor]

Did u purchase the four foot or the six foot length? Thanks
John

[blkmagikca]

I bought the 4-foot length - that's all you really need. I believe the 6-foot length one is for 5th wheels. At the time I also installed a stainless steel eye bolt on the bumper of my TV (used the eyebolt to replace one of the carriage bolts. Later on, when I found out how crappy the OEM bumper was (got towed at a rally where we had been parked on wet grass when the towstrap caused all the plastic behind the bumper to crack), I changed both the front and rear bumpers for ones made by Iron Bull in Arizona. The Iron Bull bumpers are made with 3/16" steel plate, and have big welded on eyes for connecting tow chains/cables/straps. I use one of these to clip my breakaway cable.





Later on I mounted a 12,000 winch into the front bumper behind the license plate. This is to compensate for not having 4-wheel drive