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07-11-2021, 09:58 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 212
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Breakaway switch question
The lanyard on my breakaway switch got pretty frayed and unpleasant to handle. I bought a generic replacement for it. I know there are probably dozens of suppliers of these switches out there. The one on my Airstream likely came from Amazon a couple of years ago.
The replacement insert snaps in firmly, pretty much like the old one. It's shorter, though, and the ribs on it are shaped differently. Can I consider this a universal part, or should I replace the entire switch?
Bob in Nashville
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07-11-2021, 10:01 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
I'm In
, Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,251
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I bought a Bargman replacement on Amazon and it looks exactly like the original; cable and switch.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OJC4A4/
__________________
-Rich
Rich & Yvonne
2006 Safari SE -Dora-
2004 4Runner SE 4.7L V8
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07-11-2021, 10:19 AM
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#3
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Site Team
1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,522
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If the lanyard was frayed and worn out, the likely the contacts inside the switch are corroded and/or dirty enough to be a concern.
The entire switch is cheap enough, so why wouldn't you just replace the entire thing?
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
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07-11-2021, 12:16 PM
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#4
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,403
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I replaced my cable a few years back. The breakaway switch has a manufacturer and model stamped onto the cover. Was able to easily find the exact pin and cable assembly for that model switch at an Internet RV supply house. I did test the new pin after replacing the old one and found it worked perfectly.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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08-07-2021, 06:07 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Celina
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 541
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richw46
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Did you splice into the wires or go all of the way back to connection
Gary
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08-07-2021, 07:23 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
Driftless Area
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 783
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I just replaced my breakaway switch with this Fastway one. I suspect it'll need replacement every 3-4 years; being on the tongue it sees lots of water and, eventually, corrosion. I like the coiled cable a lot better.
Spliced into the wires, waterproof butt connectors and shrink tubing over the connectors. Original wire was in a corrugated wire loom and I suspect is totally fine. Next time I'll put some connectors on the leads to make it easier to switch out (will still use shrink tubing though). They make good, durable, weatherproof connectors for use on ATVs and so forth.
__________________
Airstream adventures and enhancements thread: Traveling with Tatay
Personal blog (photography, travel, woodworking, flyfishing, food): nryn.com
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08-07-2021, 07:57 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Globetrotter
Oviedo
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,357
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I like these coiled ones. I found these when I towed a car with my motor home. This was the first thing I bought for my new Airstream. You just use a pair of diagonals to cut the old lanyard away and thread the round key ring thing in its place. The carabiner just clips next to your safety chains on the tow vehicle. The coiled cable stays out of the way of all the hardware in your hitch.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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08-08-2021, 09:05 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
I'm In
, Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Castaway
Did you splice into the wires or go all of the way back to connection
Gary
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I believe I spliced into the wires. It's been a while, mid-2020, but I don't recall that I had much of a problem replacing the old switch. I was painting the A-frame and removed most of everything so I could paint. It's possible there was already butt splices on the wires and I just cut off the old ones and put in new. I don't recall where the wires lead to.
__________________
-Rich
Rich & Yvonne
2006 Safari SE -Dora-
2004 4Runner SE 4.7L V8
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08-08-2021, 09:27 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,638
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jondrew55
I like these coiled ones. I found these when I towed a car with my motor home. This was the first thing I bought for my new Airstream. You just use a pair of diagonals to cut the old lanyard away and thread the round key ring thing in its place. The carabiner just clips next to your safety chains on the tow vehicle. The coiled cable stays out of the way of all the hardware in your hitch.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I was 100% in agreement with everything you said....until I saw you got the 6' coily. I always read the 6' was for fifth wheels and the 4' for bumper pull trailers. My fear is the coil is pretty firm and I'm concerned it will pull out on a sharp turn.
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08-08-2021, 06:30 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Globetrotter
Oviedo
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,357
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Nope. Completely out of the way of everything. I’ve just got back from Topsail in Destin. 430 miles I think each way and no issues. I occasionally flip the backup camera just to see how the stuff on the hitch riding. The 4K would probably work too, I just happened to have this one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad
I was 100% in agreement with everything you said....until I saw you got the 6' coily. I always read the 6' was for fifth wheels and the 4' for bumper pull trailers. My fear is the coil is pretty firm and I'm concerned it will pull out on a sharp turn.
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08-08-2021, 06:53 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2018 30' Flying Cloud
Springfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 567
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Ideally, you want the cable on the breakaway to pull the pin on the switch before the chains are fully extended and catch the trailer. That way the trailer brakes are on when the chains are extended and you can brake the tow vehicle without the trailer smashing into the rear of the to vehicle. You're going to have a wild ride if the chains reach full extension and the trailer brakes aren't set. You'll need to shorten the cable so that the pin will pull just before the chains catch. There will still be plenty of cable to prevent it from pulling the pin when making turns.
__________________
2018 Flying Cloud 30RB + 2020 Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison
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08-08-2021, 07:15 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Globetrotter
Oviedo
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,357
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Never knew that. I thought it was just if the trailer completely breaks away. Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbrowne
Ideally, you want the cable on the breakaway to pull the pin on the switch before the chains are fully extended and catch the trailer. That way the trailer brakes are on when the chains are extended and you can brake the tow vehicle without the trailer smashing into the rear of the to vehicle. You're going to have a wild ride if the chains reach full extension and the trailer brakes aren't set. You'll need to shorten the cable so that the pin will pull just before the chains catch. There will still be plenty of cable to prevent it from pulling the pin when making turns.
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