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Post Info TOPIC: Breakaway switches.
macka17


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Breakaway switches.
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There was a post on these somewhere?.

I just thought I'd add a little more.

 

Caravans UNDER 2 ton on axles. Do NOT.   by law.

Need to have a Breakaway sw fitted to drawbar.

 

This current Coromal I've bought. at 1.8ton Gross on axles. does NOT By law

need to have one fitted.

But I've just bought one "Hopkins  ---20099".  $88 del today..

and three wires to splice.

 

I couldn't (for $88) face myself.

IF for any reason MY van came loose, and killed somebody.

Just imagine standing there and telling a person that their child.whatever was dead or injured. Because you Hadn't fitted one of them as "the law" says it NOT necessary.

Sorry. Not me.

 

I'm a little paranoid about this, as 50 yrs ago. working and travelling with family's in caravans.

The company supplied a Landrover and driver to tow from site to site.

The lads vans that couldn't tow themselves.(only had cars).

I saw one come off and kill a couple of people in a queue

I use   towing shackle and chain. Not Lifting tackle. and one size up.

 

EVERY van. specially for the cost and about an hrs time MAX.

SHould have one fitted.

Go on Email look at Breakaway boxes. and get a basic Hopkins.

"The Engager" tm, Internal battery,

Part No  20099  $88 del.

 

If you don't.

Look in the mirror next time. and think.

"WHAT IF????".

 

Even at 1 ton. There's a lot of steel hanging out the back if it comes adrift.

 

My stir for the day. Please take note. (Those UNDER 2 ton.)

and have a great day.

 



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Vince


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Hey Macka is this the unit to get

www.ebay.com.au/itm/BREAK-AWAY-BREAKAWAY-TRAILER-KIT-BOAT-CARAVAN-ENGAGER-HOPKINS-LED-BATTERY-/281977041940

Cheers
Vince

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Cheers from Vince

VK2FBUZ
macka17


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Thank's mate.
Same unit. Cheaper.

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Izabarack


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macka17 wrote:

Just imagine standing there and telling a person that their child.whatever was dead or injured. Because you Hadn't fitted one of them as "the law" says it NOT necessary.

EVERY van. 

SHould have one fitted.

 

 So, where do we stop?    A 300 Kg Jet Ski trailer coming loose and into oncoming traffic will kill people.

By extension, any bad behaviour on the road, like speeding and overtaking in the wrong place, could generate the situation where you end up explaining how you came to kill or injure someone's child.

The Law tells us the point where safety chains need a bit of back-up and I am happy to go with that decision.   The only really safe towing would be in the driveway at home.   I'm not going to worry about it.

Iza



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Iza

Semi-permanent state of being Recreationally Outraged as a defence against boredom during lockdown.
macka17


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1.9 ton. 2.1 ton.
Both will kill/injure same amount. WHO draws the line.


YOU ain't seen the consequences mate. I have.
Same as towing 3.5 ton behind under 3 ton and less vehicles.

I look at the 'rsponsibilities for your actions" side of it.
not the "The law says it's ok. It's OK. regardless".

Towing laws in this country are decades out of date.
Just starting to wake up to themselves.
A lot will suffer financially when it does get set right.

ALl trailers with electric brakes SHOULD have them.
$88 del.. come on...

It's just another aspect of the safety system avail to all.
AND a cheap one.

Because of paper laws.
Some take advantage to save spending a few $$$'s

"Well, I didn't legally HAVE to have it on"
Sorry I killed your son.

How much did your rig cost you?.

Sleep well mate.

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PeterD


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It's not much good in NSW, it does not have an associated remote monitor. If a breakaway device is fitted to a van (under or over 2t) it needs a monitor that will advise the driver if the battery is not capable of delivering enough power every time he applies the brakes.

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PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 
macka17


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All you need is a voltmeter coupled to internal battery and mounted on dash somewhere.
Maybe a red light set to trip if volts drop below whatever setting.

These do have a test button to tell you batt, is fully charged before trip starts,

and easy to check at every stop if you want to. Push. green.
Safe to continue.

Mine on last van was wired to main battery's with it's internal batt being charged by primary charging there.
Just in case anything shorted/failed in main coupled wiring.
Best of both I think.
That's how they wired it from factory.

Did you watch those Sharks players performing after the game. and into following coupla days.

The 50 odd yr losers.
Finally won something. Mainly through others attrition.
and behaving like 10 yr olds.

Jeez.
Gallen. the Perennial loser his whole rugby life..
Finally, on his last game got a gong.

Pity the real final was played a few weeks ago, and he missed it.

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