I need to replace the battery(prior to going anywhere), BUT has anyone seen or have evidence of the breakaway system actually working in Australia? Not questioning the need for it either. cheers and thanks Craig
The local police tested ours on the Nullabour during our trip last November. It worked thank goodness as we had never tested it. Never know when it might save the life of a person travelling behind you!
Gday all and welcome Traway, this is a great forum
I havnt heard of any incident either, good question.
I learned that the breakaway battery is only on charge when hitched up to the tug (please correct me if im wrong). I purchased a small charger and now that battery is at full strength when we hitch up. Of course it is disconnected from the 240 when we are on the road.
Cheers
-- Edited by Phil C on Saturday 6th of May 2017 03:20:49 PM
__________________
Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Back in '60's when working on Motorways. Company used to tow the lads vans from section to section if they didn't have veh to do so.
I was following the company tug , 4\6 ton traytop. on one move. Me (SWB Landrover ) with with my van on back.
His ball Jumped coupling, or something broke (Can't remember) NO Chains Too short to reach to rear of truck..
22ft van. Loaded with full family living gear Heavy. Going down a hill in a town. School just out. kids at bus stop. Van went through line of kids and parents. Killed around 5.
Ever since. I always triple check everything b4 moving a wheel. Then stop after 15 min's or so to recheck.
Gives a person a different mental aspect on things, believe me.
THAT.
Is just one reason they should be COMPULSORY. on ANY thing towed behind ANY vehicle. regardless of size.
A 6x4 can take a persons legs off.
Same as approaching an intersection in '70's in truck. Another semi approaching from other direction. A small 3 wheel car popped out of side street without stopping. Straight UNDER Tray of truck (That side) The truck dragged about 45\50 yds as stopping. Pieces of fibreglass car. One leg, then other parts car and person. strewn along road as I stopped to help.
YUK.
Moral of. DO NOT.. Pop out of side streets without a second look.
Most of us old truckies have more than a few idiots tales in memory banks.
AND THAT. is. Primarily why. Myself. I try to drum it into learners and others
with only their, retirement time behind the wheels of
bigger than THEY used to rigs. If only ONE listens. I've done my job.
Regardless of knockers. Most of whom (Not all) Haven't had the yrs. and hrs behind the wheels. Watching it happening.
I alone. Used to average over 800km a DAY. when hauling. (X around 350 a yr).and 3 log books. just to earn a living. Among all those idiots.
Don't blame ALL truckies for their frustrations at times. I often felt like driving over the top of "that" fool.
And that dick that passed me then swung in front of,
and stopped at lights.
THEN wondered why I hit air horn on my 50 ton crane and pushed him out into the oncoming traffic.
I'd set the crane rolling in traffic. to stop on the line. Idiots jump in front and cut off. Some Really have NO idea how close to death they sometimes come.
Mind you. I did ease the brakes a "tiny" bit. to make sure he DID end up in middle of lights. Just cost him a rear bar and coupla lights. Plus a little education and brown jocks.
That's one... That won't do it again hey. He was around the fourth one to cut me off that morning.
-- Edited by macka17 on Saturday 6th of May 2017 03:50:52 PM
Macka, many of us have been ignoring your long posts. We know they are mostly off topic and there is too much rubbish through them to read through to see if there is something of value in the posts.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Macka, many of us have been ignoring your long posts. We know they are mostly off topic and there is too much rubbish through them to read through to see if there is something of value in the posts.
Yes I'm finding that too Peter.
We have asked Cindy for ignore function before but not to be.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
One thing to bear in mind Craig1 is that this forum contains a membership that would represent no more than about 1 or 2% of the caravan owners in Australia.
On that basis, it is unlikely that there will be many positive responses to your question, especially as I consider most forum members are more aware of the aspects of towing. I would suggest they are more likely to have better prepared vehicles and vans, be able to tow better, and maintain their units better than the general driving public making up 99% of the caravan towing group. As such I think we are less likely to have incidents.
I am certain that the breakaway brakes serve a major safety function, whether or not people have actual experience of their operation.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 7th of May 2017 07:47:09 AM
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 7th of May 2017 07:48:28 AM
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Regards Ian
Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
The local police tested ours on the Nullabour during our trip last November. It worked thank goodness as we had never tested it. Never know when it might save the life of a person travelling behind you!
The local police tested ours on the Nullabour during our trip last November. It worked thank goodness as we had never tested it. Never know when it might save the life of a person travelling behind you!
How did they test it.
Gday...
It is tested the same way as we all should be testing it on a regular basis.
Simply remove the plastic pin from the 'box' on the A-frame of the caravan. This will activate the brakes of the van. Usually you can hear the 'hum' of the magnets engaged. Ideally leave the pin removed for 15 mins to test the battery was charged sufficiently to operate.
Replace the plastic pin.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
well,bought new battery today, some left handed mini orangatang(apologies to david attenborough) had mounted unit into top left hand corner of boot, no way were my arms long enough to remove it. Pull off outside vent cover to get at mounting screws, then cut cable ties to undo cover screws. Auto elec to come on Friday to lengthen cables so i can make a new spot to put it -Camec Breakaway. Only positive was battery only $22.30 from Jayco Albury dealer.( Paramount 18.6 pop top) Still to fish out one dropped screwdriver , now resides behind battery box. Not helped by generator box on a frame either. Cheers , hope this helps someone
I had a branch flick up from the roadway and pull the lead on the breakaway, it worked and thankfully we weren't going fast only about 30kph, I actually when the pin gets pulled out and the brakes come on the draw bar would be dug into the road so brakes on would be academic.
__________________
Checking out the places I drove past a thousand times................
The local police tested ours on the Nullabour during our trip last November. It worked thank goodness as we had never tested it. Never know when it might save the life of a person travelling behind you!
How did they test it.
Just looked up details, and see it is a "Legal requirement" for caravans Two Tonnes and over. Never owned anything that size to tow, so never been around electric breakaway systems.
I lost a mobile Welding Gennie once going downhill into Picton NZ many years ago. Breakaway switch would have been great on that. Luckily 0400 am and no one on the road. The Lincoln Welder was OK as well. But it travelled a Loooong Wayyyy and my heart rate went Sky High for a while.
Back in '60's when working on Motorways. Company used to tow the lads vans from section to section if they didn't have veh to do so.
I was following the company tug , 4\6 ton traytop. on one move. Me (SWB Landrover ) with with my van on back.
His ball Jumped coupling, or something broke (Can't remember) NO Chains Too short to reach to rear of truck..
22ft van. Loaded with full family living gear Heavy. Going down a hill in a town. School just out. kids at bus stop. Van went through line of kids and parents. Killed around 5.
Ever since. I always triple check everything b4 moving a wheel. Then stop after 15 min's or so to recheck.
Gives a person a different mental aspect on things, believe me.
THAT.
Is just one reason they should be COMPULSORY. on ANY thing towed behind ANY vehicle. regardless of size.
A 6x4 can take a persons legs off.
Same as approaching an intersection in '70's in truck. Another semi approaching from other direction. A small 3 wheel car popped out of side street without stopping. Straight UNDER Tray of truck (That side) The truck dragged about 45\50 yds as stopping. Pieces of fibreglass car. One leg, then other parts car and person. strewn along road as I stopped to help.
YUK.
Moral of. DO NOT.. Pop out of side streets without a second look.
Most of us old truckies have more than a few idiots tales in memory banks.
AND THAT. is. Primarily why. Myself. I try to drum it into learners and others
with only their, retirement time behind the wheels of
bigger than THEY used to rigs. If only ONE listens. I've done my job.
Regardless of knockers. Most of whom (Not all) Haven't had the yrs. and hrs behind the wheels. Watching it happening.
I alone. Used to average over 800km a DAY. when hauling. (X around 350 a yr).and 3 log books. just to earn a living. Among all those idiots.
Don't blame ALL truckies for their frustrations at times. I often felt like driving over the top of "that" fool.
And that dick that passed me then swung in front of,
and stopped at lights.
THEN wondered why I hit air horn on my 50 ton crane and pushed him out into the oncoming traffic.
I'd set the crane rolling in traffic. to stop on the line. Idiots jump in front and cut off. Some Really have NO idea how close to death they sometimes come.
Mind you. I did ease the brakes a "tiny" bit. to make sure he DID end up in middle of lights. Just cost him a rear bar and coupla lights. Plus a little education and brown jocks.
That's one... That won't do it again hey. He was around the fourth one to cut me off that morning.
-- Edited by macka17 on Saturday 6th of May 2017 03:50:52 PM
I've been wary of pulling the pin on mine as I had no idea whether or not it could be re-inserted.
How is the pin prevented from coming out except when it is dragged out by the van uncoupling?
My battery is also located in a position difficult to get to (under the bed). Wish it had been located in the forward locker. Might arrange this one day when I've got little else to do. I use the "test" button to check the battery every so often, but of course this doesn't test the switch.
In a Camec unit the housing has lots of little internal ribs to locate the battery. Of course the new battery is around 1 to 1.5mm bigger, so it doesnt fit without a die grinder/Dremmel or similar. Too bad if you are away when it expires. True, it can be connected outside of case but very untidy. Auto elec extended my cable, I made a new mounting box on top of " house battery' so can be easily changed in 2019. HOWEVER, check the operation of pull out plug and listen for brakes to" clic on." The contacts inside a frame switch can get dusty/dirty, but check orientation of plug prior to pulling out, so that re inserting is easy. Sparky says to check operation on a gravel road with an observer after pulling plug, tyres will skid without flat spotting, only need to travel a couple of metres. The pin is positively located (spring loaded somehow). I could be corrected on a technical point, but the essence is there. cheers Craig
