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densmorema View Drop Down
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Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Off to a blazing start in Alabama
    Posted: 23 Aug 2016 at 4:52pm
So, after a second look at my safety cable I found that it was woven in the safety chain in a way that I don't think it would have came out and activated my breaks if the trailer came off the ball, nice. It would have probably slamed into the back of my truck when I applied the brakes. The dealer should have caught that, well I re routed the wire and everything should be ok.
Mike and Cherie
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2016 at 7:20pm
Originally posted by ToolmanJohn

 When you try to insert that plastic torpedo plug into the safety switch, you'll see how firm it is. It needs a very solid pull to remove it.  It should not be easy to do.

 The wire cable attaching it should be just long enough  to be clipped into the receiver like the safety chains. It should be free from the safety chains , sway bar, weight distributing hitch, or any other obstructions.  Good Luck!
q
+1. The safety wire should NOT be woven in the chain and SHOULD BE connected directly to the TV receiver. Many states require the safety wire be connected to the tow vehicle independent of the hitch. A medium carabiner works well for this attachment.
Charlie
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Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2016 at 1:35pm
Oh by the way, welcome to the forum and hope you have better luck in the future.

Mike and Cherie
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Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2016 at 8:52am
My pod came with the safety wire in
the safety chain also, so far no problems but I will look at it again.
Mike and Cherie
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2016 at 8:24pm
 When you try to insert that plastic torpedo plug into the safety switch, you'll see how firm it is. It needs a very solid pull to remove it.  It should not be easy to do.

 The wire cable attaching it should be just long enough  to be clipped into the receiver like the safety chains. It should be free from the safety chains , sway bar, weight distributing hitch, or any other obstructions.  Good Luck!
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Posts: 4 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2016 at 8:17pm
Again, thanks to all who replied.

The cable or wire that attaches to the plastic plug that, when pulled out, activates the emergency brake, was turned over to me at the dealership intertwined in one of the safety chains, and was never attached to anything, nor was I instructed to connect it to the TV.  I questioned that in my mind, but being a novice, I thought, "Oh well, they must know what they're doing."

When the plug came out, the brakes locked and ultimately burst into flames, I put the fire out and then looked at the plastic plug. It was dangling, completely loose from its socket.

I'm concerned that if it came loose once for no apparent reason, it could do it again.  Of course, this time I'd recognize that it wasn't the truck causing the problem, but the brakes locking on wet pavement could cause a problem.  

Thanks again!
David
David & Susan Eagan
Hoover, Alabama

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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2016 at 9:28pm
Yes, the break-away cable that pulls that pin out should be the longest connection to the TV.  I wouldn't intertwine it into the safety chains.

I've never heard of looping the end over the ball but it would work.  I would worry about it getting jammed up into the assembly, though.  I attach mine with a spring clip to the hitch where the chains attach.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2016 at 6:55pm
That break away switch torpedo (plastic dongle) is HARD to pull free of the switch body. If the wire cable attaching it to the trailer hitch was too short, or , if you did not know about it's function and wrapped the excess wire around part of the hitch, it could have pulled out during turn. That would have turned the electric brakes on 12.6 Volts, full power. Of course, you have seen the results, severe overheating (fire!!! wowza....)

 The breakaway cable is design to pull out IF the trailer actually "breaks away" from the tow vehicle. it slows down the trailer in the event of a wreck and the trailer breaks loose.

 If the selling dealer didn't explain how to connect the break away safety cable , shame on them.
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Posts: 168 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2016 at 5:32pm
Sorry to hear of your problems, but I am a bit confused---Are you talking about the little wire cable that activates the emergency brake lock-up switch?  It is a thin cable with a loop in one end.  The loop should go over the hitch ball before the trailer is lowered down and in the event of the trailer coming off the ball as the trailer goes back it tugs on the cable and thereby locks up the brakes.  It's an important safety feature for yourself, and for others.   
Having the plastic trailer connector plug come out should not cause your brakes to lock up unless it tugs on the emergency cable somehow.  
Odd situation either way. 
Your dealer should have walked you thru all of that on what goes where and how to hook it up.  Bad on 'em if they didn't.  
Hope you've used up all your camper trailer bad luck and it's happy towing from here on.   
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Posts: 4 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2016 at 11:32am
Hello all.  I'm still dealing with the effects of the electric brakes activating while towing (the plug came out for no apparent reason).  Forest River and the dealer say they can't/won't help or accept any responsibiltiy and the dealer is proceeding with $1,200 repairs.

My question to the group is:  how is the e-brake (nomenclature?) supposed to be routed and where does it connect?  The dealer delivered it to me with the e-brake cable intertwined in one of the safety chains and connected to nothing, so that's the way I was pulling the trailer.  Is this correct?  Where would I find an authoritative answer to how the cable should be routed?

Any suppositions on how it came out and how to prevent a recurrence?

Thanks much,
David
David & Susan Eagan
Hoover, Alabama

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