A breakaway cable for an unbraked trailer is obviously pointless but there by law has to be a secondary safety connection i.e. a chain is required I case of it coming accidently un hitched. Seems a little odd, a two ton trailer requires a thin cable, but a 3/4 ton unbraked trailer has a chain.

Didn't know about the chain - our old trailer never had one. It would surely need to be very strong to take up the shock of a sudden trailer detachment without just snapping. Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

It is not supposed to snap, it is designed to be a secondary coupling and the length of chain should be short enough to stop the A Frame dragging on the road should it become unhitched.

a strong safety cable/chain is advisable even if you have non braked trailer. it might catch the trailer and prevent it flying away and hitting somebody. If it does snap you are no worse off than not having one,
your rear bumper might get ruined but thats your fault for not fitting it on properly At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986 No. 1078) and amending Regulations.

Secondary Trailer Couplings

Trailers manufactured from 1 October 1982 must not be used on the road if they are not fitted with a device that stops them automatically if the main coupling between the towing vehicle and trailer breaks unless a secondary coupling is fitted which, if the main coupling breaks, the secondary coupling prevents the drawbar from touching the ground and some steering remains on the trailer.

This requirement also applies to trailers manufactured from 1 January 1997 having a maximum total design weight not exceeding 750 kg (Regulation 15).

BSAU 267: 1998

Scope

This Code of Practice provides recommendations for break-away cables and secondary couplings, and their attachment points, for light trailers or caravans up to a mass of 3,500 kg. It applies to trailers which do not have brakes or have overrun or inertia type braking systems only.

Definitions

Break-away Cable ("BC") A break-away cable is a cable between the towing vehicle and the trailer including its fitments which, in the event of separation of the main coupling, activates the braking mechanism of the trailer.
     
Secondary Coupling ("SC") A secondary coupling is a coupling device between the trailer and towing vehicle which, upon separation of the main coupling, ensures that the two vehicles remain connected, prevents the drawbar touching the ground and provides residual steering for the trailer.
     
    Secondary Couplings used for the retention of trailers in the event of main coupling separation should be designed to have an ultimate tensile strength of equivalent to at least twice the maximum permissable mass of the trailer.
     

Definitive reply there ad. Thanks.

Secondary Couplings used for the retention of trailers in the event of main coupling separation should be designed to have an ultimate tensile strength of equivalent to at least twice the maximum permissable mass of the trailer.

That covers my point about the chain needing to be substantial to avoid it snapping if the trailer suddenly broke loose. My camping trailer was bought (well ) before 1982 so that explains my knowing nowt about the chain being needed! Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

But don't they make it complicated to understand.

In my pre-retirement incarnation as a rather junior (i.e. not very well salaried or pensioned!!!) Civil Servant I was paid, amongst other tasks, to write that sort of stuff! Trying to cover every possible eventuality without being ambiguous or repetitious does make for obscure English! Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

You need to read it a few times over a few coffees for it to sink in, then you have to read it again to make sure, then you still not 100%

I seem to remember that anything with a wheel less than 10" was restricted to 50mph. I remember it being a factor in the original Mini design which was due to have smaller wheels but would fallen into the 50 mph restriction.

Of course, that was a long time ago, the rule may have changed and I might have got it wrong anyway.

One other thing to remember is not to overload the trailer. It's quite easy to do if you pack heavy stuff - jerry cans of water, multiple packs of beer etc. Because the little trailers never have much in the way of suspension, there's nothing to avoid road shocks and it's surprisingly easy to crack the chassis.

Use ratchet straps front and back for peace of mind - don't trust bungee chord on cover - nearly lost contents when chord snapped on brand new trailer and cover near channel tunnel heading to France

Running down sliproad picking up coats and bags is no fun  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

Does anyone here bother increasing their tyre pressures when towing a caravan.
Yesterday I spoke to the importers of my General Tyres AT,s re tyre pressures in general and they recommended
33 psi for general use and increase to 36 psi all round when towing.

Comments would be welcome because although I have owned caravans for 36 years (Sorry CG) I have never bothered
increasing tyre pressures when towing and (touch wood) never had a punture on the van.


Bill T. Life Honorary Member of Wallasey Motor Club.
Licenced MSA Radio Operator for 35+ years.
Rallying is the only sport.

I always increase to recommended pressure fully laden when towing van

Carry a compressor to adjust once pitched and for return journey too  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

whenever I see a car and caravan I always set the tyre pressures at 0 psi, and superglue the valve caps on to prevent tampering  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race