Where Do You Connect Your 5th Wheel Break-Away Cable?

[Roll With The Changes]

Are there any documented cases of 5th wheel hitch failure?

I'm technically challenged at the moment so bear with me...

Search YouTube for "fifth wheel hitch failure"

The video is titled: "2020, Sep. 05, 5th wheel hitch failure "

Username is: "Cowboy Frank's Personal Videos"

I hope I haven't broken any rules by posting this, but I do it for the purpose of sharing knowledge and experience.

[Roll With The Changes]

Not really looking to stir up an old post, but I did find this one informative - and I've got my own thoughts to add.

I searched this topic out because I've recently had one too many situations where my brake cable, connected to a cargo tie-down point in the bed, got stretched and pulled out during the middle of a tight maneuver. Backing into a tight spot can be stressful enough, at times, even without having the brakes lock up in the middle of it all. I'm using a Demco autoslide hitch, which is awesome for letting me cut hard into tight spots, sometimes to nearly 90-deg. However, if the cut is going the wrong way, the brake switch on the hitch swings away from the tie down point, stretching the cable and pulling the pin.

I'd prefer not to lengthen the cable, as I figure you want the brakes to actuate as quickly as possible. Instead, I'm thinking of moving the attachment closer to the pin and vehicle centerline, maybe on the lower frame of the hitch. There are lots of ways a hitch could potentially fail - and I know that some of those could affect the brakes tripping in certain scenarios, depending on where I attach - but I think it seems a reasonable compromise.

Anybody else have this problem? Any thoughts on this approach?

I know what you mean and I have had the sudden lockup during a stressful blind side backing moment.

I route my cable as far forward as I can (as close to the pivot point as possible) and attach it to the bed side. To shorten the cable even more: There is almost always a hole in the stake pockets, so an eye bolt in the left side mid pocket would be a great place for a carabiner.

I'm not perfect, but I'm always looking for ways to do things better.

[JessJoe4168]

Maybe try this item


https://www.amazon.com/QWORK-Breakaw...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[unclejoey_vt]

Thanks for all the good suggestions, folks. I think the best answer for my situation will be to add my own tie-down pad eye to the bed - on centerline, just behind the hitch. That will fix the problem with the cable getting yanked out during tight maneuvers, and it keeps it independent of any reasonable hitch failure.

[geotex1]

Thanks for all the good suggestions, folks. I think the best answer for my situation will be to add my own tie-down pad eye to the bed - on centerline, just behind the hitch. That will fix the problem with the cable getting yanked out during tight maneuvers, and it keeps it independent of any reasonable hitch failure.

Breakaway lanyards are purposefully NOT mounted behind and on center of the hitch. The is because of the case of if the 5th wheel comes out of the hitch or the goose off the ball, such location could be wiped out by the runaway trailer defeating the purpose of the safety device. The solution is a coiled lanyard.

[50ST8R]

Since I have a rail system bolted into the bed for my hitch I placed a carabiner in the rail that I attach the brake


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Kevin & Deb. 2021 Reflection 320 MKS
2018 Ford F-350 Diesel SRW Platinum

[BobLandry]

I just ran a heavy cable tie though an opening on the front of the hitch. really high tech.

[Alfredo]

Maybe try this item


https://www.amazon.com/QWORK-Breakaw...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I bought this same cable to attach to my other cable. With my slider hitch I wanted to make sure I had lots of slack. I attach it to the box bracket next to the 5th wheel cable plug receptacle.

[Barnabas]

I attach it to the bed rail with a carabiner.