Axis A24 - Safety Cables; Breakaway Cable

Verify that the entire length and width of
the trailer is level. If the trailer is not level, it
can either cause the brakes to activate or not
to activate at all, which could cause loss of
control of the vehicle.
If the hitch height is incorrect and does not allow the trailer to be lev-
el, it may be necessary to install air-pressure adjustable shock absorb-
ers on the tow vehicle. If a weight-distributing hitch is installed, change
outtoaweight-carryinghitchinstead.Orconsultwiththetowvehicle
manufacturer’s authorized dealer for other assistance.
 Ingeneral,forClass3rigs(3,500-5,000lbs.)atwo-inch(2”)ballis
required.ForClass4rigs,(5,000-10,000lbs.)aballoftwoinches(2”)or
two-and-ve-sixteenths(2-5/16”)isrequired.
 Thesafetycablescanpreventatrailerfromtotallydisengagingfrom
the hitch. If it becomes necessary in the future to replace the cables,
ensure that the replacement cables meet the Society
ofAutomotiveEngineers(SAE)J684standardfortrailer
hitchingandcoupling.Thecablesmustmatchorexceed
thetrailer’sGVWR.
 Cablesmustbeascentrallyattachedaspossibletothe
bumperorframeofthetowvehicle.Thehitchshould
provide a location through which the safety cables can
beattached.Holesorringsshouldbeonbothsidesof
the hitch ball.
 Moststatesrequirethatthesafetycablesshouldbe
criss-crossed under the trailer tongue prior to being
attached to the other hole or ring location. If the trailer
should disengage, these cables should be able to pre-
vent the trailer tongue from falling onto the tow surface.
 Thecablesshouldbeattachedastautlyaspossiblebutstillallowfor
turning,includingclose-quartersturns.
 Thetraileralsoisequippedwithasurge-brakebreakawaycable.
Thiscable,explainedelsewhereinthisOwner’sManual,mustalsobe
attached to the tow vehicle frame, securely but allowing for turns.
Safety cables and the breakaway cable must be securely attached to the
tow vehicle, while allowing for turns. Failure to do so could result in
serious injury or death, as well as property damage to other persons
and vehicles on the road if the trailer becomes disengaged from the
tow vehicle.
 Atruckorvanwitha“stepbumper”requireseye-boltorequivalentsafety
cableattachment,whichmeetstheSocietyofAutomotiveEngineers:SAEJ684
Standard.
 Ifthecableclipismissing,orithasbeenbrokenbythecablebeingpulled,rst
check and attempt to release the emergency brake mechanism by pressing up
on the brake release tab under the actuator nose, right behind the tow ball insert
location. Press up on the brake release tab, and if a metallic clunk or sound of a
spring releasing is heard, that means the emergency brake mechanism had pre-
Axis
Owners
Manual
2019
Page 116
safety
cables
breakaway
cable