Where to secure the breakaway cable on the towcar is a subject that comes up every now and then. However, spotted in my Hymer dealers shop yesterday was this little beauty recently manufactured and released by AL-KO. This device fits on the towbar and is used as a fixing point for the breakaway cable although to be honest I fail to really see how. The 'U' shaped cut-out that can be seen on the front face is repeated on the rear face only this time the 'U' is upside down.
As can be seen on the packaging it is intended for use in Holland and Switzerland where the looping of the breakaway cable over the towball is taboo and can result in an on the spot fine of between 300 and 500€. This regulation also applies to visitors passing through. Somewhat related to this is an article that I read recently in one of our caravanning magazines and that during an interview with an AL-KO representative they now say that looping the breakaway cable over the towball is not recommended.

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I can't see the difference between securing the cable around the tow ball or attaching it to a bracket fixed to the tow ball? If the tow ball parts company with the tow bar the result will be the same.

I've found another article on the subject, Ray. Looking at the following picture it's obvious that there are two pieces to this device and that it's intended for vehicles that do not have a securing eye on their towbars. I think it's fair to assume that what is being highlighted here is not the possibility of the towball parting company from the vehicle but rather the caravan parting from the towball for whatever reason and the subsequent risk of the looped breakaway cable then being able to jump off the towball. This device is intended for all towballs - removable or fixed - that do not have an eye for the breakaway cable.

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Quote: Aaron Calder wrote in post #4

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The tow ball on our Westfalia unit locks in place with a key and I find it hard to imagine circumstances in which it could possibly fall out.

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I'm not knowledgable in these matters, Colin, but I would have thought that the acceptability that you are learning to is related to vehicle construction and use etc and not advisories if you follow me. What I mean is that there is no specific UK law stipulating how a breakaway cable MUST be connected to the towing vehicle only a recommendation from certain bodies such as the Caravan Club and ALKO until recently. This leaves open other countries to stipulate requirements when a vehicle is used in their territory. There are many examples of this e.g. First Aid kits and warning triangle MUST be carried in several countries.

Ahh, that's a different story Deeps, that is if the caravan pops off the tow ball. I always thought it was to cover a detachable tow ball detaching itself when in use.
Here's a picture of the electrically folding tow ball on my new Seat Ateca. It has a place to attach the cable and a very neat 13 pin socket all built in to the tow ball. Hopefully this is compliant.

Yes Ray, that's ok and the eye fixing point negates the requirement for additional brackets etc. These eyes are becoming the norm with towbars and in a matter of a few years you'll be hard pushed to find one without.

Well that's just what happened to me, when we had the accident in Italy the rear impact was so great that it first bent the detachable tow ball, then shattered the locking mechanism so that it parted from the car, luckily it was a key lockable Citroen part made by Bosal with a cable attachment point on the fixed bar so the brake came on otherwise there would have been a Triton galloping down the road unaccompanied.
Dave