Performore Breakaway Trailer Cable - Heavy Duty Steel Wire Coiled Safety Cables Strap for RV Towing Trailer - Stainless Steel Spring Towing Coil for Enhanced Durability - Extends up to 6ft

A compact upgrade that fixes an outsized annoyance

Towing peace of mind often hinges on small parts. The Performore breakaway cable is one of those small upgrades that made a bigger difference than I expected. I installed it as a replacement for a frayed straight cable on my travel trailer, and I’ve since run it on a utility trailer as well. After a few trips, including a couple of wet-weather tows and some tight backing maneuvers, I’m convinced this coiled design is a smarter, tidier, and more durable solution than the typical thin, straight wire that comes with many breakaway kits.

Design and build

This cable uses a woven stainless steel core wrapped in a UV‑resistant polyurethane jacket. It feels noticeably thicker and more substantial than OEM cables I’ve used. The jacket is smooth and resists kinking, and it also protects the trailer tongue and hitch from chafing—no more bare wire rubbing paint. The coil is tight without being overly stiff; at rest, it keeps a low profile and stays out of the way of the coupler, 7‑way harness, and safety chains.

The hardware is simple and effective: a split ring for the breakaway pin and a carabiner-style clip for the tow vehicle end. The carabiner isn’t a climbing-grade unit (nor does it need to be), but the gate closes reliably, there’s no slop, and it’s easy to operate with gloves on. Overall, the materials felt a notch above the “throw-in” accessories that often accompany trailer kits.

Installation and fit

Installation took a couple of minutes:
- I attached the split ring to the existing breakaway switch pin (no tools required).
- I routed the coil inboard along the tongue.
- I clipped the carabiner to a dedicated attachment point on the hitch that’s independent of the ball mount and safety chains.

The cable stretches up to about 6 feet, which has been plenty for my A‑frame travel trailer as well as a shorter utility trailer. At rest, the coil sits closer to 4 feet, which is ideal—long enough to accommodate turns without binding, short enough to avoid dragging. If you run an unusual tongue extension, a surge-brake coupler, or a very long drawbar, double-check the reach; most bumper-pull setups will be fine.

On-road performance

The biggest day-to-day benefit is tidiness. The coil stays up and out of the way, so it doesn’t snag on the jack handle or safety chains, and it doesn’t scuff the tongue. There’s just enough spring tension to keep it compact without tugging on the pin during sharp turns or elevation changes. I deliberately tested full-lock turns in a parking lot and a couple of steep driveway transitions—no false triggers, no binding.

In rain, the jacket shed water and didn’t get slick to the point of being hard to handle. I also noticed that road grime wiped off easily with a towel; stainless core plus the polyurethane jacket seems to be a good combo for corrosion resistance. I haven’t had to test an actual breakaway event (nobody wants to), but based on the hardware and the way it interfaces with the pin, it’s built to do the one job it’s meant for: pull the pin cleanly when needed, and stay out of the way the rest of the time.

Safety notes worth minding

Even the best cable won’t help if it’s attached poorly. A few reminders I follow:
- Clip to a dedicated loop or a part of the hitch that’s independent of the removable ball mount, not to the safety chains or their mounts.
- Route the cable so it won’t snag during tight turns or scrape the ground.
- Ensure the breakaway switch aligns straight with the cable; avoid sharp bends at the pin.

The coil design helps with routing—it naturally shortens the slack—but it’s still worth a quick check before each tow.

Durability over time

I’ve used the cable through a few months of weekend towing and some daily hauling. The coil has retained its shape, the jacket hasn’t split, and the carabiner spring still snaps shut firmly. Stainless won’t eliminate every corrosion concern, but paired with the jacket, I expect it to outlast the typical bare or lightly coated wire cables I’ve replaced in the past.

Cold weather slightly stiffened the coil (as most polymers will), but it remained flexible enough to clip and unclip without a fight. I noticed zero fraying at the crimp points, which is where lesser cables tend to fail first.

Maintenance is minimal:
- Wipe off grit and road salt when you can.
- Inspect the crimp sleeves, the jacket near the hardware, and the carabiner gate action every few trips.
- Replace at the first sign of jacket cuts or exposed wire.

Everyday usability

Two things stood out in daily use:
- The coil keeps the cable from dragging, which saves both the cable and your driveway.
- The slightly thicker diameter is easier to grab with gloves, and the carabiner makes quick work of hitch-ups without threading tiny loops or fussing with keyrings.

From a day-to-day standpoint, it’s not just safer—it’s less annoying, and that matters when you’re trying to get out the door at dawn with a full checklist.

What could be improved

No product is perfect. A few minor notes:
- The included carabiner is adequate, but a locking gate option would be a nice touch for those who prefer a more secure latch (some owners may upgrade this themselves).
- On very compact tongues loaded with accessories (battery boxes, weight distribution brackets, wiring junctions), you’ll still need to plan your routing to keep the coil from rubbing. The jacket prevents damage, but tidy routing is key.
- It’s sold as a single cable, which is standard for this category, but the packaging image could better emphasize quantity to avoid assumptions.

None of these are dealbreakers, and all are easily addressed by the user if needed.

Value and alternatives

Breakaway cables are a small line item compared with the rest of a towing setup, but they’re a critical safety component. This one sits in the “buy once, don’t think about it again” category for me. You can find cheaper straight cables, but they tend to fray sooner and drag more often. Premium cables exist with fancier clips or branded finishes; functionally, this Performore option hits the sweet spot of materials and usability without charging for features that don’t add meaningful safety.

Who it’s for

• Trailer owners replacing a frayed or rusted breakaway cable.
• Anyone frustrated with straight cables that tangle with the 7‑way harness or scrape the ground.
• Tow setups where a compact, coiled profile is preferred (tight tongues, weight distribution hardware, auxiliary wiring).

If you’re running a very long tongue or an unusual hitch geometry, confirm the 6‑foot extension is sufficient; otherwise, this coil length is appropriate for most bumper-pull trailers.

Final take

The Performore breakaway cable is a simple upgrade that delivers on the essentials: durable materials, a coil that stays out of the way, and hardware that’s quick to use. It tidied up my hitch area, eliminated dragging, and gave me more confidence that the breakaway system will work as intended without adding hassle.

Recommendation: I recommend it. The combination of stainless core, UV‑resistant jacket, and practical coiled design results in a safer, cleaner, and more durable setup than most stock cables. For a modest cost and a two‑minute installation, it’s an easy win for anyone towing a trailer.