I towed my trailer to the dealer for repairs and forgot to hook up the battery. The trailer brakes worked. So does that mean you don't need the battery for the brakes and lights to work ?
Working trailer brakes via emergency brake switch (trailer battery) is REQUIRED by law on trailers above typically 3000# GVWR (Some state have lower/higher weight limits)
MI is 3000#
Should never tow without a working trailer battery