Purchased trailer 1989 and has breakaway switch mounted. No pin....which is odd...because the brakes should be locked? Maybe it's rigged not to? It is wired to my 12 volt battery. When to Napa and guy says they sell a kit that has its own battery. I said "mine is connected to 12v battery". He says "must not be standard". Ok...confused. Mine is a Bargman.Then he says he can order breakaway switch alone with 7" cord. 7" Sounds too short?Not sure what to do. Thought I just need this hooked to my 12 volt:http://www.autozone.com/trailer-hitch-hitch-balls-and-towing-accessories/break-away-kit/bargman-breakaway-switch-with-48-in-cable/442665_0_0/

Any RV dealer will have standard break away switches. Cable lengths can vary, but making a new one is pretty easy.

Yes with no pin the brakes should be locked if there is power to them. They may be worn out also. Could also be the brake solenoids are also bad. You can buy replacement pins, but they must be exact replacements and pull easily. The 7" replacement is about right. That is the size that I purchased for my dolly when I converted to electric brakes. The length of the wire can be increased if necessary. If you have a good battery on the trailer you do not need a stand alone battery. I put the battery pack on my dolly as the dolly does not have a battery.It sounds to me by your post that you have an 89 trailer and the brake system should be gone through thoroughly and be repaired where needed. JMO

Here is your Autozone link. It is the correct one. The NAPA guy needs to go bac to school.Some locals can sell just the key for the switch. Maybe that is what he is thinking. Since yours is not operating, I would replace the whole thing and get it fixed. The blue wire in umbilical cord should be connected to the dead side of the breakaway switch. The wire could have been cut off somewhere when the key got lost.Autozone link

There are two types of breakaway switches. One without the battery, which you want, because you have a battery already on the TT. The other type of breakway switch that includes a battery and box are for those trailers that don't normally have a battery such as utility trailers, horse trailers, & stock trailers. The breakaway switches for those trailers have a small battery box and battery included. The box is approx 6" X 6"X 6". Napa sells both because they are vehicle parts dealers. The Napa guy was leaving the choice up to you. RV dealers only sell one type because they deal mostly with RVs. Hope that clears it up. Doubt he needs to go back to school for selling both types. Many people don't realize there are two types.

I had napa guy order me 7" switch. Will see if it does the job. I will report back. Thanks for the great advise all!

Breakaway Switch | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 16, 2015
Doubt bubble compass will work. Needle is fixed to outside portion and bubble inside moves when direction changes.

Need an orientation type compass....one that needle remains fixed to magnetic north as whole compass moves.
It's needle will deflect (point towards) the brake assembly energized magnet
cs2kplus
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
I have a bubble compass. What do you mean by deflection? What does the compass read prior to and after pin removed?
cs2kplus
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
love the compass idea. now.....to find a compass.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 15, 2015
OR hold a compass next to each wheel and then have someone pull the pin out.

Brake magnet energizes.....compass needle with point to it

No deflection of compass needle...........magnet not getting power
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2015
Also disconnect the 7-way connector to avoid damaging your brake controller. And yes you can give it a tug with the pin out. It shouldn't move, maybe very hard to move!
RandACampin
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2015
Look inside the old switch, the plastic pin may have been broken off inside the box allowing it to still function (keep the brakes from activating)
cs2kplus
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
OK. I do believe I am functional now. I got a rig terminal and tied the white to ground. The black went to battery power and blue to trailer. I tested black power with pin in. Gets a red light. I pulled the pin. The box itself lights up red. Seems like a good thing. I test the black power power with pin out and no red light. Sounds like I am good. Final test I imagine would be to pull the pin and pull the trailer? Someone told me to do that. But I am not sure if that would damage the brakes? Maybe just a slight tug?
cs2kplus
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
Its probably same one.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Trailer-Breakaway-Pin-Cable-Kit-Hopkins-Manufacturing/_/R-BK_7551781_0209699109

Yes I do have diagram. My colors are both black leading from trailer. I just need to make sure which one is brake.

I mounted last week and have not gotten back to it yet. I'd like to get a ring lug for the ground.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 15, 2015
Didn't the breakaway switch come with a wiring diagram?

This is probably the one you bought, or similar:

http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Hopkins/HM20060.html
BTPO1
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
enblethen wrote:
Yes, the white wire is ground. It is to provide ground for the LED. Black wire is 12 volt and the blue wire connects to the trailers brakes.

Yes, Bud I believe that you are correct on the white wire. I have never seen ground wire on the switch itself, but I guess that it could have one. My brakeaway switch only has the mounting tab and two black leads. On etailer I do see the battery pack for the brakes do have a black, blue, and white lead. I can see having a ground wire for that, but not the switch as it is only breaking a circuit. JMO

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Breakaway Switch

22 Replies

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