Towing without a battery

Bumpyroad wrote:
of course if he has an accident there will be issues for towing something requiring brakes with no brake hookup. it is not for the "emergency" brakes, it is for the trailer brakes to assist the TV in stopping.
bumpy

Not true, the brakes get their power from a different wire. The trailer brake controller provides that voltage directly to the brakes. To operate as you have stated would take a variable relay, which is not part of the equation.

The only thing the battery is for is the emergency brakes if the trailer separates from the truck.

If you look at the wiring the emergency brake-away switch has two wires. One goes to the 12V + side of the battery (actually a distribution point in the front of the trailer) and the other taps into the brake system. Unless the emergency brakes are activated they are separate systems.

Yes, it'll work. My fifth wheel was brought to me in MD by a delivery driver from Indiana this past time without a battery since the compartment was locked.

of course if he has an accident there will be issues for towing something requiring brakes with no brake hookup. it is not for the "emergency" brakes, it is for the trailer brakes to assist the TV in stopping.
bumpy

Make sure to tape over the positive battery lead(s) so that it/they do not contact the trailer frame or other wiring.

tekman741 wrote:
So a co-worker has a TT and wants to move a short distance but does not have his battery close by. He wants to know if he'll still have break lights, running lights etc if only hooked to the vehicles 7pin connector?

Yep. He will have every thing except emergency brakes. The only thing the battery operates is the emergency brakes if the trailer becomes unhooked.