breakaway switch and cable
Hello - I am fairly new to this and after about 15 trips in my little RV I realized I wasn't hooking up the breakaway cable as it was broken and zip tied through my safety chains. I've ordered a new c...
Forum Discussion
Cinderelle wrote:
Thank you all for your replies - a lot of good info. And YES, I do have a 12v marine battery on the tongue of my trailer. During my research, I was quite confused because it seemed like to me that the breakaway switch was supposed have it's own little battery box. So now I understand that this switch runs off my RV battery. And thanks for the tip about buying an extra switch. I can't believe someone would steal that! Hopefully this is correct protocol in replying to everyone, this is my first time on this forum. THANKS! The next thing I need to do is to test the switch. I read that with the wheels turning, pull the switch out and the brakes should lock. That makes me a bit nervous, is it safe to do this if I am towing the TT VERY slowly, to have someone pull the pin out? Or should I take it to a garage and have it put a lift for testing?
Hook up your trailer and make sure the breakaway switch is connected. Now pull the pin breakaway switch out. Now very slowly try to move the trailer a few feet. If you feel the trailer dragging and it does not feel the trailer is moving freely or that the trailer will not move at all then you know the breakaway switch is working as it should. Now reattach the pin into the breakaway switch, your should trailer should now move freely.
Don't forget to also adjust your trailer brakes control switch. Drive your trailer to about 20 miles per hour, then slide the brake switch all the way closed, your trailer should come to a stop without locking up the trailer brakes completely. If the trailer brakes lock up and start skidding the you need to make the adjustment of your brake control until your trailer will come to a stop without locking up the trailer tires and skidding. Job done.
