Major Screwup: I accidentally caught my breakaway cable under my tongue jack pad, raised the camper up off the hitch and ripped plunger downward and out of box. I cut the cables to it and should be able get it home.

That is not a problem. You can get a new plunger/cable here for about $7 or a whole new breakaway assembly for $10.Your local trailer dealer or hitch house should have them also.Barney

If the plunger got pulled out this will drain your trailer battery real quick. Each brake magnet on your trailer will draw 3AMPS DC current when 12VDC is applied.The BRAKE MAGNETS are not designed to have 12VDC on them for a very long period as well. This may burn them up leaving 12VDC on them for any long length of time.I use ETRAILER.COM for all of my trailer electrical items. I can also use the ETRAILER parts numbers and order through AMAZON as well. Get two day service doing this...Roy Ken

Disconnect the batteries until you can get a new break away switch or plunger. This sill drain the batteries if left connected.Additionally, I would not tow the trailer until the break away swich was operational again.Ken

Disconnect or cut one of the wires coming out of the break away switch. It could energize or it may even be locked up.

Accidentally destroyed my emergency brake controller pluger

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2015
So did you crank her up and get home yet? :h

I would have
BenK
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
The LEO's catch lots of things with their 'broken tail light lens' stops...that
is the way of it...no matter like it or not...

All part of the risk management decisions...aka gambling...
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 26, 2015
Yes it's "illegal" to tow without a functional breakaway system, but when is the last time an RVer has been pulled over and checked for a functional breakaway?

Sometimes you are over a barrel and just have to get the job done, **** the torpedoes and the worry-warts and the naysayers. Go with the odds that "probably" nothing will happen because nothing's happened so far, drive careful, and get the rig home.
BenK
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
This is just 'part' of the whole safety system

It might be illegal in your state to tow without it functioning properly. Like
not hooking up or right sized safety chains

There are lots of liability 'things' that anyone towing...heck even driving solo
must adhere to

Ignorance is no excuse
Ozlander
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
Why not just stick the plunger back in the box????
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 26, 2015
Having a functional breakaway switch does not absolve you of liability if the trailer comes loose from the truck.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Oct 25, 2015
BIG liability issues if the trailer does come loose!!!

Once hooked up properly, is there any historical data pertaining to a fifth wheel coming loose and going down the road on its own?
Oasisbob
Explorer
Oct 25, 2015
If plunger is out batteries will drain as they are powered up. If it makes you feel any better I once lowered my tongue jack onto my pig tail and left it there for three days. Broke all wires. Had to splice and go home for new pig tail. Live & learn.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Oct 25, 2015
RAS43 wrote:
PAThwacker wrote:
Major Screwup: I accidentally caught my breakaway cable under my tongue jack pad, raised the camper up off the hitch and ripped plunger downward and out of box. I cut the cables to it and should be able get it home..

The way I read this the OP has cut the wires to the switch. The absolute correct thing to do would be to replace the switch before moving the trailer. However, if it was me and I needed to get home I'd haul it there and make repairs later after making sure I was hitched correctly. Finding a switch might be difficult on a Sunday.

BIG liability issues if the trailer does come loose!!!
RAS43
Explorer III
Oct 25, 2015
PAThwacker wrote:
Major Screwup: I accidentally caught my breakaway cable under my tongue jack pad, raised the camper up off the hitch and ripped plunger downward and out of box. I cut the cables to it and should be able get it home..

The way I read this the OP has cut the wires to the switch. The absolute correct thing to do would be to replace the switch before moving the trailer. However, if it was me and I needed to get home I'd haul it there and make repairs later after making sure I was hitched correctly. Finding a switch might be difficult on a Sunday.