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riven1950's avatar
riven1950
Explorer
Oct 14, 2016

break away switch killed by Matthew

We evacuated our house on the NC coast for Hurricane Matthew. Went about 170 miles inland. We missed the big winds but it rained for about 24 hours straight.

When we hooked up to leave my GF noticed the break away switch was just hanging. " what is this " she asked. I was explaining and went to hook it back up and noticed the box it fits in was pretty much melted and actually smoking a bit.

Anyway, being Sunday, hurricane, a lot of power out, I decided to just cut the wires and tape them off. We made it home ok with the TT, which is more than I can say for my S&B, but that is another story.

Couple of questions:

Is the likely cause just a piece of **** switch that got too wet and shorted or should I check something else out, wiring wise?

Any recommendations on a good replacement to buy or are they all pretty much the same?

2014 Apex 215rb TT

Thanks in advance,
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 14, 2016
    Are you saying the 'pin' was pulled out of the break away switch (box)??

    Pin pulled allows FULL Trailer Battery Voltage to go to trailer brakes.
    And if you were connected to AC Shore Power the battery continued to energize the trailer brake magnets the whole time pin was pulled out of switch.

    That is why box melted....excessive 12V DC Voltage over a long time period


    You need a new break away switch (Kit comes complete...pin/switch/cable) and they are basically all the same (Just a couple of metal spring clips that are held apart by pin)

    Pick one up at most any auto parts store....NAPA, Autozone, Carquest, O'Reillys ----LINK

    You should also check each trailer brake assembly wiring & magnets for damage.
    Prolonged voltage can cause damage to magnets and wires
  • riven1950's avatar
    riven1950
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2016
    Yes, the pin was out of the box. I don't know when it came out. I was thinking it shorted and fell out due to the melted box. We could have pulled it out, or finished pulling it out when we were hooking up. Was also thinking it just happened since it was smoking a bit when we noticed it. Pretty sure we did not pull it out when we disconnected. Mystery to me as to how or when the pin came out, but it did.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2016
    Add ETRAILER.com to the list where these switch assemblies are available on-line.

    Hopefully the BRAKE MAGNETS survived the long period of full 12VDC power being applied... Each brake magnet should pull 3AMPs DC current when 12VDC Bttery voltage is applied.

    Roy Ken
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Oct 15, 2016
    The switch isn hurt by a little water.
    THere's really very little to it; when the pin is pulled it allows two pieces of spring metal to touch each other and complete the 12V to the brakes.
    Unless the contacts have been damaged, they should still be fine and you can just put the pin back in.
  • austingta's avatar
    austingta
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2016
    Did you forget to disconnect it when you unhooked last time? On mine, ain't no way flood water or wind would disconnect it. Maybe a small investment in a new one would be well placed.
  • riven1950's avatar
    riven1950
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2016
    Did you forget to disconnect it when you unhooked last time?


    Don't understand the question. Are you saying I should disconnect ( pull the pin ) when I disconnect from the TV?

    I have never pulled the pin, intentionally at least. I thought you only would do that to test the BA switch.
  • RedRocket204's avatar
    RedRocket204
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2016
    NO, you do not need to pull the pin when you disconnect from the trailer, proper chocks are all that is needed. Not sure why there seems to be reference to pulling that pin for just disconnecting from the TV.
  • Roadpilot's avatar
    Roadpilot
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2016
    I think he means that when the trailer is connected to the vehicle during travel the pin is connected to the tow vehicle so if the trailer breaks away it activates the trailer brakes.

    I think he's asking if when the tow vehicle was disconnected from the trailer did someone forget to disconnect the wire going to the pin.
  • austingta's avatar
    austingta
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2016
    riven1950 wrote:
    Did you forget to disconnect it when you unhooked last time?


    Don't understand the question. Are you saying I should disconnect ( pull the pin ) when I disconnect from the TV?

    I have never pulled the pin, intentionally at least. I thought you only would do that to test the BA switch.


    If you leave the breakaway cable attached to the frame of the tow vehicle and you disconnect the hitch and safety chains and drive away, you WILL pull the pin on the breakaway switch and drag the cable behind you. The brakes will be energized and will stay that way as long as the battery holds out.
  • riven1950's avatar
    riven1950
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2016
    I think he means that when the trailer is connected to the vehicle during travel the pin is connected to the tow vehicle so if the trailer breaks away it activates the trailer brakes.

    I think he's asking if when the tow vehicle was disconnected from the trailer did someone forget to disconnect the wire going to the pin.


    Ok, now I understand what the poster is saying. No I have never left the BA connected to the TV when unhooking. That's probably the only mistake I have not made. LOL

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