Breakway switch

[RVnwithRAM]

I forgot to untach my break away switch cable while un hooking from my 5th. and it pulled the pin out . I put the pin back in the switch . Will it still work when I get ready to hook up again ?

 

[Jim W]

I forgot to untach my break away switch cable while un hooking from my 5th. and it pulled the pin out . I put the pin back in the switch . Will it still work when I get ready to hook up again ?

Yes, I have even pulled mine out turning in a campground once the cable got caught under the hitch and pulled out.

Jim W.

 

[crispyboy]

The break away switch sends a full 12volts to the trailer brake system. It is just a switch and it is good to exercise these things and make sure your brakes work when it is pulled out.
Did you have the brake controller hooked up when it happened? I imagine it could give a brake controller a fit.

 

[RVnwithRAM]

no I had my electric cord unpluged . I have been camping for over 25 yrs. and this is the first time I did a dumb thing like this but since I'm 75 yrs. old I blame on age . I thought it would be ok but just wanted to make sure . Thany every one for your help.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Yes, I have even pulled mine out turning in a campground once the cable got caught under the hitch and pulled out.



Jim W.

Years ago when I towed a 31-ft. Airstream trailer, I had the same thing happen to me when making a left turn at an intersection. It took me a couple of seconds to figure what happened. I quickly jumped out of my Chevy Suburban tow vehicle and re-installed the plug while blocking traffic at the busy intersection.



Bill

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The switch is simple, one stationary contact and one springy blade that touches the other contact when it is not spaced away by the plastic pin.

 

[B.G. Smith]

All above is excellent advice. If the trailer was stopped then you really don't know if pulling the switch plunger out set the brakes? Next time you hook up I would test the switch/brakes by pulling the plunger out and see if it is working. Do this before you hook up the trailer cord. I have read that if the breakaway switch battery is wired opposit to the truck battery it will fry the brake controller. I can't see how this could happen except on a cargo trailer where the battery is not charged by the truck. I had a 79 Airstream once and the breakaway switch would not energize the brakes, took it apart and one of the contacts had deformed and would not touch the other. bg

 

[jhenderson]

Testing the breakaway switch should be part of your pre-trip walk around. Ask me how I know.

 

[jelag]

The switches I've seen have a specific direction they need to be installed in... they don't function well if the pin is 90* off... . I agree with the walk around test... but let me share why I carry a spare... BTW we were running commercial plates and DOT #'s... . I was in Canada, at a scale house and was going through a safety inspection... the inspector wanted to inspect the break away and pulled it out... he didn't pull it out straight and actually broke the plastic pin... thus locking the trailer brakes, and with a broken pin no way to move the trailer... You should have seen the look on the guys face as the broken piece dropped to the ground...

I said... . you broke it... I sure hope you have a replacement... he refused to offer a replacement and the argument moved to the office from the parking lot... Than an argument with the supervisor at the scale house started... he, finally conceded that they broke it and they started to call around and find a replacement for me... So the trailer is sitting there... with the brakes locked... drawing 10 amps of power. . to move the trailer out of the area I had to cut the wire to release the brakes... move and park the trailer... the closest one was 25 miles away. . I suggested they get in a pickup... and go get it... or have it delivered... under duress the supervisor called his boss and of course was scolded for not using the proper process to remove the pin... I finally drove the 25 miles. . the part in Canada was almost $10... .

When I got back to the shop. . I owned a business and we had several trailers. . I called our parts supplier and ordered a spare for every trailer... The interesting thing was that in the US we'd never had that break away system tested during the safety inspections...

I looked at some of our older trailers and this pin on them is aluminum but all I could find to purchase was plastic ones... so the lesson here is to have a spare and be careful. .

 

[Kennywould]

A very good reason to check them, here in PA if you get stopped by the locals and they do a safety check, they will pull the breakaway and if it does not work you may get a ticket. Lets you know that the battery is charged on the trailer also when you pre-trip and check it.

 

[AH64ID]

Like jelag I have had the plastic tab break on me. I generally replace the cheap switch with an all metal one, as I frequently use the brakes as a parking brake on uneven ground when camping. Now I just use the park brake feature of my max brake, but still like to know the brakeaway works.

http://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-2009-P-Metal-Breakaway-Switch/dp/B004WLL2ZA

 

[jhenderson]

The Commercial Enforcement Squad in RI must have had a similar experience as the Canadians. Every time I have been pulled over for inspection, they have had ME pull the pin to check the breakaway switch.

 

[Newt]

The Commercial Enforcement Squad in RI must have had a similar experience as the Canadians. Every time I have been pulled over for inspection, they have had ME pull the pin to check the breakaway switch.

I wouldn't think they could "make" you pull the pin.

I have refused similar requests before with no ill effects.

Newt

 

[jhenderson]

The breakaway switch is a safety item and as such may be inspected for satisfactory operation. Were you running as a commercial hauler when the request was made? Around here refusal would net you an Out Of Service sticker until it was shown to be operational.