See what our Experts say about this Hopkins Trailer Breakaway Kit

• Adding Parking Brakes To Jayco Feather 19XUD
  You are only be able to add parking brakes to your trailer brakes if those brake assemblies are already equipped with a parking brake actuator. You can tell if your brakes are equipped with a parking brake by looking at the backing plate-there will be an actuating lever at the top of the brake assembly that attached to parking brake cable (see photo). If your brakes are not equipped with a parking brake feature, then you could wire a switch that would power the brakes when you are parked,...
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• Can Solar Panel be Used to Charge Breakaway Battery
  Sure, if you don't want to use a breakaway battery system with a built-in charger like the Hopkins Engager # 20099, you can use a solar panel. What you can use for a smaller breakaway battery is the 2.5-Watt Solar Battery Charger # PTW2997. However, this has alligator clamps so it will be a bit more cumbersome to utilize; if your breakaway battery is a 12-volt battery with at least 5 amp-hours a better option due to its ring terminals is the Bright Way Solar Battery Charger - 7.5 Watt...
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• How to Wire a Breakaway Switch to the Trailer Battery
  In order to install a two wire breakaway switch like the Replacement Breakaway Switch with Cable and Pin part # 3802348 to an existing trailer battery you will want to attach one of the wires to the brake output signal (usually blue) on the trailer and the other wire to the trailer battery. The wires are non-polarized so it doesn't matter which wire is attached to battery/brake output signal. However, most states require that the breakaway switch be wired to a separate independent battery...
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• Converting an M105A Military Trailer Air Over Hydraulic to Electric Over Hydraulic Drum Brakes
  I have the perfect solution for you! The first thing you need to do is swap out your actuator and for that I recommend using the USA made HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Drum Brakes # HBA-12 because this company makes very reliable equipment and they receive great reviews from our customers. From my information military trailers like your M105A use larger 1/4" brake lines so you should also need the Fitting # HS43-9035 to make this actuator compatible with your trailer brake...
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• Recommended Electric Trailer Jack And Wiring To 7-Way 12V Connection
  For a 3500 lb Electric Jack, I recommend the Bulldog Powered-Drive Trailer Jack - Drop Leg - A-Frame - 14" Lift - 3,500 lbs - Black # BD500187. This jack uses a 12 volt system, so it is compatible with your 7-way although a battery is always a better option like # 20099. To use the 7-way, this can be done by splicing into the trailer harness wiring or using a junction box like # 38656. If you want the juction box and 7 way you can use # HS381-9000. Whether you choose to splice into...
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• How Can I Identify an Axle Without a Sticker?
  Thank you for the pictures! It looks like you've got some sort of square drop axle on your trailer and if you can't find an identifying sticker, I can still help you figure out what you've got so that you can make the swap to electric brakes on your trailer. It looks like you've got 6 bolts on the wheels, which can help narrow down our search, but we'll need to know what size the brakes on the trailer are and if possible, what size (or number) the inner and outer bearings are on the hubs. If...
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• Yellow Charge Light On Hopkins Engager Stays On with Trailer Disconnected
  In regards to the Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit part # 20099, the first issue that you described of the yellow charge light being on even while disconnected from the tow vehicle could either be a short in the circuit board or if the trailer has an auxiliary battery this is then feeding the breakaway battery and in which case you would need to install a diode part # RM-690 to prevent this. The issue with the yellow charge light illuminating when the battery test button...
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• Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Kit Recommendation for Older Dexter D1012 Axles
  Hey Tom, thanks for reaching out! I tried reaching out to Dexter about what the correct replacement would be for your axles but I haven't heard back from them yet. I'm not sure if there is any difference between air axles and standard axles, but from the information you gave me I believe the Hydrastar Disc Brake Kit w/ Actuator for Tandem Axle Trailers # HSE7K-T1 and Breakaway Battery Kit # 20099 will work. One thing I recommend doing though is checking to make sure the bearings and seal...
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• How to Install a Brake Controller on a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with Factory Tow Package
  I have exactly what you will need for your 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to tow your Vintage Airstream with brakes. The first thing you will want is a 7-way trailer connector at the rear of the vehicle and for this I recommend the Hopkins Endurance Quick-Install 7-Way Trailer Connector part # HM42190 which is a direct plug and play option that will not require you to cut or splice any wires/circuits. The square plug on the end of this connector will plug into and replace the 4-way trailer...
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• Troubleshooting UPG Breakaway Kit To Allow Trailer Transport To Service Center
  You can get your trailer to a repair center without a breakaway battery working. You will just need to disconnect the power going to the switch for the pin prior to the pin. This will disengage your breakaway system until you can get it looked at. If there is still power going to your brakes, there is a short somewhere else in your system. Another option is to get the kit and replace it yourself. If you just need a battery, I recommend the Breakaway Kit Replacement 12 V Battery # HM20008....
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• Troubleshooting Voltage Drop with New Electric Brake Assemblies on Trailer
  Some voltage drop off as power travels to each brake assembly on the trailer can be normal (within 1-2 volts of drop), especially if you have a longer trailer . If you are testing the brake output wires right before the assemblies themselves and getting 10.4 volts then this probably isn't an issue. Also make sure when you're testing for voltage that you have the brake controller set to max power and you're using the manual override (not stepping on the brake pedal). Something else that...
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• Parts Needed to Change a Triple Axle Kaufman Trailer from Electric to Electric Over Hydraulic Brakes
  To change your electric brakes on your Kaufman trailer to an electric over hydraulic (EOH) system you will need to hydraulic brakes, brake lines, an EOH actuator, a breakaway kit (which you should already have), and a brake controller (which you should already have). I highly recommend going with the HydraStar EOH Actuator # HBA-12 which is one of the best options out there and has received great reviews from other customers. We hardly ever see any troubleshooting questions about these...
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• Parts Needed to Add Electric Brakes to ShoreLand'r Boat Trailer
  Hey Ryan! We don't have a way to identify your axle using the VIN so you will have to check and see what axle you have before we can find the right parts. I would start by checking the axle tag. It may have the capacity listed or, at least a serial number the axle manufacturer could use to identify it. If not, you will need to check and see what bearings you have. The part numbers may be stamped in the side or you can measure the inner diameter with a digital caliper # PTW80157. If you...
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• What is the Difference in Hopkins Engager Breakaway Systems 20099 and 20400
  Hopkins Engager breakaway systems # 20099 and # 20400 function the same way and have the same features. The main difference is in how they mount. Engager # 20099 is meant to be mounted on top of the frame with the LED indicator and test button facing up. Engager # 20400 was meant to be mounted to the side of the trailer frame so that its LED indicator and test button are also facing up. You will want to make sure the battery in the system you use is protected. That is why breakaway systems...
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• How to Release the Brakes on a Trailer Once the Break Away Switch Is Activated
  If you still have the plunger end that goes in the break away switch, then you can simply insert the plunger back into the switch and that should cut off the power to the brakes on your trailer. If you no longer have the plunger, then you can either remove the break away battery or cut one of the wires going to or from the break away switch. One wire is coming from the break away battery and the other is going to the brake circuit on the trailer. Cutting one of those wires will terminate...
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• Recommended Breakaway Battery Kit With Charger For A 3" Tall Trailer Tongue
  Hey Jared, The Hopkins Engager Trailer Breakaway Kit w/Charger # 20099 has a small enough mounting pattern to fit your 3" tall trailer tongue. The mounting holes are spaced 1-1/2" center to center vertically and 5-1/2" center to center horizontally. There's six mounting holes but using four would be enough to secure it to the tongue. Some self-tapping screws would easily drill into the frame and hold the box, but be careful not to overtighten your screws as all of this breakaway batteries...
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• Why Does Engager Break-Away System On Horse Trailer Drain Battery On Vehicle and Trailer?
  The Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit # 20099 should not be draining the battery from your vehicle or from the breakaway battery unless the cable is pulled out. What could be happening is the breakaway Battery # HM20008 is unable to hold a charge and when connected to your vehicle it is trying to charge the battery which kills the vehicle battery. But when disconnected since the battery cannot maintain a charge it also dies very quickly. If you still want to use a toggle...
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• RV Fridge is Draining Trailers Battery
  The 12 volt pin on the vehicle's 7-way is mainly used to maintain a charge on a 12 volt battery or charge a small breakaway battery. It will not be sufficient enough to charge a standard 12 volt battery that is used to power appliances on your trailer. In order to keep the battery charged on your trailer you are absolutely going to need a battery charger and for this I recommend the Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger # 331-BCDC1225D. This charger will use power from the vehicle's alternator...
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• Recommended Breakaway Kit for Trailer with Electric Over Hydraulic Brakes
  The Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit part # 20099 is our most popular breakaway system which comes the switch, pin, and battery. This kit in particular also has an easy to use push to test feature. It will work just fine on a trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes. In order to convert to a standard 7-way setup you'll want to use the etrailer Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit part # HS381-9000.
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• Can Brakes be Added to 3,500 Pound Dexter Trailer Axle
  Yes, brakes can be added to your trailer and I've linked an article to help with the parts you'll need. The first thing you'll need is the brake mounting flanges welded to the axle, like you mentioned. The correct flange is # 4-35 however these need to be welded by a qualified welder because the mounting flange must be welded square and concentric. This is generally done using a jig at a trailer shop. I've linked our selection of hub and drum assemblies for 3,500 pound axles. You'll...
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• Can a Trailer Break Away Battery be Charged from the 7-Way Trailer Connector
  If you have a break away kit that does not include a charger, you can provide a charge to the battery using the 12 volt circuit or auxiliary circuit from the vehicle 7-Way trailer connector. However, using the 7-Way can overcharge a break away battery. It would better to add a charger designed for a break away battery like # 20011.
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• Operation of Parking Brake on Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies
  The Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly w/ Parking Brake # K23-086-00 and # K23-087-00 both utilize the 12V power from your electric brake controller for regular brake operation or the 12V breakaway battery for emergency braking, but utilizes the manual lever on the backside of the brake assembly for a mechanical brake to hold your trailer in place when the parking brake cable assembly is used. For this mechanical parking brake feature Dexter doesn't offer an assembly for their brake...
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• Charging a Trailer Breakaway System Battery Using the 12 Volt Circuit on a 7-Way Connector
  To charge the battery in the Engager Trailer BreakAway Kit, # 20099, you can attach the wire from the 12 volt circuit on the trailer side 7-Way (1 oclock position on the back of the trailer side 7-Way where the wires attach) to the input wire on the trailer breakaway system. This system has a charger built in to it. As long as it is connected to a function 12 volt circuit it will charge the battery. When connected to the towing vehicle and the vehicle on and/or running, the 12 volt circuit...
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• Hydraulic Drum Brake to Electric Drum Brake Conversion for 8-247 Hubs
  To convert your 8-247 Dexter hubs # 84546UC3 from hydraulic to electric, you can simply use the same hubs if they are in good shape. If you don't need to replace them, I recommend updating the bearings and seal since you have them apart. For your inner bearing you want # L68149, for your outer bearing # L44649, and then grease seal # 58846. Then for the brake assemblies, I recommend the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 10" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K # 23-468-469...
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