Troubleshooting Melted Trailer Breakaway Wiring

Question

Question:

I have what looks like a Hopkins HM20010 emergency brake disconnect switch on a new travel trailer that looks to have melted on one side. Could this be due to a faulty switch or wired incorrectly? I have pictures.

asked by: Brad P

0

Expert Reply:

Melted wires is typically due to a short. It's hard to say exactly what caused your short but you will need to check wiring of your breakaway setup, specifically where the wires connect to the battery, to see if you can find a short and fix as needed.

If I had to guess it sounds like the wire that attaches between the switch and the battery has a short to the frame of your trailer and that is what melted it.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Answer 1

It sounds like either that is not the ground wire or there is a short to ground somewhere that you will need to track down. First, on the trailer, the one covered pin is the ground so make sure that is the wire you are attaching to a clean and…

view full answer...

Answer 2

If you are going to back your trailer in the water while it is still connected to the tow vehicle, you will need it to be waterproof. Whether or not it is water proof depends on the trailer, the construction, how it is wired, and if the taillight…

view full answer...

Answer 3

Running a direct ground up to the trailer tongue or junction box would certainly work, but the only time I'd see that as being necessary is if the lamps were connected to a non metallic structure or a metallic structure that wasn't directly…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Each lamp needs to be grounded either through its mounting studs being in direct contact with the trailer frame or by having a jumper wire ran from the lamp to the trailer frame. Ground the trailer connector at the front of the trailer, which will…

view full answer...

Answer 5

The Digital Thermostat ACTH12 is a confusing thermostat since it can be used with heat pumps, heat strips and furnaces. First you will want to make sure you have the dip switches on the back of the controller set up correctly. If you are just using…

view full answer...

Answer 6

We do offer the Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing, part #15123 for your trailer but I was unable to find a cross-reference for the Timken 09067 bearing you stated you need. You can measure the inner diameter and see if there are any bearings from the…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Hey David, thanks for the picture. I was able to track down a spec sheet for your Dexter axle which I have included below. The 031-029-02 bearing is item #15123 and the 031-030-02 bearing is item #25580. For a bearing kit you can use part #BK3-110…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Having a cross-pin coupler lock like #e98888 in place isn't required, but it's a good idea for both theft protection and protection against vandalism.

view full answer...

Answer 9

The best way to secure your trailer with the #DM89FR coupler is to use a locking pin such as #e98888 to deter the coupler from being tampered with. I would also recommend the etrailer Trailer Wheel Lock #288-02020 for added security.

view full answer...

Answer 10

Hey Vince, thanks for all of the info on your spindle. Based on that what you have it is actually a spindle for a 3,500 lb axle so you'd need a larger hub and drum like the part #84546UC3-EZ which is a 10 inch diameter hub/drum. Then for brake…

view full answer...

Answer 11

A breakaway switch is a very basic device so you can use switch #HM20010 with your braking system. But I recently learned that the BrakeBuddy switches use banana clips to connect to the BrakeBuddy itself. To use this switch you would need to obtain…

view full answer...

Troubleshooting Melted Trailer Breakaway Wiring

Featured Help Information

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching