Can Trailer Be Towed if Battery in Breakaway Kit is Dead

Published 10/26/2016

Question:

Does the Breakaway battery need to be charged in order to pull the trailer without the brakes engaged? If the Breakaway Kit battery is dead will it lock the brakes until the battery is charged?

asked by: Ken L

Expert Reply:

Your trailer's brakes will not lock up from the battery in a breakaway kit, like the Hopkins Brake Master # HM20001 being dead. If the breakaway battery is dead there won't be any power supplied from the system and it wouldn't have any impact on your brakes.

Your breakaway battery should be tested before towing. If it's dead then it will not be able to do it's job of engaging your trailer's brakes in the event your trailer is separated from your tow vehicle.

expert reply by: Charles S