Correct Wiring Installation for aTrailer Breakaway Kit

Updated 03/13/2017 | Published 03/11/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Soft Trac I Trailer Breakaway Kit with 5 Ah Battery - Side Load

(42)

$54.70

NOCO Genius Smart Battery Charger - AC to DC - 6V/12V - 5 Amp

(164)

$69.82

Question:

When wiring a gooseneck trailer does the 12v supply meant to charge the breakaway battery? Should this be a direct line from the vehicle battery? Or should I have a fuse? what size?

asked by: John C

Expert Reply:

If you are installing a trailer breakaway kit like # C52041, then you can use the 12-volt auxiliary power wire to help provide a maintenance charge on your breakaway kit's battery.

A breakaway kit that does not have an onboard charger will have to use 3 wires to operate. One red or black wire (12-volt power) that will come off the 12 volt auxiliary circuit. This wire will keep a maintenance charge on the battery when connected to your vehicle. A white wire that will be the ground and a blue wire that is to the breakaway switch.

You won't need a fuse because the circuit will already be protected on the vehicle side. Also, if that battery has discharged and is dead, the auxiliary circuit will not recharge the battery up to an operating charge. You will need to use a charger like the NOCO Genius # 329-GENIUS5 to recharge a fully depleted battery.

expert reply by: Jared P