Troubleshooting Hopkins Trailer Breakaway Unit That Does Not Engage Trailer Brakes

Updated 09/21/2017 | Published 09/20/2017

Question:

Hi, I have installed a hopkins breakaway system but the brakes do not operate after pulling the pin. Breaks work great connected to the vehicle but not when pin is pulled. I have 12 volts coming out of the pin switch but will not operate the brakes. Have traced the wire back and it is connected to the brake wire coming from the 7 pin

asked by: Rob M

Expert Reply:

You can refer to the linked article on breakaway kit installation for help in confirming that your Hopkins unit is wired correctly. The two blue wires from the switch should be spliced to the trailer brake circuit and to the breakaway battery box, as shown in the linked diagram. Also be sure the ground and 12V power wires, white and black wire respectively, are connected securely.

If it is wired correctly the issue may be that your breakaway battery is not fully charged. A fully-charged breakaway should be able to keep the trailer brakes engaged for no less than 15-minutes.

expert reply by: Adam R