Trailer Breakaway Switch Wiring

Updated 03/15/2018 | Published 03/14/2018

Question:

I read the previous post to the fellow with the Hopkins-type switch. I just purchased a travel trailer with a broken switch cable so, I bought a new one. When I crawled under the trailer to uninstall the old one, I noticed that there are TWO blue wires and both are connected to a junction box behind the front crossbar of the trailer. Heres the question: as this setup has no BA switch battery, does it matter which of the two blue wires I attach to the existing connectors in junction box?

asked by: Max

Expert Reply:

You must have a separate trailer-mounted battery to power the trailer breakaway in the event of a vehicle/trailer disconnect. This can be a small breakaway battery like that included in kit # 20099 or it can be a full-size trailer-mounted battery that also powers lights, etc.

Either way the battery that will stop the trailer in a breakaway emergency must receive a continuous trickle charge from the tow vehicle's 12V charging circuit.

The two linked articles will guide your installation and testing of the breakaway setup. Do not rely just on wire colors for the install; follow the wiring guide in the article to ensure correct operation.

expert reply by: Adam R