Can Trailer Breakaway Kit be Used without a Battery

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Question:

Can this break away switch just be wired directly to brakes

asked by: Mike

0

Expert Reply:

If you didn't have a battery used with your breakaway system there'd be nothing to power the brakes in the event of a disconnect so you couldn't use just a switch like the part # FA80-00-2040 by itself. You'd instead need to use a whole system like the # 20099 and you'd be set.

I attached a help article that covers more info on these for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

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Paul

4/24/2024

Jameson, So I have a battery that powers the trailer including electric brakes. Isn't there a switch that does need built-in charger or system battery box? thanks Paul

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Jameson C.

4/25/2024

@Paul Your trailer brakes shouldn't be powered by the battery box unless you are referring to the breakaway system which does power the brakes. A switch is what gets pulled that allows the breakaway battery to power the trailer brakes. I attached a couple help articles on breakaway kits that you might find helpful as well.

Helpful Links

faq-tb-11-06-test-trailer-breakaway-system.aspx

faq-trailer-breakaway-kit-installation.aspx

Reply

Answer 1

Your existing 3500-lb hubs could be used on a 5K axle if the spindles on both axles used the same inner and outer bearings. But usually these two different axle capacities mean different bearings with very different dimensions. That means 3500-lb…

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Answer 2

You likely can use any replacement switch since all they do is complete a circuit when the pin is pulled out. One wire on the switch should be connected to the positive battery terminal on the trailer. The other will tee into the wiring leading from…

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Answer 3

You would not be able to charge your battery through the wiring on your 4-way trailer connector. Since your truck has a 7-way connector, you could maintain the power to the battery but not charge it. To begin, you would need to cut off your 4-way…

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Answer 4

Hey Rob, the bolts that come with the equalizer kit part #AP233 that you referenced are Grade 5.

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Answer 5

You will need to measure the diameter of the spindles where the seal and bearings ride. Check out the picture I attached that shows where this is. You will need an exact measurement so either a digital or dial caliper will be needed. To pick out the…

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Answer 6

Most likely you have found the wrong connector for the install of your brake controller #5535 with the #3031-P that you referenced. I attached a picture that shows where you'll find it for you to check out that hopefully gets you to the right…

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Answer 7

The correct way to wire your breakaway battery, like the Hopkins Engager #20400, is to have the black wire from the battery connected to the 12V power on your trailer, and then the blue wire to your breakaway switch which, in turn, connects to the…

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Answer 8

There should be enough free play in the shackles to allow them to move. There is no specific torque rating for shackle bolts. The first thing you should make sure of is that the bolts you use are long enough so that when installed you will have at…

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Answer 9

On this page (typically below the product links) there is a helpful link section that will have the install instructions fo the Hopkins Breakaway kit part #20400 that you referenced. I also attached an install video that shows the kit installed as…

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Answer 10

90-120 ft lbs of torque is probably about right for your trailer rims. If you check out the lug nut torque chart that I attached you will see that nearly all of the torque specs are that and higher.

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Answer 11

To adjust the hitch latch on your trailer's coupler, you will want to adjust the nut at the bottom of the latch. This nut will be tightened or loosened depending on what you need for your coupler. I have attached a diagram showing you the…

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Answer 12

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Can Trailer Breakaway Kit be Used without a Battery

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