Installation of Breakaway Kit Switch for Electric Trailer Brakes on Gooseneck Trailer

Published 03/14/2019

Question:

I bought this breakaway switch and am getting ready to mount it on my flatbed gooseneck trailer. As you know a gooseneck hitch is elevated alot more than a bumper pull hitch. So Im wondering about the angle of the actual pin switch box. When the trailer is connected properly the switch is above the saftey chain loops in the truck bed as opposed to straight inline on a bumper pull. So if the goosneck were to come unhooked and the breakaway switch was needed, the angle would really be off. So should I try and mount the pin box as close to inline with the direction it would be pulled in the case of a trailer disconnect, or is the trailer disconnecting so violent it will pull the plastic pin no matter the angle its mounted? No matter how I mount it, the angle wont be close to inline due to the elevation/nature of a gooseneck hitch. I wonder if trailer does disconnect and the pin angle is off, will the pin just break off instead of pulling out and activating the trailer brakes. I hope this isnt too confusing because it was confusing to explain

asked by: Rob

Expert Reply:

Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit with Built-In Battery Charger - Top Load # 20400 can have the pin mounted on the coupler. The angle should be as aligned as possible with the point you are connecting to and be slightly shorter distance than your safety chains. The pin will pull with force so the pin is designed to withstand that without breaking as is the cable. The length and angle are important because you want the trailer brakes to activate when the trailer becomes disconnected from the hitch ball. If the safety chains were longer than that pin then your trailer could be moving around substantially without any braking power which would not be good.

I've attached a photo to assist as well as an article.

expert reply by: Jason S