Can the Breakaway System Be Wired To The Main Trailer Battery

Updated 11/11/2019 | Published 11/09/2019

Question:

I have a dump box trailer that has a group 24 battery to power the pump. I also have a breakaway system battery for the break system. I need to completely rewire the trailer because of wire damage, breakaway battery cracked etc. Can I power a breakaway system from the on board group 24 battery and eliminate the smaller brake battery? Is the group 24 battery charged from the + lead in the cord from the truck? If I need both batterys, can both be charged from the + lead from the truck? A wiring diagram would be extremely helpful.

asked by: Rick M

Helpful Expert Reply:

The breakaway switch by law must be powered from its own power source therefore no, you cannot use the trailer's auxiliary battery to power the breakaway. I recommend the Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit part # 20099 as this is our most popular option and it comes with everything that you need. In regards to charging the auxiliary battery and breakaway battery, you can indeed use the trailer battery charge line on the trailer connector.

I don't have any dump trailer wiring diagrams but have attached for you below a help article on general trailer wiring which should help.

expert reply by: Conner L