Maintaining a Breakaway Trailer Battery in a Cold Colorado Winter for 6 Months

Question

Question:

I have the Hopkins Trailer Breakaway Kit - 20400 installed on my boat trailer. What would you recomend for winter maintenance for this battery? The trailer will be sitting idle for about 6 months with temps ping to below zero at times this is in Dillon, Colorado.

asked by: Ed R

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Expert Reply:

I recommend a battery charger like # CTEK56674 which has a cold weather mode (-4 degrees F) and you can leave it connected for extended periods of time without damaging the battery or charger. If it gets colder than minus 4 degrees then taking the battery inside to charge would be the best idea. I have included some helpful links on battery chargers for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

The lid of the Bright Way Trailer Breakaway ICU Kit with 12V, 5-Amp-Hour Battery, Charger, and Wire Loom #BW94FR that you referenced has a wiring diagram shown that details how it wires. Not seen is there is a single wire that runs up to running…

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Answer 2

In order to determine if a breakaway system is required on your trailer you will need to contact your local DMV. This will vary from state to state. However, it is a good ideal to add a breakaway system regardless of your state's regulations as…

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Answer 3

Hopkins Engager breakaway systems #20099 and #20400 function the same way and have the same features. The main difference is in how they mount. Engager #20099 is meant to be mounted on top of the frame with the LED indicator and test button facing…

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Answer 4

You do not have to install the trailer 12V power wire in your 2013 Sierra to get the brakes to work. Brake power and trailer auxiliary 12V power are carried on separate circuits. The only exceptions would be when using a controller like the Curt Echo…

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Answer 5

It would be a good idea to bring your breakaway battery inside and put it on a trickle charger if it's going to be parked for a while in the bitter cold. An inactive battery will slowly lose it's charge over time, especially in the cold. For…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

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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Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 9

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 10

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 11

Since wire color codes are NOT universal, we always recommend wiring by function, rather than wire color. If you look at the Trailer Wiring FAQ article I have linked you to, you can see some diagrams showing the proper way to wire a vehicle and…

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Answer 12

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Maintaining a Breakaway Trailer Battery in a Cold Colorado Winter for 6 Months

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