Why Would Breakaway Switch Wiring Get Hot if Switch Was Pulled

Question

Question:

My breakaway pin had gotten pulled out and when I went to it back it somehow melted the pin, just ordered a new complete set and is on its way. Is there a problem with my trailer?

asked by: Adrian M

0

Expert Reply:

Hey Adrian, I would check the wiring of the switch for exposed wire that might cause a short as it sounds like there's a short to ground that allowed the circuit to get too hot.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Jameson C.

1/27/2026

Hey Adrian, did checking the wiring on your breakaway switch show any signs of a short or damaged insulation? Knowing what you found could help others who run into the same overheating issue.

Answer 1

The 7-way you have installed on your truck would already have the turn signals and stop lights combined on the same circuit since that is standard for trailer wiring and there isn't a way to wire up a 7-way with the circuits separate. Now if…

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Answer 2

Since your trailer doesn't use standard colors for it's wiring for lighting and braking you are going to have to wire in the breakaway kit #C52042 by function instead of by color. I won't be able to tell you which color is which on your…

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Answer 3

Hey Michael, thanks for reaching out! The Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes #23-468-469 are an excellent choice, and will pair nicely with the Dexter Trailer Hub & Drum Assembly #84546UC3-EZ. This hub and drum comes pre-greased to…

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Answer 4

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 5

Hey Butch, thanks for the picture of your axle tag. The Hydrastar Disc Brake Kit w/ Actuator for Tandem Axle Trailers item #HSE7K-T1 is exactly what you need. These rotors will fit your 7,000 lbs Lippert axles perfectly. They have 1/2" lug studs…

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Answer 6

I would recommend Dexter Torflex axles the highest for torsion axles. And then put Al Ko and Lippert at about the same in quality. I was searching around online and the common consensus among the trailering forums is that the Dexter axles are…

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Answer 7

We do offer a replacement battery box with LED lid for the Hopkins Engager Breakaway box. The part number for the box and lid is #HM20121 and the part number for the battery itself is #HM20008.

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Answer 8

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…

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Answer 9

Hello Erik, it certainly is possible to convert your trailer from surge brakes over to electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) brakes. Basically, all you will need to add is an EOH disc brake actuator #HBA16 and a wiring kit #HS381-9000. The wiring kit…

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Why Would Breakaway Switch Wiring Get Hot if Switch Was Pulled

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