Troubleshooting Trailer Breakaway Kit on Trailer with 2016 Ram 2500

Question:

I recently towed a fifth wheel and had a warning come up just as I was refueling that said check trailer wiring connection no trailer breaksi still have power and lights to trailer . Stupid me forgot to replace breakaway pin and drove some 200 miles. I put pin back in and it wont come back out. Im sure I would have noticed if the breaks were locked up. Could the breakaway connector be making the code come up and what can I do to fix it?

asked by: Eric

Expert Reply:

Typically, a trailer breakaway kit will have enough power to engage the trailer's brakes for fifteen minutes once the pin is removed. So, if the pin was removed while your vehicle was idle, then it's possible that the battery had died before getting back on the road during your trip. This would explain not noticing the brakes locking up while driving, even though the pin was not present.

If you need a replacement battery, you can use the Hopkins Breakaway Kit Replacement 12V Battery # HM20008. This battery measures 3-1/2 inches long x 2-3/4 inches wide x 4 inches in height.

I am not sure what could be triggering the error message in your vehicle. I recommend checking the trailer brakes if you have not already to ensure that everything is working properly. If not, you will want to check the wiring along your trailer and tow vehicle to see if there are any damaged wires or bad connections that would lead to braking malfunctions and the error code you referenced.

Lastly, you mentioned not being able to remove the pin on your breakaway kit after putting it back in. This will occasionally happen after long periods of non-use, as the breakaway switch can corrode internally, preventing the pin from coming out. But since you had just recently removed and replaced the pin, corrosion does not seem a likely cause. It's possible that some internal components were damaged when the pin was pushed back in and it is keeping it from being removed again.

If you find that you need a completely new breakaway kit, I recommend the Tekonsha Breakaway Kit with Charger # 20020. This has a nice compact design had features a rechargeable 12 volt battery with a battery charger included.

expert reply by: Chris R