Tekonsha Trailer Breakaway Kit with Built-in Battery Charger - Side Load

See what our Experts say about this Tekonsha Trailer Breakaway Kit

• Troubleshooting Trailer Breakaway Wiring that Melts When Pin is Pulled
  Do the brakes seem to work fine when used normally? The Tekonsha breakaway kit # 20020 normally can be used on trailers with up to 4 brake axles. The problem has to do with the amount of amperage draw the brakes are trying to put on the system and not the battery though. I'd look for a short on the trailer's wiring or maybe you have a bad trailer magnet. I attached a help article on troubleshooting trailer brake magnets for you to check out as well.
  view full answer...
• Recommended Wire Gauge for Installing Breakaway Battery Kit
  We typically recommend going with 10 Gauge Wire # 10-1-1 and Butt Connectors # DW05745-5 for the battery 12V power just to allow as much power to "flow" through it as possible. That's what I recommend using for the installation of your Tekonsha Breakaway Battery Kit # 20020. You won't need to place a fuse or a circuit breaker on your trailer side of things.
  view full answer...
• Difference Between Pro Series Breakaway Systems # 50-85-315 and # 50-85-320
  The Pro Series Breakaway System, # 50-85-320, is basically just an updated version of the part # 50-85-315. The only difference between these two systems is that the newer model comes with a battery box with additional mounting tabs. Part # 50-85-315 only had mounting tabs on the back of the box and part # 50-85-320 has mounting tables on the back, bottom and top. Eventually, part # 50-85-320 will completely replace part # 50-85-315.
  view full answer...
• Comparing Tekonsha Trailer Breakaway Systems
  Tekonsha breakaway kit # 50-85-313 is an all-in-one type of set up in which the charger is integrated into the lid of the battery box. Kits # 2028 and # 20020 both have a separate external charger that is, to put it bluntly, better than the one integrated into the lid of the other kit. They are all good options though and I am certain you would be happy with any of the 3. I have included links to videos for all 3 kits for you.
  view full answer...
• Does Breakaway Kit Cause Backfeeding on Brake Controller Wiring
  Since breakaway kits attach to only the 12 volt accessory circuit of the trailer wiring under normal circumstances and not the brake controller output circuit like what the brake controller is connected to there would be no backfeeding issue. In the event of the breakaway kit getting activated and it putting 12 volts on the brake output circuit the trailer wiring would be at that point disconnected from the vehicle so again there wouldn't be any backfeeding. Also 12 volts on the output...
  view full answer...
• Solution for Breakaway Pin on Trailer that Wont Come Out
  If you have a breakaway switch where you can't pull the pin out it's probably a good time to replace the switch. It sounds like the cable might have broken before the pin would come out which is not a good sign. For a new switch you can use the part # 3802348 which due to the universal design of these switches will work with what you have regardless of if it's a Tekonsha setup.
  view full answer...
• Could Road Debris Pull the Pin on Trailer Breakaway System
  Once the pin on the break away switch is pulled, the brakes on the trailer will engage. I have not heard of this occurring, but it is possible. I would recommend routing the cable that pulls the pin as close as possible to the trailer frame. You can use a few strips of electrical tape to hold the cable in place so that it is not hanging down and easily snagged. If the trailer should come loose and the safety chains should fail, the tape would not prevent the cable from pulling the pin...
  view full answer...
• How to Disconnect Breakaway Cable from Tow Vehicle
  It's going to depend on how the break away cable is connected to the vehicle. If the cable is looped through a safety chain loop on the hitch, you can unplug the cable from the breakaway switch, detach it from the safety chain loop and plug the breakaway pin back in. If a split ring or quick link like part # 750-3204 is used, disconnect the cable from the split ring or quick link. Pulling the breakaway pin to get the cable off won't hurt anything, just plug it right back in so the battery...
  view full answer...
• Replacement Trailer Breakaway Kit Recommendation for Trailer with Trailermate Kit
  For a replacement breakaway kit the Tekonsha kit part # 20020 would be a great option to replace everything. You didn't mention which parts you'd need to replace though. Commonly people want to replace just the switch which for that you would want the part # 3802348. Due to the universal nature of how these install it would easily replace the switch you have if that's what you were in need of.
  view full answer...
• Troubleshooting Trailer Breakaway Kit on Trailer with 2016 Ram 2500
  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 #...
  view full answer...
• Can Trailer Connector On Truck Charge Trailer Breakaway Battery Once It Is Dead
  The current from the truck will not charge the battery in the Tekonsha Breakaway Kit, part # 20020 if the battery is completely dead. My contact at Tekonsha told me that it will charge the battery at a very low rate if the charger senses any charge on the battery. The charger in the 20020 will maintain a charge for the breakaway battery once it reaches its full charge. My recommendation is to use a battery charger like part # CTEK56865 to charge the battery when it is not being used. This...
  view full answer...
• Installation Instructions for the Tekonsha Breakaway Kit with Charger # 20020
  Check out the link I attached that has the installation instructions for the Tekonsha Breakaway Kit with Charger # 20020 that you referenced. Scroll down to the section on wiring a Tekonsha breakaway kit to see what it would take to install this kit on your trailer.
  view full answer...
• Troubleshooting Camper Breakaway Switch with Pin That Will Not Come Out
  I am glad you were able to safety return home after your camper's brakes locked up. It sounds like your breakaway switch could be corroded internally. That would explain why the pin would not come out. It is possible that same corrosion caused a short inside the switch that in turn caused the breakaway battery to apply the trailer brakes. We can help you with a complete new breakaway kit like # 50-85-315 or the Tekonsha unit you referenced, part # 20020. We also offer breakaway switches...
  view full answer...
• Replacing Break-Away System Cable and Pin on Travel Trailer
  The configuration of the breakaway pin can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and between models of breakaway switches. When you pull the old pin to replace it with the new one, the brakes will indeed apply, but they should let loose when you insert the pin back into the switch. Since the cable is the only worn part, you might be best off by just replacing the cable portion itself with a coiled cable like # RM-8603 offered from Roadmaster.
  view full answer...
• Parts Needed to Add Electric Brakes to a Wells Cargo SW-10 Single-Axle Service Wagon Trailer
  A good starting point for your project to add electric drum brakes to your trailer is a review of the linked article which covers this process in detail. You will need to select brakes based on the weight rating of the axle on your trailer, which should be indicated on a sticker or plate, and you'll need to select new hub/drum assemblies that use the same bearings as the hubs currently on your trailer. This will ensure compatibility of the new hub/drum assemblies with your spindles. If...
  view full answer...
  
• Can Battery Used for Breakaway System Also Power Interior Lights
  If you had a larger battery than what comes with a breakaway kit like the # 20020 it could be used to power interior lights as well as perform the breakaway function, but legally this would be something you'd have to check with your local DOT on. We have slightly larger batteries like the 20.5 amp hour # BRW97FR.
  view full answer...
• Is it Okay to Insert the Breakaway Pin After it Accidentally Became Unplugged
  You will have no problem at all. The pin on the breakaway switch simply closes or opens the circuit from the breakaway battery to the trailer brakes. In fact, many people like to test their trailer brakes by pulling the breakaway pin. As long as it is fully inserted, you are good to go. If you broke the pin, cable or box, I attached a link to all of our replacement pins and cables and a link to our replacement switches for you to check out. Be sure to choose a pin with the same design...
  view full answer...
• Trailer Breakaway System Recommendation for a Triple Axle Gooseneck Trailer
  The breakaway kit I recommend for your trailer with 3 axles is the Tekonsha Breakaway Kit with Charger, part # 20020. This has a heavy-duty two stage charger included and sealed rechargeable 12V battery. This kit is designed to work with trailers that have up to 4 axles.
  view full answer...
• Converting Military Boat Trailer From Vacuum Brakes To Electric Over Hydraulic
  It is possible to switch the brake setup to electric over hydraulic. I recommend electric over hydraulic instead of electric because most of the work is already done for you. Converting to electric would require switching your brake assemblies out to electric brakes. To convert to electric over hydraulic all you need to do is switch out your actuator to an electric over hydraulic actuator, get a brake controller and a breakaway kit and you are set. I recommend HydraStar Electric Over...
  view full answer...
  
• Do Tekonsha Breakaway Kit with Charger, # 20020 and # 2028 Come with the Same Charger
  Both the Tekonsha Breakaway Kit with Charger, # 20020, and the Tekonsha Breakaway Kit with Charger, Clamp On, # 2028, come with the same charger. The only difference is how each system mounts to the trailer. Break away batteries require a special charger because they are smaller than a regular 12 volt battery. Trying to charge it just through the 12 volt circuit from a trailer connector can overcharge the battery. The charger prevents that from happening after the battery has been charged...
  view full answer...
• Does Tekonsha Breakaway Kit 20020 Require Additional Circuit Breaker
  Your trailer brakes won't necessarily draw 30 amps when activated so the Tekonsha Breakaway Kit part # 20020 will still work fine even though it uses a lighter gauge wire. 20 amps is the size breaker that is recommended for the circuit to protect it since it's a tandem axle but that does not imply that it draws 20 amps all the time. We have found that this kit works well from what our customers have came back and replied with. No additional breakers will be needed.
  view full answer...
• Breakaway Kit Recommendation For Triple Axle Trailer With Brakes
  The breakaway kit I recommend for your trailer with 3 axles is the Tekonsha Breakaway Kit with Charger, part # 20020. This has a heavy-duty two stage charger included and sealed rechargeable 12V battery. This kit is designed to work with trailers that have up to 4 axles.
  view full answer...

Do you have a question about this Trailer Breakaway Kit?