Does Ground Wire Need To Be Attached To Trailer For Hopkins Engager Trailer Breakaway Kit

Question:

Have new Engager breakaway box installed on landscape trailer. All lights brakes etc. work as they should. 12v to black wire in junction box. Grounds are fine. Engager is installed as per instructions. I get no yellow charging light when I connect power from the vehicle. Question: Does the breakaway switch have to be grounded through the chassis of the trailer to complete the charging circuit or is there another possible problem here? Thanks

asked by: Joe

Expert Reply:

I have attached a link to an installation video for the Engager Trailer BreakAway Kit with Charger and Tester, part # 20099. A weak or loose ground can give you all kinds of problems including the charger not working as you described.

In the video, the white wire is attached to the junction box with a ring terminal. A wire then runs form the junction box and is attached to the trailer frame. If you do not have a junction box you can put a ring terminal on the white wire and attach it to the trailer frame. You will want to make sure it is attached to clean bare metal. You may want to remove the paint to make sure you have a good ground.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L