Correct Battery Power Source for Trailer Emergency Breakaway System

Question:

Is it legal to wire the breakaway system to the caravan house batteries or must they have their own seperate battery

asked by: Bruce B

Expert Reply:

Towing laws vary by state and province and they can change at any time, so it is best to check with the highway authorities in the specific area you intend to travel. But even if it is not illegal to use the primary trailer battery to power the breakaway this is not a good idea for safety reasons.

Such a remote power connection means longer wiring and that means more potential for something to get pinched, damaged or shorted. The benefits of a separate dedicated trailer breakaway battery include having the emergency braking power source (the breakaway battery, such as the one in kit # 20099) located close to the breakaway switch.

If an appliance in the caravan were to be accidentally left on this could deplete the inside battery and you might not know it until you were in an emergency stop situation.

expert reply by: Adam R