Can Trailer Breakaway Kit be Used without a Battery

Question

Question:

Can this break away switch just be wired directly to brakes

asked by: Mike

0

Expert Reply:

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 whole system like the # 20099 and you'd be set.

I attached a help article that covers more info on these for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

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Paul

4/24/2024

Jameson, So I have a battery that powers the trailer including electric brakes. Isn't there a switch that does need built-in charger or system battery box? thanks Paul

Reply

Jameson C.

4/25/2024

@Paul Your trailer brakes shouldn't be powered by the battery box unless you are referring to the breakaway system which does power the brakes. A switch is what gets pulled that allows the breakaway battery to power the trailer brakes. I attached a couple help articles on breakaway kits that you might find helpful as well.

Helpful Links

faq-tb-11-06-test-trailer-breakaway-system.aspx

faq-trailer-breakaway-kit-installation.aspx

Reply

Answer 1

On this page (typically below the product links) there is a helpful link section that will have the install instructions fo the Hopkins Breakaway kit part #20400 that you referenced. I also attached an install video that shows the kit installed as…

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Answer 2

In regards to the Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit part #20400, there are only two wires with the black being power so it should be run to the positive battery terminal and the blue being brake output so it should be run to the…

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Answer 3

For your Hopkins LED Breakaway Switch part #HM20059 the led indicator should only be lit when the breakaway pin is pulled, and should be solid. When the pin is inserted and the trailer hooked up it should not be on at all. If you do not have the…

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Answer 4

The Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector - Trailer End #PK12706 will match the colors and locations of the attached photo. I've also attached a wiring article to assist further if the colors don't match functions correctly…

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Answer 5

The breakaway system actually must be attached to its own separate battery by law in most states. Therefore, I cannot recommend that you use a seperate, auxiliary battery on the trailer or the vehicle for that matter for the breakaway switch. The…

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Answer 6

There are two color code standards that are used in the trailer world. The Hopkins 7-Way RV style connector and cable, #H20046, that you referenced uses the RV Industry standard color code which is as follows: White Wire - Ground Red Wire - Left…

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Answer 7

Since wire color codes are NOT universal, we always recommend wiring by function, rather than wire color. If you look at the Trailer Wiring FAQ article I have linked you to, you can see some diagrams showing the proper way to wire a vehicle and…

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Answer 8

If you already have a breakaway switch and trying to find its power source, It is possible that someone could have wired the breakaway switch directly to the main battery on the trailer but it does not come like that from the factory. The breakaway…

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Answer 9

You can certainly add a 7-way trailer connector to your trailer with 6 wires. You would simply have 1 pin on the 7-way connector that did not function. I recommend adding a 7-way molded trailer wire connector like part #H20046, and a junction box…

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Answer 10

You can absolutely wire up a 3-wire breakaway switch like the Hopkins LED Breakaway Switch with 7" Lead Wires #HM20059 to replace your 2-wire switch; the difference is that the 3-wire switch has a dedicated ground wire while the 2-wire switch…

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Answer 11

You likely can use any replacement switch since all they do is complete a circuit when the pin is pulled out. One wire on the switch should be connected to the positive battery terminal on the trailer. The other will tee into the wiring leading from…

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Answer 12

The Bolt Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock, #BL7023584, will work on Toyota vehicle's that use standard cut keys. The attached photo will show you the type of keys that are compatible for the Bolt lock. If you have a center cut key for your 2017 Toyota…

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Can Trailer Breakaway Kit be Used without a Battery

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