Will Trailer Breakaway Battery Having Low Charge Cause Brakes to Stop Working

Question

Question:

So I noticed my trailer brakes aren’t working, also noticed that battery does not hold its charge, question is if I replaced battery will it fix trailer brake not working? I disconnected pin with and with out trailer being connected to truck and trailer still moved, thank you

asked by: John

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Expert Reply:

Trailer batteries (breakaway or auxiliary) do not have to be charged for the brakes to work with a brake controller when connected to a tow vehicle. You have two isolated problems possibility. A breakaway battery that won't hold it's charge and something preventing the brakes from working. Or if the problem is that the brakes aren't working with the pin of the breakaway pulled while having a dead battery the problem is the battery.

For a new battery solution it's easiest to go with an all new setup since it's hard to know what battery size you'd need and the Curt kit part # C52041 costs about the same as a replacement battery anyway.

Now to fix your trailer brakes I'll need more info to give you a specific answer, but I did attach a help article on troubleshooting brake controllers for you to check out as well which would be a great start. If you can let me know more info I can help troubleshoot further as well. Does your brake controller show a connection to a trailer? Does it appear to be sending voltage to the assemblies/

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

I am not entirely sure I understand your question. In regards to a breakaway system, the switch needs to have a separate battery for power according to most state regulations. You will need to check with your state's DOT but it is safe to assume…

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Answer 2

Breakaway batteries shouldn't power other accessories even if the battery is larger. You really need the breakaway battery to be topped off at all times in case you need it. If you were to power other accessories you run risk of it being…

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Answer 3

Yes, the breakaway battery must have a charge in order to send power to the trailer brakes and lock them up in the event of the trailer detaching from the tow vehicle. If the charge wire which is usually the 12 volt pin on the 7-way becomes…

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Answer 4

You will likely have several different grounds on any given trailer. The breakaway battery can ground by itself to the frame and to the trailer connector's ground if you want. But at the very least ground the battery to the frame. The brake…

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Answer 5

The clamp of the Curt Breakaway kit part #C52026 that you referenced is 3 inches wide and 1-1/2 inches tall. It would work well on a 2 inch wide frame rail.

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Answer 6

Yes. The only thing the switch does in a breakaway system such as #20099 is complete the circuit from the breakaway battery to the brake magnets when the pin is pulled from the switch. By inserting the pin back into the switch it separates the metal…

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Answer 7

If you are installing a trailer breakaway kit like #C52041, then you can use the 12-volt auxiliary power wire to help provide a maintenance charge on your breakaway kit's battery. A breakaway kit that does not have an onboard charger will have to…

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Answer 8

In order to rewire your trailer, I strongly recommend you use the Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit part #HS381-9000 with the Bonded 4 Wire part #16-4B-1. This is going to ensure you have all the correct wire gauge and the junction box makes for a…

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Answer 9

You can reset the Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit #20099 simply by putting the pin all the way back into the switch. The only time the system would have to be replaced would be if something was wrong with it and even then the…

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Answer 10

The most popular trailer breakaway kit we offer is the Hopkins Engager part #20099. This comes with a charger and a battery, plus a display on the box to let you know exactly what condition the battery is in. I attached an install video for you to…

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Answer 11

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 12

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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