Breakaway Brakes Question
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Breakaway Brakes Question
I am wanting to get the breakaways up and running on my stock trailer and I have a question. It came with the battery box and the breakaway switch and all the wiring. I have been looking at parts online, and all of the kits come with a charger. Do I need a charger, or can I just buy a battery and stick it in?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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You can buy a battery and stick it in but,
Unless yours is wired different or setup different then mine, you will want to take it out and charge it every once in a while.
I am not sure if mine charges the battery when hooked up or not, or if you are supposed to charge it cause the trailer isn't pulled much.
Unless yours is wired different or setup different then mine, you will want to take it out and charge it every once in a while.
I am not sure if mine charges the battery when hooked up or not, or if you are supposed to charge it cause the trailer isn't pulled much.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: BC Canada
I have a 4 place enclosed sled trailer, and a 20 foot car trailer, both are wired so the trailers battery charges when its hooked to the truck.
Check your wiring, and see if one of the 7 wires on your plug is for the charging.
If you leave the trailer parked for extended times, a battey tender on it would be a good idea.
Check your wiring, and see if one of the 7 wires on your plug is for the charging.
If you leave the trailer parked for extended times, a battey tender on it would be a good idea.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Go with an on-board charger, they're pretty cheap. Those batteries are sealed and hold their charge for a long time; check the voltage every 3 months and charge if necessary. Just plugging the trailer into the TV won't charge it; the key needs to be turned on.
Steve
Steve
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
I understand how a battery works. My question is do I need a charger, or can I just hook up a wire coming off the 12v pin on the truck to charge the battery.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: BC Canada
Both of my trailers get charged while I tow them.
If i leave them sit, they get a charger put on every few weeks for a bit.
A battery can lose up to 1% of its charge per day, just sitting.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: BC Canada
I am surprised the trailer was not wired like that from the factory.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
I haven't checked how it is wired, because there is not a battery in it. It sounds like I should be able to just buy a battery and that would be all I need, and then just make sure its wired up to the pin on the trailer end of the connector.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Sure, you can, but an on-board charger is better; it matches the charging requirements of the breakaway battery and also prevents reverse current flow in case the TV's battery or charge circuit fails.
Steve
Steve
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
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From: Simpsonville, KY
The battery will charge very quickly once its hooked up to the truck... by the time you've done your safety check and driven 5 miles down the road the battery will have enough juice in it (even if dead before you hitched) to stop the trailer, and you'll be fine.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
I went ahead and bought a whole kit that includes a charger, battery, box, and breakaway switch. I figure if nothing else I'll have spare parts, it was only about 8 bucks more to buy the kit over just a battery...
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