Check Your Breakaway Brake Switches

ScottG

As part of your pre-season maintenance routine, I suggest checking the operation of your breakaway brake switch. This is easy to do, but also easy to overlook.

With the battery connected, pull the pin from the switch box. There should be a notable voltage drop, and the wheels should lock up.

When I tested mine this year, I got nada. Sometimes I could get it to engage by banging on the switch housing with a wrench. I'm guessing the internal contacts are corroded.

Replacement switches are easy to come by for as low as $10. The biggest challenge to installation would be splicing in the new switch wires.

rydfree

Mine did a self test last year as I was pulling my old RV through a tight parking lot. When I turned very sharp to get into a parking space the cable caught on the tongue latch and stopped my TV dead cold. I was like WTF, did I hit something, lol.

The coiled wire leads are much better IMO and do not hang down and less likely to catch on something.

Amazon.com: MECMO Trailer Breakaway Switch 5ft Brake Away Coiled Cable Large Carabiner, RV Camper Trailer Emergency Electric Break Switch with 5 Feet Stainless Steel Spring Towing Wire Safety Lanyard w/Pull Pin : Automotive

BillCB

Yeah - I did an involuntary test too, by having wound up too much of the slack in the cable. Stupid but a lesson learned.