Can I tow without a battery?- answered

Comments

• ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,640

  April 2019

  In short, yes. Trailer brakes and lights are powered by the tow vehicle through the 7-pin connector. 
  

  However, if you experience a total separation of the trailer from the tow vehicle a functioning connected T@B battery is required in order to activate the trailer's emergency breakaway brake system.

  2015 T@B Max S (320)
  2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4

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• lino Member Posts: 238

  April 2019

  Thanks ScottG, sounds like I should put it back in to be safe

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• ChrisK Member Posts: 280

  April 2019

  Only if you have a newer T@B with electric brakes. My 2014 has surge brakes. No electrical needed.

  2014 T@b S Max AKA T@dpole

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• Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,061

  April 2019

  Good point @ChrisK.  The TaB owner’s club here has generations and now different models to consider!  I always forget about those surge brakes.  @lino, what year TaB and brakes do you have?  Can you update your signature line?

  Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  

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• lino Member Posts: 238

  April 2019

  Mine is 2016 model
  Not sure what types of breaks I have

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• ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,640

  April 2019

  Definitely electric brakes on a 2016. Dutchman era T@Bs had surge brakes as did (I think) some of the earliest PV/nuCamp models while they were using up remaining inventory.
  
  

  2015 T@B Max S (320)
  2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4

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• Marceline Member Posts: 1,743

  April 2019

  ScottG said:

  Definitely electric brakes on a 2016. Dutchman era T@Bs had surge brakes as did (I think) some of the earliest PV/nuCamp models while they were using up remaining inventory.
  
  

  I don't think it was "remaining inventory." I have a 2013 with surge brakes and the frame looks very different from the Dutchman T@Bs.

  San Francisco Bay Area
  2013 CS-S us@gi
  2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab

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• ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,640

  April 2019

  Could be they just changed suppliers early on. I thought I'd heard the "remaining inventory" thing somewhere, but I tend to remember a lot of things that didn't actually happen...  :-)
  

  2015 T@B Max S (320)
  2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4

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• Photomom Member Posts: 2,217

  April 2019

  We store our T@B in a friend’s barn 20 miles out in the country in the winter. We figure the chances of the trailer coming off the hitch and breaking both safety chains on our way there or back are pretty slim. If we were towing in a populated area we’d probably make a different choice. 

  John and Henrietta, Late 2016 T@B S Max in Western New York
  

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• lino Member Posts: 238

  April 2019

  I’m going to put the battery in for sure
  Just going to need help lifting it in because I can’t until my hand heals

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