Breakaway switch questions

[Tim in New York]

Some how while moving my trailer with the tractor today, I pulled the pin out of the breakaway module. So first question- do I simply find the hole it came out of and plug it back in? And i must admit I have totally ignored that whole function, as I rarely tow more than 5K including the trailer. After doing a bit of research, I realize there must be a small battery in the box that must be shot and replaced. What are the odds that everything inside is corroded to heck and I have a real problem? I store my trailers off in the field and will have to go back later to open the box and see what is what.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[Jim.ME]

Some how while moving my trailer with the tractor today, I pulled the pin out of the breakaway module. So first question- do I simply find the hole it came out of and plug it back in? And i must admit I have totally ignored that whole function, as I rarely tow more than 5K including the trailer. After doing a bit of research, I realize there must be a small battery in the box that must be shot and replaced. What are the odds that everything inside is corroded to heck and I have a real problem? I store my trailers off in the field and will have to go back later to open the box and see what is what.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

You should be able to put the pin back in and go. If you get the pin fully in and the brakes are locked, which would require the breakaway battery to be hooked up and charged, you will need to replace it.

 

[KCTractors]

Some how while moving my trailer with the tractor today, I pulled the pin out of the breakaway module. So first question- do I simply find the hole it came out of and plug it back in? And i must admit I have totally ignored that whole function, as I rarely tow more than 5K including the trailer. After doing a bit of research, I realize there must be a small battery in the box that must be shot and replaced. What are the odds that everything inside is corroded to heck and I have a real problem? I store my trailers off in the field and will have to go back later to open the box and see what is what.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

The break-away battery must be dead other-wise the trailer brakes would have locked-up until you put the pin back in. Legally if the trailer has two axles then you need brakes with a good battery.
I have the emergency brakes hooked to the winch battery, then I don't need that small battery.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

If the battery wasn't dead before, it's dead now.

Yes, ideally, the brakes would lock up when the pin is pulled, but trailer brakes are often neglected and out of adjustment, have inadequate wiring from the factory, or just plain don't work that well. Moving around with the tractor you probably wouldn't notice.

 

[Butch(OH)]

The break-away battery must be dead other-wise the trailer brakes would have locked-up until you put the pin back in. Legally if the trailer has two axles then you need brakes with a good battery.
I have the emergency brakes hooked to the winch battery, then I don't need that small battery.

Trailer brake laws vary state to state. In Ohio they go by empty trailer weight. Anything over 2,000 lbs empty must have brakes, no mention of axle count.

 

[showcrop]

Some how while moving my trailer with the tractor today, I pulled the pin out of the breakaway module. So first question- do I simply find the hole it came out of and plug it back in? And i must admit I have totally ignored that whole function, as I rarely tow more than 5K including the trailer. After doing a bit of research, I realize there must be a small battery in the box that must be shot and replaced. What are the odds that everything inside is corroded to heck and I have a real problem? I store my trailers off in the field and will have to go back later to open the box and see what is what.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

Until you have checked it out and determined that it is working properly you have to assume that the battery is dead and wiring bad.

 

[Welding man]

Some how while moving my trailer with the tractor today, I pulled the pin out of the breakaway module. So first question- do I simply find the hole it came out of and plug it back in? And i must admit I have totally ignored that whole function, as I rarely tow more than 5K including the trailer. After doing a bit of research, I realize there must be a small battery in the box that must be shot and replaced. What are the odds that everything inside is corroded to heck and I have a real problem? I store my trailers off in the field and will have to go back later to open the box and see what is what.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

If everything is as it should be, these things do work. My pull cable was hanging down too low and I ran over a dead possum laying in the center of the road. It jerked the pin out, locked the brakes and flat spotted 4 brand new tires.

 

[Tim in New York]

Check here occasionally and just saw my old post about this. I forgot all about this issue. Guess I better look inside the box.