Brake away switch

[AL’ UM- MONEY]

I am going to pull my refereb for the time. It will be 30 years since it's been on the road. Just wondering if anybody has ever had to use the brake away switch. Just wonder what happened.

[NevadaGeo]

I pull mine every time I'm hitching and unhitching to string the break away cable on the bumper, but be sure the umbilical is unhooked before you pull it. It tests the system, if it don't go whirr I know something isn't working right.

[Splitrock]

Originally Posted by GAT

I am going to pull my refereb for the time. It will be 30 years since it's been on the road. Just wondering if anybody has ever had to use the brake away switch. Just wonder what happened.

I just pulled mine to test the system.

[Jammer]

Occasionally they do end up "being used" though I never have.

Many things can lead to it:
1) wrong hitch ball size
2) coupler unlatched
3) coupler out of adjustment
4) someone forgot to put in the pin that attaches the ball carrier to the receiver.
5) someone forgot to put the hairpin keeper in on said pin.
6) weld failures

In most cases where you "need to use" the breakaway your trailer is going to be toast anyway.

The breakaway reduces the chances that it will hit and injure or kill another driver.

[Tom Nugler]

If its a 30 year old switch I'd pull it just to make sure it works. The last two can type switches I've dealt with had pins corroded into the housing. Yanking the cable just bent the switch over onto the tongue.
They are cheap and easy to replace.
BTW I check the pin before the first run of the season but generally leave it alone.

Tom

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by GAT

I am going to pull my refereb for the time. It will be 30 years since it's been on the road. Just wondering if anybody has ever had to use the brake away switch. Just wonder what happened.

If your Airstream has been parked for 30 years, without most of the weight remove from the axles, then you would be wise to check them out.

Typically, after ball park 3 years or so, the rubber rods go south. When that happens, the trailer bottoms out when it hit bumps, which in turn cause many expensive to repair damages.

The following will help you check them out yourself.

The Dura-Torque Axle

Andy

[Harry W]

I pulled the pin on mine and,even though it came out nicely, the switch did not make contact. Two things have to be checked - Does the pin pull out and does the switch send current to the brakes.