Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-20-2010, 06:50 PM   #1
New Member
 
1974 31' Sovereign
Middletown , Rhode Island
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
How to disable brakes due to pin pull on breakaway switch

I inadvertently pulled the pin on the breakaway switch of my 1974 31 ft Sovereign travel trailer and of course, killed the battery and probably the controller. The brakes are stuck on and won't release. I cut all the wires at the wheels to release the brakes because I couldn't get them to release any other way. My question is: If I re-splice and reconnect the wires, will the brakes lock up again. And if so, how to I get them working again? Thanks.
Butcher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2010, 06:59 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
RickDavis's Avatar
 
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown , Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
The brakes should release as soon as you put the pin back. Odds are you won't damage the controller if it is well designed even tho they warn about that. If you disconect the plug from your TV that gets the controller out of the picture. If the brakes are still hung up try backing up a couple feet. ( If they hung mechanically)
If you reconnect things and the brakes come on there are only 2 possible problems. The contacts in the break away switch are stuck ( cut wire from switch) or the controller, which is out of the picture when you disconnect the umbilical cord. The only other thing that could put the brakes on is a short between the battery lead and the break lead inside the 7 pin connector. That is extremely unlikely.
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles

RickDavis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2010, 07:57 PM   #3
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Butcher View Post
I inadvertently pulled the pin on the breakaway switch of my 1974 31 ft Sovereign travel trailer and of course, killed the battery and probably the controller. The brakes are stuck on and won't release. I cut all the wires at the wheels to release the brakes because I couldn't get them to release any other way. My question is: If I re-splice and reconnect the wires, will the brakes lock up again. And if so, how to I get them working again? Thanks.
Be prepared to possibly find the magnets burned to a crisp, and a possibility of the axle spindles being heated to the degree of detempering. Additionally, the drums could now be out of round.

The brakes are an easy fix. You replace the backing plates.

Check the spindles for discoloration. If they did not change color, then you lucked out.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2010, 08:29 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
richinny's Avatar
 
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY , / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
Quote:
Originally Posted by Butcher View Post
I inadvertently pulled the pin on the breakaway switch of my 1974 31 ft Sovereign travel trailer and of course, killed the battery and probably the controller. The brakes are stuck on and won't release. I cut all the wires at the wheels to release the brakes because I couldn't get them to release any other way. My question is: If I re-splice and reconnect the wires, will the brakes lock up again. And if so, how to I get them working again? Thanks.
if the umbilical was disconnected and the brakes stayed applied, the battery wasn't dead.

if the breakaway switch is working properly, the reconnected brakes should be ok, provided that it wasn't long enough to ruin the brake magnets.

polarity does not matter with the wires at the wheels. i'd try testing with just one wheel rewired.

you can do some testing with just the trailer if the battery is ok now. put a jumper wire from the 12v hot to the brake wire at the umbilical end.
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
richinny is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
brakes, controller, stuck, brakeaway


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
breakaway switch toastie Lights - Interior & Exterior 4 04-11-2010 10:06 AM
breakaway pin work with no battery? HilaryStep Batteries, Univolts, Converters & Inverters 2 06-16-2007 08:57 AM
Breakaway switch. FreshAir Brakes & Brake Controllers 44 02-12-2007 11:18 AM
Breakaway Switch PunkZTT Brakes & Brake Controllers 24 05-02-2006 11:48 PM
Breakaway switch bhsl8 Brakes & Brake Controllers 26 10-06-2003 03:09 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.