Breakaway-How to?

[rogerdodger]

I found the wires to the breakaway switch coiled under the tongue, and not connected to anything. How do I connect to +12 volts? At the voltage to the tongue jack? Do I splice into the brake wire? Maybe the wires are long enough to go up into the front interior to the fuse block?
Thanks in advance.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by rogerdodger

I found the wires to the breakaway switch coiled under the tongue, and not connected to anything. How do I connect to +12 volts? At the voltage to the tongue jack? Do I splice into the brake wire?

Yes, and yes.

[rogerdodger]

Ok. Thanks Terry. Now I have my thinking cap on. The PO probably dis-connected it because of failure. I am going to look closely at the switch before I re-attach. Maybe I am better off to replace it, unless I can determine it is new, and never hooked up by PO. (I have only owned this AS a short time, and still going over stuff, before taking it on the road). Thanks again.

[HowieE]

As long as the fuse for the jack is at least 20 amps you can splice one side of the brake away switch to that. The other side goes to the trailer brake wire.

Are you saying the switch was never connected or was connected and broke off. If the latter you should find 2 more wires under the tongue one of which will have 12 volts on it.

[Silverhobby]

The break away switch can be a problem to trailer brakes when it is NOT functioning properly. Make sure it is a good switch before spending a lot of time on reconnecting it.

[rogerdodger]

I thank you all for the help. Further investigation, I found the trailer wiring has been modified for the new style connecter. Results are:
1. No breakaway switch connected, but tests good w/ohmmeter.
2. Wire from +12 volts in trailer not connected to tow vehicle.
3. backup wire connected to +12 volts from tow vehicle, backup bulbs removed.
4. yellow brake wire connected to backup light at tv connector, then yellow wire dis-connected from brakes. New blue brake wire run under trailer from connector.
I will fix this mess before the AS is on the road.

Thanks again for the help.

[HowieE]

Did you just buy this trailer and did someone have it on the road before that?

[rogerdodger]

Yes, this trailer was used by someone from another state, Utah or Idaho, I think. They traded it for a newer airstream in Quartzsite. I bought it from the dealer here in central california. In addition to the things I just listed, I found three of the four brakes inoperable due to broken ground wires, two of the brakes shoes badly burned and cracked. Needless to say, the 60 miles I towed it to my home were probably the worst from a safety point I hope to make with this trailer.
Thanks to all for the responses.

[Dan@LED4RV]

Originally Posted by rogerdodger

fuse block

No, the brake-a-way switch is not fused at all. It is a emergancy system to stop the trailer if it gets away from the tow unit. If it is fused, and the fuse blows, then no power will be going to the brakes.

For those who may not be sure what a break-a-way looks like
Click here to see what a Brake-a-way switch looks like.


Dan