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trailer break away brakes

R

randy1

Member
Good morning I have a trailer that only gets used a couple times a year it is over 3000# so has break away brakes. and in PA the dot checks to make sure the battery is charged. So my question is dose anyone take their battery out and put on a maintainer to keep it from going dead when not in use for long periods?
 
no. But both trailers, a flat bed weight rated at 19,000 and a dump box rated at 16,000, have electric over hydraulic brakes. Those batteries are full size and are charged by the tow vehicle.
 
If they check the breakaway battery in your area, you probably should just take it out and make sure its charged before you use the trailer. No use asking for trouble.
 
Typically the breakaway battery is charged by the tow vehicle through the electrical connection. If your setup is like this just hook the truck to the trailer and let it do its thing. If this will not work then yes just hook a charger to it for a while.
 
If your trailer is only used a couple of times a year, the battery will fail prematurely. It needs to be charged up at least once a month, particularly in the winter when a discharged battery is likely to freeze.

This might be a good application for a solar charger. I see <a href="https://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-charger-62449.html">HF has one for 15 bucks</a> that should do the job.
 


Randy, thanks for the reminder. I always plan on backing up to each of my two trailers and plug them in for a day or two in the off season but haven't gotten to it yet this year. I think that we all know that they charge when plugged in, but as you asked originally obviously they won't charge when not plugged in.
 
Randy, indeed a battery maintainer is a MUST if the trailer sets for long periods. Its not necessary to remove it from the trailer if power is nearby, but if its handier to take out that's fine. I would look at a small solar powered trickle charger which could make things even easier.

John T
 
PS NOTE My procedure is ONLY for Class A Charging Systems. If your Ford is Class B much of it is INCORRECT.

John T
 
Yes put a trickle charger on.
For everyone saying the truck charges the battery. true,but unless the trailer is used regularly as in several times a week, the battery will discharge. I will guess that 75% of trailers sit for weeks months or even years at a time.
 
Va Dave is correct, but for electric brakes only you can use a large lantern battery in a small box made to attach on yoour trailer tounge . you have to is change battery when needed , attach cord. To tow vehicle and your set ogo. Hth
 
About any trailer or RV dealer has the small 12 volt batteries (Trailer Break Away) and the typical black plastic case they come in plus the wiring and break away switch. If the trailer separates from the truck it applies the electric brakes. Shop at RV or trailer dealers or E Trailer or Amazon or Camping World etc. etc.

John T
 
My trailer break away is wired to my winch battery on my trailer that is charged from the truck. I have heard that in some states the break away brakes need their own battery. Does anybody know if this is correct?
 
I just went out and looked at mine. Bought it new about five years ago, never knew the trailer had a battery Maybe I need to pay more attention. Thanks
Wayne
 
(quoted from post at 18:57:23 02/01/20) My trailer break away is wired to my winch battery on my trailer that is charged from the truck. I have heard that in some states the break away brakes need their own battery. Does anybody know if this is correct?
Click to expand...

I haven t checked the laws for every state, but most RV trailers use the house battery for the breakaway, so i would assume as long as you have power at all times it would be fine.

To those who say the battery charges off the truck, some do some don t. My gooseneck does not.

Also, one of my trucks will discharge trailer batteries if the cord is left hooked up while parked for a several days.
 
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