Posted 2012-06-30 12:03 PM (#145235) Subject: some thing to think about
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
pay a lot of attention to the batteries on our trailers thatstart the generator, provide the interior lights, and many otherfunctions but there's another battery on our trailers that almosteveryone pretty much ignores.Here's a reason to think about it.http://tinyurl.com/84njl2bThe breakaway battery is usually out of sight somewhere and we assume itgets charged somehow when the trailer is hitched to our trucks orconnected to power.And while that may be true - trailers may not get used often, thebattery runs down, and/or time takes its toll. Nothing lasts forever.After reading the USRider article in their newsletter athttp://www.usrider.org/news_01_12_12.htmlI decided to look at mine after 6 years of not even knowing where itwas. It was completely dead of course and would not charge. I don'tknow how long it had been that way.I found an inexpensive exact replacement on ebay for about $14 includingshipping. It's an easy replacement.It's easy to check the battery voltage to determine if it's charged andthat's on my checklist now for going to rides. Anything below 11.9volts is considered discharged.You may think this isn't very likely to happen to you and that's true.But I know of two situations involving AERC members who have lost theirtrailers and horses to hitch problems in the past few years. I don'tknow whether it was specifically a breakaway battery problem orsomething else related to the hitch but it was fatal for the horses. Itcould have been fatal for other motorists.I found another post that discusses testing breakaway operation on yourown once you know the battery is charged."There are other threads that deal with checking the breakaway mechanismand battery state of charge. Basically if you have your trailer hookedup to the tow vehicle you can test it on a gentle slope by parking,disconnecting the trailer plug and pulling the breakaway pin, then getin the tow vehicle and see if it will roll in neutral with the parkingbrake released. If not put it back in park and/or apply the parkingbrake, replace the breakaway pin, reconnect the trailer wiring andverify that the rig will roll when the brakes are released. This isn'tvery quantified, but it should give you some idea of whether everythingis THERE."I'd rather lose my trailer than my horses but this is a case where ifsomething goes wrong - you can lose both of them.
Posted 2012-07-02 9:22 AM (#145280 - in reply to #145235) Subject: RE: some thing to think about
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
For many trailers, the breakaway is located inside the tack room or Dressing room. It some times goes unnoticed, and is something some folks do not even know about. I checked six bumper pull, day ride trailers on a ride last weekend, and found 4 that even though the "light" showed green for good, when you pulled the pin, they failed to hold the brakes. Sooo.. it is some thing to TEST, and not rely on the "light".
Posted 2012-07-02 9:44 AM (#145283 - in reply to #145235) Subject: RE: some thing to think about
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
The break away system on my horse trailer is good, but I'd like to replace the battery on my utility trailer. Information on where you purchased your $11 batter would be great. Is there a specific ebay seller who sells them this cheaply?
Posted 2012-07-03 9:52 AM (#145323 - in reply to #145235) Subject: RE: some thing to think about
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
Horse trailer accessories has one as well for about $17, this eliminates dealing with ebay, and could be a newer and more likely better charged battery;http://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/breakaway_battery.htm
Posted 2013-06-22 10:56 AM (#152888 - in reply to #145235) Subject: RE: some thing to think about
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Pataskala, Ohio
Sorry to bring up such a old tread but.....I just went out to my trailer and the breakaway was pulled out of the box and it has been that way for days. Will the breakaway battery charge from the house batteries or from the truck whe4n plugged into the trailer or do I have to get a new battery?ThanksThe Puller of Jeeps and Horses
Posted 2013-06-22 12:48 PM (#152889 - in reply to #152888) Subject: RE: some thing to think about
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Jeepplr on 2013-06-22 10:56 AM
Sorry to bring up such a old tread but.....I just went out to my trailer and the breakaway was pulled out of the box and it has been that way for days. Will the breakaway battery charge from the house batteries or from the truck whe4n plugged into the trailer or do I have to get a new battery?ThanksThe Puller of Jeeps and Horses
You can put a battery charger on it, but if it was drained fully, it is safer to just replace it...
some thing to think about
my gooseneck it is right were I can see it and the light tells me if it is good