Posted 2019-08-17 3:16 PM (#172626) Subject: Trailer Electric Emergency Break Plunger Pulled out
Regular
Posts: 50 Location: SC
While in storage, and not hooked to power or truck, the cord on my electric 12v emergency break was pulled out. The plunger was pulled out with it.... I am assuming that the brakes can't fire off because they weren't under power at the time, and that I can just stick the plunger back in (see photo.... I have stuck the plunger in)? I wanted to double-check with the experts here before I made an idiot of myself calling around town to ask with my real name :) Seriously, all the trailer shop folks are closed, and mom is pretty upset thinking she "ruined" my trailer... she didn't and even if she did she is still the best mom ever to yours truly :)I don't want to hook up and then find out that my emergency brakes are on. :(
Posted 2019-08-17 3:46 PM (#172627 - in reply to #172626) Subject: RE: Trailer Electric Emergency Break Plunger Pulled out
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 333
Looks like you plugged it in fine. I’d check the battery that operates the emergency brakes, most likely that was drained..once you unplug from that box, the battery should engage the brakes (why it’s always good to check the battery each time you haul if you don’t use the trailer a lot).
Posted 2019-08-17 3:57 PM (#172628 - in reply to #172626) Subject: RE: Trailer Electric Emergency Break Plunger Pulled out
Regular
Posts: 50 Location: SC
Do you think it drained in the 10 seconds that the plug was out?Do you think the brakes engaged?Do they unengage now that the plug is back in?So confused (thank you in advance for the answers!)It got pulled out with the mower driving by and plugged right back in...
Posted 2019-08-17 4:20 PM (#172629 - in reply to #172626) Subject: RE: Trailer Electric Emergency Break Plunger Pulled out
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 333
Ten seconds probably did not drain the battery. I just accidentally pulled my pin when I unhooked my trailer. I just plugged the pin back in and all was fine. You can hear the brakes if they are engaged. My brakes disengaged when I put the pinback in. :-)
Posted 2019-08-17 4:41 PM (#172630 - in reply to #172626) Subject: RE: Trailer Electric Emergency Break Plunger Pulled out
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
There is nothing mysterious about the pin being pulled from the break-away switch. All it does is activate the brakes using the trailer house battery (or the small dry cell battery attached under your trailer hitch) instead of by the brake pedal.
You can pull it out any time to test the brakes, and by code, it should be pulled out during a trailer inspection (if your state requires one) to test the trailer brakes. Squeezing the trailer brake lever on the dash is not a valid emergency trailer brake test.
Simply putting the pin back in, disconnects the trailer battery and releases the brakes.
If your trailer uses the house battery for this emergency operation, it will recharge. If you have a small dry cell battery, it will be good for many activations.
No harm - no foul.
Tell mom she did you a favor and just tested your break-away switch.
Trailer Electric Emergency Break Plunger Pulled out
