Breakaway switch |
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GLBCamper
Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 274 |
Topic: Breakaway switch Posted: 12 May 2016 at 7:58pm |
Does anyone regularly test the breakaway switch. Bargman has instructions on how do to it but I've never seen anyone say they've actually done it and nothing is mentioned the the forum "manual." So do you test yours? Annually? Or?
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 12 May 2016 at 8:09pm |
I have tested mine a few times, particularly after working on the trailer or when noticing strange brake behavior. I have read reports of defective switches so periodic testing is probably smart. The test is easy if you have a clamp on ammeter. The brakes should draw about 4 Amps per wheel or 8 amps per axle.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517 |
Posted: 12 May 2016 at 8:10pm |
Hmmm never have tested that.
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 12 May 2016 at 9:23pm |
I test mine every six months or 3,000 miles. Whichever comes first.
I test by using 4 frozen peas, 2 each on opposite fenders.... Oh, never mind. I decided to suspend my pea campaign. To be honest, I would concentrate much more on hitch hookup and safety pin , safety chains and walk around. If the trailer got away from you, it was probably because you ignored one of those. The frozen pea on the fender thing works, but it's complicated. Fred |
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2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 13 May 2016 at 9:03am |
A couple times over the last couple years.. OK, twice since new..
I have pulled the cable and then use a compass to see if they were energizing the magnets. They were. Good enough for me. |
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GLBCamper
Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 274 |
Posted: 13 May 2016 at 1:04pm |
Here are the instructions from the Bargman site:
"To test an electric breakaway system, you will have to have the trailer hitched to the tow vehicle. You will also want to check the state of charge in the breakaway battery, it should be fully charged. Step 1- Unplug the trailer connector from the tow vehicle. Step 2- Pull the pin straight out of the breakaway switch. This will require approximately 40 pounds of pull to remove the pin. Step 3- Attempt to pull the trailer with the tow vehicle. The trailer wheels will rotate a little, to apply the brakes. The brakes should then be set hard enough to not allow the trailer to roll freely. If the trailer rolls freely, service breakaway system or trailer brakes and retest. Step 4- Reinsert the pin into the breakaway switch and reconnect the trailer plug to the tow vehicle. NOTE: The lack of heavy brake application could be due to the brakes being out of adjustment, low breakaway battery voltage or a heavily loaded trailer."
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
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