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04-30-2015, 12:36 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
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Will my tail and brake lights work without a battery hooked up?
Hey all,
I haven't posted in a long time but I have a question that I'm hoping to get a quick answer on. I am picking up out Jayco 28 BHS trailer which has been stored for the winter. I grabbed the hitch, I grabbed the keys but forgot the battery. Will my tail and brake lights work even though the battery isn't there? I'm trying to avoid having to go get it as I'm towing the trailer home and can install it once I'm home.
Christine
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04-30-2015, 12:40 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: State of Confusion
Posts: 5,014
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They will work. Your break away switch will not if your trailer should unhitch.
Murff
__________________
Murff
2015 White Hawk 20MRB (It's last year)
2017 F150 2.7 Eco Boost 3.73 Gears
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04-30-2015, 12:43 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
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YAY!!!
Thank you so much. What is a break away switch?
Christine
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04-30-2015, 12:51 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 2,210
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Quote:
Originally Posted by devonquest
YAY!!!
Thank you so much. What is a break away switch?
Christine
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It's the box the braided ss cable is connected to that if you should become unhitched will engage the electric brakes fully to stop the trailer. Your trailers battery supplies the power to the brakes should the pin get pulled.
__________________
2014 375 BHFS Eagle Premier
2014 Ram 3500 Longhorn DRW CC
6.7 CTD, Aisin, 4.10's
Yamaha EF3000iSEB
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04-30-2015, 04:29 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: King George
Posts: 2,761
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All trailer safety lights are powered by the tow vehicle through the trailer cable when connected...
It is a DOT LAW that all trailers equipped with electric brakes must have an installed battery source for the electric brakes to use in case the trailer becomes disconnected from the truck when going down public highways.
This could affect your Insurance claim if your run-way trailer has caused destruction or worse if it has been determined that you did not have a working electric brake setup to immediately stop the trailer when disconnected.
Sort of behooves you to have a working system as required by the STATE DOT...
__________________
Roy and Carolyn
I claim Horse Creek Country in Southern Ill - Momabear is from North Texas
We live in King George VA
RETIRED DOD DOAF DON CONTRACTOR Electronics Tech 42YRS
"We're burning daylight" - John Wayne
2008 STARCRAFT 14RT OFF-ROAD POPUP with PD9260C and three 85AH 12VDC batteries
2010 F150 FX4 5.4 GAS with 3.73 gears - Super Cab - Towing Package - 2KW Honda EU2000i Gen
K9PHT (since 1957) 146.52Mhz
"We always have a PLAN B"
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04-30-2015, 06:39 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Trussville, Al
Posts: 2,093
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Roy hit the nail on the head with good advice
__________________
Ron, Barbara & rescues Beamer (Lab mix), Buddy (Cavalier spaniel), Ruger (Golden retriever), Stanley (Bassett/Springer mix) and 3 grandsons
2012 Jayco Feather 29L BH
2015 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax and Equalizer WDH
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04-30-2015, 06:47 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: State of Confusion
Posts: 5,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by devonquest
YAY!!!
Thank you so much. What is a break away switch?
Christine
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(*sigh*)
Murff
__________________
Murff
2015 White Hawk 20MRB (It's last year)
2017 F150 2.7 Eco Boost 3.73 Gears
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05-01-2015, 08:29 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: King George
Posts: 2,761
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This is a typical BREAK-AWAY Switch Assy. This assy is installed on the trailer frame and the long plunger cable is attached to the truck bumper hitch assy. Check ETRAILER for additional info...
When installed the plunger KEY will be pulled out of the switch assy if the trailer becomes disconnected which will apply full BRAKE DC VOLTAGE to the trailer electric brakes and hopefully will stop your run-away trailer.
Each Electric Brake magnet will draw 3AMPS DC CURRENT with 12VDC Applied so this will run down down your trailer battery rather quick when the plunger key is pulled...
Roy Ken
__________________
Roy and Carolyn
I claim Horse Creek Country in Southern Ill - Momabear is from North Texas
We live in King George VA
RETIRED DOD DOAF DON CONTRACTOR Electronics Tech 42YRS
"We're burning daylight" - John Wayne
2008 STARCRAFT 14RT OFF-ROAD POPUP with PD9260C and three 85AH 12VDC batteries
2010 F150 FX4 5.4 GAS with 3.73 gears - Super Cab - Towing Package - 2KW Honda EU2000i Gen
K9PHT (since 1957) 146.52Mhz
"We always have a PLAN B"
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05-01-2015, 11:03 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pahrump
Posts: 4,038
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Hey, people, lighten up. Making fun of posters' questions isn't cool.
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05-01-2015, 02:52 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 269
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If you don't want to get a full size battery you can get just a break-away battery for under $50, this what I use on my car hauler. As stated it's the law and a really good idea to boot. Years ago I had a trailer break loose on the highway, luckily the chains held and damage was limited to the TV. If it had brakes with a battery there would have been no damage.
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05-01-2015, 04:47 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Bowling Green
Posts: 24
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I think I have a break away cable, but I am unsure if I have the switch that goes with it. I only tow the camper to the lake in the spring and home in the fall. This is my first camper (26BH) and I am still learning!
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05-01-2015, 05:44 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 269
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Does not matter how far you tow it. If you mess up the hook up or a part of the hitch system breaks and the trailer takes off. You'll be found to be breaking the law and your insurance company can refuse to pay for the damage to your trailer and any damage it causes. I strongly suggest spending the $50 for break away only battery or just getting a real battery for your trailer.
If only need it twice a year, maybe borrow a car battery from another vehicle for the tow.
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05-01-2015, 11:36 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Bowling Green
Posts: 24
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It's not the battery I am missing. I have a battery, and I think the cable is there, but I am not sure if the switch that goes onto the bumper is there. I will check whe I go to the lake this weekend.
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05-02-2015, 04:38 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,526
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kykids
I think I have a break away cable, but I am unsure if I have the switch that goes with it. I only tow the camper to the lake in the spring and home in the fall. This is my first camper (26BH) and I am still learning!
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Try tracing the cable back. You'll likely find the switch housing attached to the A frame on the trailer.
__________________
Mike, Sue, Sissy and Little Man
2015 Ford F350 Lariat FX4 6.7 CC DRW
2015 Eagle Premier 351RSTS
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05-02-2015, 06:28 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Vienna
Posts: 2,044
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__________________
Joe Hinson
2010 Jayco Quest G2(SOLD)
2014 Jayco Eagle 33.5RETS
2007 Ram 2500 5.9L Cummins(SOLD)
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 4WD
:)
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05-02-2015, 06:41 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Central Louisiana
Posts: 120
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Quote:
Originally Posted by namusmc65
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X2 
__________________
Mike Laupp
'13 Jayco Premier 351RLTS
'17 F350 King Ranch Ultimate FX4 6.7L TD SRW LB BackFlip F1
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05-02-2015, 07:20 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kykids
It's not the battery I am missing. I have a battery, and I think the cable is there, but I am not sure if the switch that goes onto the bumper is there. I will check whe I go to the lake this weekend.
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you are looking for a little box (would fit in jeans pocket) with wires coming out of one end and the plastic piece in the cable plugs into the other side.
Search all of the front of your trailer, including under and inside the A- frame. It's the piece in the red box below.
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05-03-2015, 05:57 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Bowling Green
Posts: 24
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I found the box. On the other end of the cable is a loop. Do I leave the switch housing on the TT? Where do I hook the loop end?
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05-03-2015, 06:10 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,858
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To something on your truck. The idea is if the truck and trailer separate, the cable will actuate and keep actuated the trailer brakes.
It ain't pretty but it can save a life.
__________________
 Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
2017- F350 6.7 PSD Lariat FX4,SRW, SB,CC
Hughes PWD SP-50A, TST TPMS
Gator roll-up bed cover
B&W Turnover ball, Companion Std hitch
Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
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05-03-2015, 06:16 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aurora CO
Posts: 2,334
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kykids
I found the box. On the other end of the cable is a loop. Do I leave the switch housing on the TT? Where do I hook the loop end?
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I use a carabeener (sp?) clip and clip it to the back of the truck
__________________
Jim & Kim from Colorado
2014 Eagle 30.5 RLS
2015 Dodge 3500HD SRW 6.7L
Click on my profile for Mods and notes
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