Brake Pin (Breakaway cable)

Kevin80 · 06-07-2023, 03:50 PM

Hello,

I have a 2019 Jayco Jay Feather and I had the unfortunate experience of the pin getting pulled by an improperly routed breakaway cable (my fault) but it got me thinking about getting an extra pin in case something happens to the one that is in the trailer (probably unlikely).

For under $10 it seems like it could save some headaches, but it appears that there are a few different pins available;

Does anyone know the correct pin for my trailer?

PS - I was making a very tight turn in a parking lot, moving very slow, so I am not worried about the brakes or anything on the trailer. I was actually dropping it at a shop to get the axles/bearing serviced, brakes, tires, etc... checked.

**JFlightRisk** · 06-07-2023, 05:29 PM

There should be a brand on your switch to identify it, and yes, there are several brands out there. You made me look, but ours is an ESCO (Elkhart Supply Corporation) on our 2012 Jayflight. Some of the brands are Curt, Fastway, Hopkins, and Bright Way to name a few. It might be easier to get a whole switch assembly rather than matching pins up.

Now that you know what happened when your pin pulled, it probably won't happen again. You're definitely not the first to have that happen, my FIL's cable snagged on his fifth wheel hitch, and it locked up crossways to a busy street.

Kevin80 · 06-08-2023, 10:22 AM

Thanks for the reply. I checked this AM and my trailer also has an ESCO so I ordered the whole assembly. If the pins match, great, if not, at least I have a back-up.

And yeah, it was a pretty lazy (also stupid) mistake on my part but thankfully it didn't cause any issues and I learned my lesson.

**norty1** · 06-08-2023, 11:59 AM

Don't worry, if it has not happened on a rv'er yet, he's not camping enough. It is a shocker when it happens but it's a good experience in a way so you know how it feels.

My experience was in the middle of a turn at a busy intersection. Funny how it never happened again?

Kevin80 · 06-08-2023, 12:37 PM

"It is a shocker when it happens but it's a good experience in a way so you know how it feels."

Agreed!!! I actually thought to myself, "well, at least I know what that feels like." Almost immediately followed by, "You're an idiot!!!", when I saw how I ran the cable

Marcm157 · 06-08-2023, 01:04 PM

Mine was backing into my driveway and of course I misjudged the approach and tried to recover without starting over. I live on a fairly busy street in the middle of a blind curve so backing in is usually a pretty fast maneuver. I had some pretty pissed off drivers as I jumped out to tried to make the trailer moveable again!

FISTEP · 06-08-2023, 05:07 PM

I replaced the cable with a coiled one on the last trailer. I haven't gotten around to switching it out on the new trailer but this thread has inspired me to get off my lazy butt and do it before our next trip later this month!

**JFlightRisk** · 06-08-2023, 05:50 PM

We put one on ours a while ago. It takes the worry out of it dragging or snagging something.

Learjet · 06-08-2023, 08:32 PM

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=coiled+br..._ts-doa-p_1_12

mrmom · 06-09-2023, 06:37 AM

x3 on the coiled cable for the pin!

ggilbert · 06-09-2023, 07:24 AM

when the pin is pulled does it just complete or open the circuit? If so could you bypass the switch in an emergancy?

mrmom · 06-09-2023, 07:30 AM

When the pin is pulled it completes the circuit and applies full battery voltage to the brakes. To bypass it, just disconnect it at the battery. Be advised, it is illegal to travel without it in most places.

**norty1** · 06-09-2023, 07:34 AM

As a result of another thread I purchased the coiled disconnect cable and it really keeps it out of the way!

RobLO · 06-17-2023, 01:02 PM

I always worry about someone thinking it would be funny to take it to watch the result.

Route 66 Traveler · 06-17-2023, 04:18 PM

The result would be a dead battery in short order and overheated magnets, if not connected to power; plugged in would be a more serious problem.

RobLO · 06-19-2023, 07:23 AM

Route 66. Were you replying to my post?
I was referring to one taken while on route (rest stop or store or ....)
Over heating breaks on road would be my guess.
I'm confused were your statement applies.

Route 66 Traveler · 06-19-2023, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobLO

Route 66. Were you replying to my post?
I was referring to one taken while on route (rest stop or store or ....)
Over heating breaks on road would be my guess.
I'm confused were your statement applies.

If someone removed the breakaway cable on route " (rest stop or store or ....) then you aren't going anywhere unless you disconnect the 12 volts to the brakes. Another reason to do a walk-around inspection before you begin to drive. If the brakes are way out of adjustment then yes, you might be able to drive away which could cause the brakes to overheat.

Happy wife / happy life · 06-19-2023, 07:42 AM

Thanks for info folks. Should be here in a day or so.

Route 66 Traveler · 06-19-2023, 07:54 AM

One more thing to check....try pulling the pin out of the switch by pulling the cable. I discovered that mine was stuck and I needed a screwdriver to pry it out of the switch. I replaced the complete assembly and sprayed the new switch and pin with silicone. I now test it before each trip to make sure it can be removed by pulling on the cable. Letting it sit for months, or years, out in the weather will make the pin difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

FISTEP · 06-19-2023, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

One more thing to check....try pulling the pin out of the switch by pulling the cable. I discovered that mine was stuck and I needed a screwdriver to pry it out of the switch. I replaced the complete assembly and sprayed the new switch and pin with silicone. I now test it before each trip to make sure it can be removed by pulling on the cable. Letting it sit for months, or years, out in the weather will make the pin difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

I had a switch melt itself with the pin still attached and in place. The melted switch was discovered during a service and my guess is that water got inside the switch and corrosion formed a resistive path that was neither fully open nor fully closed. Current through that resistance created enough heat to melt the switch assembly and it failed open.

I regret that I didn't take the switch and pull it apart to investigate so I can't be positive on the cause of the failure or when it happened. It's just speculation based on my experience.

So now I have added a check on the condition of the switch to my rather OCD trailer connection routine.

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