Breakaway switch 2021

SteelCity

I have a 2021 T@G XL that I just bought. I didn’t even know it had a trailer breakaway system until after I towed it home 160 miles from where I bought it. I had zero issues in those 160 miles with braking except that the brakes seemed a little weak and probably need adjusting. I looked at where the breakaway pin is supposed to connect and there is no pin in there. Shouldn’t the brakes have been completely locked up when I tried to tow it and wouldn’t that have been obvious?

SteelCity

Edit to add: this is the first trailer I’ve ever owned with brakes so this is all new to me. 

Colorado_Bruce

The manual for the 2021 T@G XL is avail here.   See Page 16.

General info on electric brakes breakaway systems

SteelCity

Upon closer inspection the pin actually was in there. It had broken off and I had to use needle nose pliers to get it out. Replaced it with a new one and inserted and removed it several times to make sure it wasn’t binding. That appears to have solved the mystery. 

Funny how the guy in the video unintentionally broke the pin while trying to show how it works. Maybe these thing aren’t as reliable as they are supposed to be. 

Colorado_Bruce

@SteelCity- were you able to confirm the location and condition of the aux battery that supplies current to the brakes after the breakaway pin has been pulled?

SteelCity

I visually inspected it and everything looks normal now but I haven’t tested it yet. I need to jack it up sometime this week to adjust the brakes so I’ll do a test of it then. 

SteelCity

I adjusted the brakes and tested the breakaway today. Works as it should!

Colorado_Bruce

Where is the breakaway battery located?

SteelCity

It’s located on the tongue behind the breakaway box. 

Colorado_Bruce

Have a photo of the battery it contains?

Sharon_is_SAM

@Colorado_Bruce - during a complete disconnect, the TaG electric brakes are powered by the house battery.  The breakaway pin removal triggers the brakes to lock up.  Trailers that do not have a house battery (like a utility trailer) generally have an alternate power source to power the brakes in a breakaway scenario.

Colorado_Bruce

Thanks, makes sense, @Sharon_is_SAM, as I was unable to locate an Aux Battery on my 2021 XL.

SteelCity

I guess I was wrong. There’s some kind of box behind the breakaway box on mine. I assumed that was some sort of battery. Maybe it’s a fuse box? I’m just guessing. This is the first trailer I’ve ever towed with brakes so I’m no expert. 

Colorado_Bruce

@SteelCity - 

Have not opened mine, but pretty sure it is the junction box from the 7 round that is seen in this thread.

SteelCity

I believe you are correct