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Trailer breakaway cable laws8/26/2023 This motion or action pulls the shoe even more tightly against the drum, increasing the braking force. Pull the trailer forward - forward motion is required for the shoes to make contact with the drum force the brake shoes to shoe wedges against the rotating drum while the drum tries to pull the shoe along with it.Pull the pin out of the breakaway switch, this may require a little bit of force… about 35 foot-pounds or more.With the trailer and tow vehicle stopped, remove the trailer harness plug from the tow vehicle.If you have a surge system, check the Owner’s Manual, contact the manufacturer, or as a last resort use Google. This explanation is for an electric switch, but surge systems are usually similar. It is important that the breakaway cable is shorter than the safety chain, but not too short that the pin can be pulled out of the switch if the chain is stretched tight such as in a very sharp turn or when driving over a deep depression in the road. Breakaway cable connected to our tow vehicle Surge brake systems also have breakaway switches, but they do not require a battery to operate. An electric breakaway switch requires an adequate battery mounted on the trailer to apply the brakes. Should the trailer become uncoupled from the tow vehicle hitch ball, the cable pulls the pin out of the breakaway switch, and the trailer brakes are applied. On an electric brake system, a cable is connected to the tow vehicle and the other end of the cable is connected to the breakaway switch. In the event that the trailer becomes uncoupled from the tow vehicle the breakaway switch will apply the trailer brakes. How Breakaway Switches WorkĪn electric breakaway switch requires an adequate battery mounted on the trailer to apply the brakes. Surge brake systems are not necessarily better. Surge brake systems are more complicated and much more expensive to install and maintain than electric brakes, which is why most camping trailers use electric brakes. Today surge brake systems are primarily found on boat trailers because water will damage the electric brake systems used on most trailers. Instead, a pump actuator applies hydraulic pressure to the brakes based on the trailer’s weight and momentum. Surge BrakesĪre hydraulic brakes that do not have a brake controller in the tow vehicle. Brake controller in our Ford ExpeditionĪ brake controller inside the tow vehicle is activated when the brake pedal is pushed which sends voltage to the magnets in each wheel with brakes to activate the trailer brakes. ![]() The most common brake system on trailers are electric brakes. In addition, all trailers except 5th Wheels must have safety chains. In California every trailer weighing over 1,500 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight is required to have trailer brakes on at least two wheels and the brake system must also have a “breakaway” switch. Today most travel trailers (to include tent trailers) come with electric brakes. I received several questions about this statement and these questions concerned two very important items: (d) No person may be charged with a violation of this section solely by reason of violating a maximum speed prescribed in section 169.67 or this postI mentioned that before every camping trip I test the trailer’s breakaway switch. (c) This subdivision does not apply to towed implements of husbandry. A minimum fine of $25 must be imposed for a violation of this paragraph. The length of chain or cable must be no more than necessary to permit free turning of the vehicles. In towing, the chains or cables must be attached to the vehicles near the points of bumper attachments to the chassis of each vehicle, and must be of sufficient strength to control the trailer in the event of failure of the towing device. (b) Every trailer and semitrailer must be equipped with safety chains or cables permanently attached to the trailer except in cases where the coupling device is a regulation fifth wheel and kingpin assembly approved by the commissioner of public safety. (a) Every trailer or semitrailer must be hitched to the towing motor vehicle by a device approved by the commissioner of public safety.
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