![]() ![]() 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: In this postI mentioned that before every camping trip I test the trailer’s breakaway switch. ![]()
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