Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Breakaway switch

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Breakaway switch

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7918
Printed Date: 22 Jun 2025 at 8:52pm
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Topic: Breakaway switch

Posted By: GLBCamper
Subject: Breakaway switch
Date Posted: 12 May 2016 at 7:58pm

Does anyone regularly test the breakaway switch. Bargman has instructions on how do to it but I've never seen anyone say they've actually done it and nothing is mentioned the the forum "manual." So do you test yours? Annually? Or?

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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport

Replies:

Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 12 May 2016 at 8:09pm

I have tested mine a few times, particularly after working on the trailer or when noticing strange brake behavior. I have read reports of defective switches so periodic testing is probably smart. The test is easy if you have a clamp on ammeter. The brakes should draw about 4 Amps per wheel or 8 amps per axle.

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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 12 May 2016 at 8:10pm

Hmmm never have tested that.

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 12 May 2016 at 9:23pm

I test mine every six months or 3,000 miles. Whichever comes first.

I test by using 4 frozen peas, 2 each on opposite fenders....

Oh, never mind. I decided to suspend my pea campaign.

To be honest, I would concentrate much more on hitch hookup and safety pin , safety chains and walk around. If the trailer got away from you, it was probably because you ignored one of those.

The frozen pea on the fender thing works, but it's complicated.

Fred

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2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 13 May 2016 at 9:03am

A couple times over the last couple years.. OK, twice since new..

I have pulled the cable and then use a compass to see if they were energizing the magnets. They were. Good enough for me.

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Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 13 May 2016 at 1:04pm

Here are the instructions from the Bargman site:

"To test an electric breakaway system, you will have to have the trailer hitched to the tow vehicle. You will also want to check the state of charge in the breakaway battery, it should be fully charged. Step 1- Unplug the trailer connector from the tow vehicle. Step 2- Pull the pin straight out of the breakaway switch. This will require approximately 40 pounds of pull to remove the pin. Step 3- Attempt to pull the trailer with the tow vehicle. The trailer wheels will rotate a little, to apply the brakes. The brakes should then be set hard enough to not allow the trailer to roll freely. If the trailer rolls freely, service breakaway system or trailer brakes and retest. Step 4- Reinsert the pin into the breakaway switch and reconnect the trailer plug to the tow vehicle. NOTE: The lack of heavy brake application could be due to the brakes being out of adjustment, low breakaway battery voltage or a heavily loaded trailer."

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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport