Testing the breakaway switch . . .

[WaltBennett]

We had a Keystone TT for over five years and I'd periodically pull the breakaway wire to hear the brakes engage. No problem. Just tried doing that to our 'new' 2010 Monty and the whole plastic thingie pulled out! First time I'd ever seen that happen, but I was able to put it back in the way it came out. According to the lame piece of paper that came with our 5er, I did what I was supposed to, but I somehow don't think the results were quite right. Anyone have some comments before I go through hooking up, trying everything out and then maybe getting a new switch?

 

[8.1al]

I believe it's supposed to come out like that

 

[bncinwv]

Charlie is correct, when it is pulled out the brakes engage, replace it and the brakes should release.
Bingo

 

[WaltBennett]

The switch we had on the '07 TT would pull out a bit but not come all the way out like this one. The Bargman little sheet says to pull it to 'stage 1' whatever that is supposed to mean. Has no other pics or description. If that's what they do now, it's OK - I just don't want to have to find a new one on Friday when we're going on the road.

 

[Krease]

All the breakaway switches on my 3 trailers pull all the way out. I mean, that's what would happen in an emergency should your trailer choose to quit traveling with your truck.

 

[racerjoe]

Quote from Krease "that's what would happen in an emergency should your trailer choose to quit traveling with your truck."

I like that one !!!

 

[DQDick]

We have a 2010 and the whole plastic piece comes out, don't ask how I discovered that or how long the black marks were.

 

[1retired06]

Just be careful when you reinsert, and line up the plug fins correctly and it will easily snap in.

 

[Art-n-Marge]

I guess if one wanted to test a breakaway cable it should always be pulled completely out. This would simulate the actual breakaway in the event of a separation. This is how it was explained to me at the PDI. Pulling it out only part way only denotes there's a chance it could work, but one will not fully know unless it is completely broken away.

WaltBennett, is it possible that the prior method of testing the whole breakaway system by trying to engage the system a little bit and hearing something might not be enough? How would one know that the noise is the brakes engaging and not something else that is short of what should work. In my rig, when I pull the breakaway completely for testing I don't hear much (or I'm more deaf than most), so the only way I know it's engaged is when I try to pull away and the trailer is not rolling because the brakes are on. Then I reinstall the breakaway and then I can pull away. That works for me.

 

[8.1al]

First of all if you want to test the breakaway switch make sure you are not connected to the brake controller as this could damage some controllers. You can check for power to the brakes with a compass. As you get it close to each wheel the pointer should swing towards it.

 

[WaltBennett]

Our '07 Cougar TT switch would pull out about a half inch without making any noise to speak of, and I could hear the brakes engaging - they made a fairly loud noise. Our '10 Monty's switch pops all the way out, making as much noise (next to my ears as well) as the brakes. Had to try moving the thing to see if the brakes were engaged. The plastic piece did go back in w/o any problem though. Never had that piece come all the way out before, as our previous to the TT was a class C SOB. Always something new to figure out.