Trailer brakes

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Our neighbour has a tow horse trailer, it gets little use but she does get in maintained.

The is a small 'motorcycle' type battery near the hitch that seems to be left untouched for many years.

What is the function of this battey?
 
DOT requires that trailers equipped with brakes have a break-away system, in the event that the trailer should become detached from the tow vehicle; trailers equipped with electric brakes have a battery for this system, and it must be able to maintain brake activation for 15 minutes minimum.
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
DOT requires that trailers equipped with brakes have a break-away system, in the event that the trailer should become detached from the tow vehicle; trailers equipped with electric brakes have a battery for this system, and it must be able to maintain brake activation for 15 minutes minimum.
+1
 
Originally Posted By: expat
Our neighbour has a tow horse trailer, it gets little use but she does get in maintained.

The is a small 'motorcycle' type battery near the hitch that seems to be left untouched for many years.

What is the function of this battey?


Probably power for the breakaway brakes. There should be a switch near the tongue that would have a lanyard and a pin, the idea being if the trailer came loose from the trailer hitch, the lanyard would be attached to the tow vehicle so it pulls the pin, and the battery applies the electric brakes. If the trailer has electric brakes, it's usually required to have a breakaway switch and battery.
 
Originally Posted By: expat
Our neighbour has a tow horse trailer, it gets little use but she does get in maintained.

The is a small 'motorcycle' type battery near the hitch that seems to be left untouched for many years.

What is the function of this battey?


The battery activates the brakes if the pull-away switch gets activated. Basically when you have lost the trailer while driving. The vehicle should be charging the battery.

I suspect it does not work properly on many trailers.
 
Break away setup. Around here the cops will check to see if the set up works.
 
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