Need advice on testing breakaway switch

[Charles L]

Originally Posted by Spk64

Sounds like yours was stuck. It takes a little force but not enough to break. I carry a spare and test the breakaway once a month.
You may need to replace the complete unit of it was truly stuck that bad.

I did replace it. I installed a metal key ring that was missing on mine and pulled it out with my finger. Works as it should now. Thank you.

[Ljwt330]

Simply put:

The brake system’s compressor is powered by the Jeep battery.

The breakaway pin can get gunked up and should be pulled and the inside cleaned regularly.

The rv umbilical does not need to be connected to the Jeep for testing the breakaway.

As mentioned, a charge line to the Jeep will insure the battery does not discharge due to excessive braking.

[YC1]

Keep the pin exercised and lubed.

Yep, just pulling it out activates it.

[Kevin_D]

See, I think the breakaway is backwards, particularly for a portable system.
To activate the failsafe breakaway, a contact closure is required. If you happen to forget to plug in the breakaway cable, then the brakes will work as normal, with no safety breakaway feature.
It should require a contact opening to trigger the failsafe: that way, you can't forget to connect this vital safety feature, because the brakes won't release until the breakaway is plugged in.

But that's just me...

[Arch Hoagland]

Keep a spare pin in your car.

Mine got pulled out by the brushes in a car wash. Couldn't move my car. Fortunately I had a spare in the glove compartment and moved out of the carwash where seven cars were lined up waiting for me to move.

After they got washed I found my break away pin on the car wash floor.

I just noticed on my first reply I said 'you do need to be connected'. Should have said 'You do NOT need to be connected'