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07-25-2018, 09:14 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 10
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Breakaway activated on highway...
Didn't happen to me, but to the family we camp with. Received a call last weekend that they were on the side of the road because their travel trailer was smoking like crazy while they were driving to the campground. We figured out that the breakaway switch had closed and slammed the brakes on. He even sent me a picture of the melted switch. I asked him how long he thinks he drove like that and he thought maybe 2-3 miles.  I explained to him how to disable the switch so they could limp home. They made it with no more smoke...
Now- I'm a mechanic by trade so I told him I'd take a look at it for him and figure out what we need to replace/inspect to get them back on the road for the next trip. Obviously I'll have to replace the breakaway switch and any melted wiring (and figure out why it applied in the first place). I figure the tires may have flat spots and will likely need replacement. I'll inspect the drums and shoes. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to repack and inspect the wheel bearings in case they got hot.
Anything else I should look at?
Dan
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07-25-2018, 09:20 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,292
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You may have to replace the magnets as well as they probably over heated.
__________________
2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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07-25-2018, 09:46 PM
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#3
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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Mind sharing how they disabled the switch? I would like to hang onto that little nugget of knowledge.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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07-25-2018, 10:00 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Space Coast of Florida
Posts: 4,021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad
Mind sharing how they disabled the switch? I would like to hang onto that little nugget of knowledge.
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Just 2 wires. I assume the switch is normally open and closes when activated. Cut one of the wires behind the switch.
If it is NC then cut both wires, strip and wrap em together.
__________________
2016 Siverback 33IK, Towed 50K+ mile
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L V8 Diesel 4WD Crew Cab
"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."
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07-25-2018, 10:01 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 781
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad
Mind sharing how they disabled the switch? I would like to hang onto that little nugget of knowledge.
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Yes, please share.
Tuckerdog1
__________________
2016 RAM 2500 Cummins SLT Lone Star 4X4 LB
2016 Windjammer 3029W Platinum
I'm not an expert. But I play one on the internet.
You live & learn or you don't live long.
If you don't punish your children, life will.
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07-25-2018, 10:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
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Normally Open.
Easy, disconnect the battery on the trailer.
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
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07-25-2018, 10:16 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuckerdog1
Yes, please share.
Tuckerdog1
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I had him unhook the battery and cut one of the wires leading to the switch. I had him pay attention to how many sparks flew when he hooked the battery back up and he said he didn’t really see any. Must have worked as he made it home event free.
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07-25-2018, 10:19 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 10
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Breakaway activated on highway...
The picture of the breakaway switch
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07-25-2018, 10:55 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dsayl1
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So, did they pull the pin from the switch or was the pin missing from the switch when they finally located it? Seems more plausible that something (debris) snagged the cable and pulled it, the current flowing through the switch to the brakes caused the switch to heat up and melt, and at some point they noticed the smoke but never noticed the trailer become extra hard to keep towing which makes me think their brakes are way out of adjustment. If full power were applied to my trailer's brakes while I were towing I would feel it immediately. Even with my brake controller gain set at about 2/3 of max I can still feel a strong tug from the trailer when I manually activate the trailer brakes to ensure they are functional before heading down the road.
In any case, glad nobody was hurt and hopefully the damage/repairs are minimal.
__________________
2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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07-25-2018, 11:02 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 781
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dsayl1
I had him unhook the battery and cut one of the wires leading to the switch. I had him pay attention to how many sparks flew when he hooked the battery back up and he said he didn’t really see any. Must have worked as he made it home event free.
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Thanks.
Tuckerdog1
__________________
2016 RAM 2500 Cummins SLT Lone Star 4X4 LB
2016 Windjammer 3029W Platinum
I'm not an expert. But I play one on the internet.
You live & learn or you don't live long.
If you don't punish your children, life will.
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07-25-2018, 11:48 PM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,069
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How long is his breakaway cord? I agree with above poster, the cable probably snagged on something. Dragging the trailer like that probably overheated the switch. Definitely odd that it took him that long to notice the drag feeling and the smoke. Guess he was in the zone and distracted by family. I would definitely check all brakes, bearings, tires etc. for damage and yes he will likely need a new set of tires.
__________________
2014 Crew Cab Chevy Silverado 3500 4wd Duramax/Allison
2014 Sabre 34REQS-6
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07-25-2018, 11:51 PM
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#12
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54 Years, 13 RV's
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 846
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The breakaway switch is normally open (NO). Meaning that the pin is holding the contacts apart, keeping current from flowing through the switch, keeping the brakes off.
When the pin is pulled, the contacts connect and pass current through the switch. This applies full current to the brakes.
The switch is in-line between the battery and the brake wire, doing nothing when open, and applying the brakes when closed.
Simply cut either wire and tape it up to prevent contact with the frame. Be very careful not to let the wire or wire cutter contact any metal, ESPECIALLY the propane tanks. Best to disconnect the battery cable to cut the wire, then re-connect it.
No speculation on why it deployed, and melted.
__________________
2021 Rockwood 2511S
2020 GMC 1500 6.2L
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07-25-2018, 11:56 PM
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#13
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54 Years, 13 RV's
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 846
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Notice how close the burned switch is to the propane hose.......... Real scary. Thank goodness it didn't burn through.
OP and family is VERY LUCKY. Glad to hear that this only damaged "replaceable stuff".
__________________
2021 Rockwood 2511S
2020 GMC 1500 6.2L
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07-26-2018, 12:01 AM
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#14
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54 Years, 13 RV's
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 846
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Notice in the picture that the pin is missing.
__________________
2021 Rockwood 2511S
2020 GMC 1500 6.2L
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07-26-2018, 12:01 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 603
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asquared
How long is his breakaway cord? I agree with above poster, the cable probably snagged on something. Dragging the trailer like that probably overheated the switch. Definitely odd that it took him that long to notice the drag feeling and the smoke. Guess he was in the zone and distracted by family. I would definitely check all brakes, bearings, tires etc. for damage and yes he will likely need a new set of tires.
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I'm gonna guess he had very weak/poorly adjusted brakes, as was suggested, so his tires are probably fine because it sounds like they weren't dragging on the road, it is almost the equivalent to leaving the parking brake on.
__________________
Travel Trailer: 2004 Flagstaff 25LB
New Tow Vehicle: 2017 F-150 3.5 Ecoboost, supercrew short bed FX4 Lariat
Old Tow Vehicle: 2009 Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Ext. Cab Short Bed
Travel Pooch:Sophie the Sato - Cats: Rhody and Hazy
2018:22nights / 2019:31Nights / 2020:18Nights
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07-26-2018, 12:19 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Monticello, IL
Posts: 1,696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnfort
Notice how close the burned switch is to the propane hose.......... Real scary. Thank goodness it didn't burn through.
OP and family is VERY LUCKY. Glad to hear that this only damaged "replaceable stuff".
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That isn’t the propane line, that is the cabling for the trailer plug connection.
__________________
2017 GMC Canyon - CCLB, 4x4, 2.8L Duramax, ARE Z-series shell
2013 Shamrock 21SS
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07-26-2018, 12:28 AM
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#17
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54 Years, 13 RV's
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 846
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Thank goodness.
__________________
2021 Rockwood 2511S
2020 GMC 1500 6.2L
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07-26-2018, 04:40 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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While inspecting/replacing the wheel bearing also "REPLACE" the Rear Seals! Yes disconnect Batt.then cut 1 wire from "Breakaway" switch,then reconnect Batt!  Youroo!! 
__________________
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07-26-2018, 09:24 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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That happened to me on the way to the tadpoles rally, my brakes were adjusted right, going 60 miles an hour, pulling the trailer, there is no way possible to lock those brakes up period, they will engage but not lock up at a continuous speed. Your going to burn them and glaze the pads. Ask me how I know
__________________
Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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07-26-2018, 12:07 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 672
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dalford
Just 2 wires. I assume the switch is normally open and closes when activated. Cut one of the wires behind the switch.
If it is NC then cut both wires, strip and wrap em together.
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X2
__________________
Retired Auto body teacher
2021 Arctic Wolf 3550 Suite
2019 F-250 Lariat Super Crew 6.2
Having lots of Fun traveling with my wife 
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