Is Battery Needed for Running Lights?

[cekkk]

I've removed my battery for winter and it's a ways from here, long story, and want to move the TT. I'll hook up the 7 pin to the TV, of course, but will the lights and TT brakes work without the battery, or do I have to reinstall it? If it is necessary to have a battery, would a 12v motorcycle battery do the trick for the move? Thanks.

[MtnGuy]

Your running lights, brake lights, and the brakes will work fine without a battery in your trailer. But.......your emergency braking system will not work without a trailer battery !!!!!

A 12 volt motorcycle battery or 12 volt garden tractor battery should work just fine....just make sure it is charged and hooked up correctly.

[bikendan]

it's against the law, to transport a trailer without a power source for the breakaway switch, meaning a 12v battery.

not sure if those smaller batteries have enough juice to power the trailer's electric brakes if something happens.

[buffalohunter]

Good Question cekkk. mtnguy's answer is right on and bikendan makes a good point. I am not sure either if a m/c battery would do the trick or not. You could hook one up and pull the breakaway cable and see if the brakes activate or not. That should give you the answer. I would be curious to hear how it goes for you.

[papap]

if you move it without the battery. I would wrap the hot lead to make sure it does not touch the frame while it is hooked to truck.

[MtnGuy]

I have noticed on many non-camper trailers, that there is just a small battery box for the emergency break-away battery, that is why I figured a motorcycle battery should be sufficient.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I have noticed on many non-camper trailers, that there is just a small battery box for the emergency break-away battery, that is why I figured a motorcycle battery should be sufficient.

That magnet has to hang on to the hub pretty hard to stop a 10,000 pound or larger camper. I would think the heavier the camper; the bigger the battery needed to supply the current to keep the wheels in "stop mode".

AL-KO Kober - Brakes, Hubs & Drums

Once the voltage starts to drop off the magnet will lose power and provide less friction; thus less stopping power.

[mrtodds]

The brakes will need 10 amps of available current when actuated by the breakaway switch. Any small battery mentioned can deliver that in the short time it takes your rig to smoke its way off the road and into the guardrail! lol The switch will appy full power to the brakes usually causing them to lock up.....but it "will" stop the camper in the 20 seconds it needs from highway speeds.

[Herk7769]

I have seen horse trailers with motorcycle type batteries as the only emergency power. <shrug> Your call.

[09grizzly1]

The motorcycle battery will be fine(fully charged).The regulation here in BC is the breakaway system must hold the brakes on for a min of 15 minutes.If your properly hooked up you should not have the need for the breakaway system to be utilized.

09grizzly1

[cekkk]

Very thorough discussion, thank you all. I'll heed the advice here, especially
Grzzly's!