Breakaway Switch Question

[Dlambert]

Does the pin in the breakaway actually pull out of the switch to activate? How hard of a pull does it take?

I switched to LiFePo4 batteries in our 23LDE and reworked the connections on the tongue. I pulled the breakaway cable to verify the brakes still worked and didnt get any movement. I am hesitant to put a real ugga ugga into it in in case I break something…

[Second Chance]

Yes - the pin actually pulls out of the switch housing to activate the circuit. It's takes a pretty good jerk - but I've done it by accident messing around the pin box and catching the cable with something. If you pull straight, you will not harm the switch by pulling the plunger out.

Rob

[Jomani]

Just give it a quick tug. When you go to put it back in, you will see some keyways that have to lined back up. I actually test mine about once a year - just pull the pin and put the truck in drive.

[Dlambert]

Thanks for the responses! I’ll give it a go later today.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

If you pull straight, you will not harm the switch by pulling the plunger out.

Rob

Famous last words.....

[Dlambert]

Well…my old man was fond of telling me I could break a steel anvil with a glass hammer…

Life happened, so I’ll check the switch tomorrow.

Thanks again!

[Riverbug]

Famous last words.....

Would you mind elaborating on that? Seeing this post I realized I have never actually tested mine but do recall reading somewhere that pulling the pin can cause damage, but I cannot recall why, how, or what could be damaged. I assume those are not meant to be one-time-use devices that require replacement once activated?

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Would you mind elaborating on that? Seeing this post I realized I have never actually tested mine but do recall reading somewhere that pulling the pin can cause damage, but I cannot recall why, how, or what could be damaged. I assume those are not meant to be one-time-use devices that require replacement once activated?

Just my screwed up sense of humour.
It was posted in jest, partially serious. The jest part, when someone says it won't hurt or damage something...murphy shows up and something happens.
The serious part? It is not common for that pin to be pulled as intended by your trailer breaking away. So very few people actually test it. I'm guilty of not annually checking it. So it can get stuck in there and while it has not happened to me, I have read over the years of it happening to some people that it broke when pulling it - the keyed tip breaking, lanyard attachment point breaking, that kind of thing. Sooo...test it...but not the day you are leaving.
And no it isn't a one time use item, although if it ever comes into play in a real life situation, it will probably end up in the junkyard with the rest of the RV after being used once.

[Riverbug]

Just my screwed up sense of humour.
It was posted in jest, partially serious. The jest part, when someone says it won't hurt or damage something...murphy shows up and something happens.
The serious part? It is not common for that pin to be pulled as intended by your trailer breaking away. So very few people actually test it. I'm guilty of not annually checking it. So it can get stuck in there and while it has not happened to me, I have read over the years of it happening to some people that it broke when pulling it - the keyed tip breaking, lanyard attachment point breaking, that kind of thing. Sooo...test it...but not the day you are leaving.
And no it isn't a one time use item, although if it ever comes into play in a real life situation, it will probably end up in the junkyard with the rest of the RV after being used once.

Haha! Got it. Okay, I'll have to test mine too. Now that you mention it, I do recall reading that the plastic pin sometimes breaks. I suppose after a while in the sun it get brittle like most plastic. Thanks for the response. Good humor.

[xrated]

One thing I would suggest, and this may be an "obvious" thing to most......but when you pull it to do the test, make sure that you pull it STRAIGHT out and NOT at an angle. I would think that would go a long way towards it NOT breaking when being pulled out.