They are required by law in almost every state these days on that size of trailer. Only a half a dozen or so states that dont require them yet. I think all states require them on the interstate.
Break Aways kit is a protective devices that applies the Trailer's Brakes if for some reason it gets detached from the towing vehicle. Uses a back up battery attatched to the trailer to apply the trailers brakes.
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Just eating rainbows and butterflies
Can any one give me more info or a link for more info about this?? My trailer does not have this so I need to install one and i need to know how to wire it.
GREG
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1989 F-350 SPEED 7.3
EXTENDED CAB
FIRST DESIEL LOOKING FOR TIPS.
I think the states that require them only require them for non-fifth wheel trailers so you're off the hook. Goosenecks and bumper pulls need them but fivers don't.
18 wheelers have air brakes. If the tralier disconnects, it tears off the air lines and once the brake system looses air the brakes lock down.
When they put their brakes on pressure is reduced from the system...engaging the brakes. Adding pressure releases the brakes. Opposite of hydraulic or electric systems.
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2002 F350 4x4 CC DRW Lariat 7.3 auto 4.10 LS diff.(bought 5-05 @ 76,000 miles) Pyro, Boost, and Trans gauges. AIH delete. Tru-Cool Max trans cooler. Magnafine filter. Royal Purple MAX synthetic ATF. 55 gallon aux bed tank. 2LO Mod.
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I think the states that require them only require them for non-fifth wheel trailers so you're off the hook. Goosenecks and bumper pulls need them but fivers don't.
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I think they must be required in many if not all states, my cheap a$$ Fleetwood has a break away, I am sure if it were not required they wouldn't have included it. Also, on the RV.net forums this is a common question in the 5er forum "what do you connect your break away cable to?"...... Randy
wouldn't that be neat with our trailers though, to have electric brakes work in reverse. No more unknown problems with trailers, or idiots wihtout brakes in the other lanes.
It'd be an emergency brake. I wish I had one for my trailer. It's scary depending on two tires to hold all that weight on a hill.
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2006 GMC K3500 CC DRW 4x4
1994 F-350 DRW PS w/ zf5
1996 Town Car
look here and it does NOT make a diference if its a fifth wheel or a bumber pull trailer, it goes by weight. most trailer sales places include one but do not mention anything about the laws. the less information they give you the better it looks for them. i think they should be able to and required to pass on the trailer towing laws for the sate of purchase, but oh well....
this has a good breakdown of the states towing laws. (last update was 04)
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Sorry, it takes me so long to respond. I have difficulty typing and seeing small type. I can read better if it is in caps, so I'm not shouting, just trying to see what I type.
2004 VW Golf TDI - Automatic, 100 HP Diesel gets 42 MPG around town. XM Satellite Radio
2001 Monaco Knight - 265 HP Cummins gets 12.5 MPG towing the TDI
To answer your question. Yes your fifthwheel needs a brakaway. The brakaway is there to stop the trailer from running over YOU. and the other people out on the highway with you.Big trucks use a spring brake that is air activated. Air on releases the brakes air off sets brakes. Electric and hydrolic use power 12 volts to activate the brakes. the battery on the trailer 4or 5 amp is just enough to activate the electric or hydrolic activator 1 time. It does not take a genius to figure ot that if the trailer comes off and you are in frount and you stop and the trailer has no way to stop. were does it stop. After it hits something right. You are in frount.
It is a simple instulation for electric brakes and electrolic. must have power 12 volt from towing vehicle and brake line. hardest part is getting battery box that will not brake from the pounding from the battery in the box. If you allready have batterys in the trailer you dont need the battery Just need switch.mount it close to the hitch away from the swing of the hitch. one wire goes to the battery and one goes to the brake activation wire. When you pull the key out of the switch it should activate the brakes. make shure you hook the wire from the key to a spot on the truck not the hitch. If hitch brakes and it goes with the brakeaway it dont work.
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look here and it does NOT make a diference if its a fifth wheel or a bumber pull trailer, it goes by weight. most trailer sales places include one but do not mention anything about the laws. the less information they give you the better it looks for them. i think they should be able to and required to pass on the trailer towing laws for the sate of purchase, but oh well....
this has a good breakdown of the states towing laws. (last update was 04)
yup yup yup guys it goes by weight!!! Something else to consider, and is often overlooked. The brake away kits are only as good as the battery that is running them. Check your batteries often. They need to be recharged on a monthly (probably weekly) basis.
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Just eating rainbows and butterflies
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