What’s a Break-Away | Your Trailer’s Emergency Brakes Explained

In this video, we cover the essentials surrounding your trailer’s emergency brakes. We dive into how a break-away kit can keep your trailer – and everyone on the road – safe in the event of a separation between truck and trailer. We’ll explain what a break-away kit is, how it works, and why it’s a critical safety feature for any trailer. From the battery and switch setup to keeping your system charged for reliability. We’ll show you everything you need to know to make sure your break-away kit is ready if it’s ever needed. Watch now to discover these essential safety tips to keep your trailer securely on the road!

A break-away box and switch are designed to lock up the brakes on your trailer when it becomes disconnected from your vehicle while in tow.

How Does it Work:

The breakaway-box is a separate power source which differs from the vehicles electrical power. Once the plug is pulled from the breakaway switch all 12v from the breakaway box are applied to the braking system of the trailer. This is designed to stop the trailer as quickly as possible when it becomes decoupled from the tow vehicle.

A breakaway is an circuit that is tied into the brakes wiring assembly. The circuit is only completed when the plug is pulled from the switch. This allows the two pieces of metal to connect in the switch supplying electrical power to the brakes.

There are two different styles of breakaway boxes. One style has a battery that will last for a certain amount of time until it has to be removed from the box and changed. Another style is wired into the plug of the trailer allowing it to recharge while the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle.

Check out our website for break-away kits and other parts we offer to make trailer maintenance a breeze! https://www.blueswiftaxles.com/