Trailer Break Battery

[bigtiller]

It's more than $5, but this is a typical battery tester... Battery Load Tester - 100 Amp, 6v/12v

You have to interpret the results based on the size of your battery, but it will tell you how much juice your battery will store. I have one of these (different brand) that I got at a yard sale, and I love it.

I have a load tester similar to that but I seldom have a chance to use it any more. I had no idea I could use it on such a small battery. I'll have to read up on it tomorrow.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris is cheating because he pulls his trailers A LOT compared to many of us. If you're like me and only pull your trailer a few hundred miles a year it's probably a good idea to top off your battery regularly with a charger. Letting a lead acid battery sit without a full charge will kill them fast.

This is true. Its been 2 weeks since I had my 18' car hauler out of the barn and seems like forever. Its next job is to go get some siding for a barn extension.

Chris

 

[slowzuki]

15 minutes? So say the brakes full on are 20 amp draw, so a 5 amp-hour battery? I'm sure the little ones we use here won't get that.

 

[TRR]

You drive it to the check station, (the 10 minutes I said before), pull the brake-away, wait 15 mins, and see what happens.

Be sure you disconnect your brake controller. Mine has a warning that the brake controller could be damaged by pulling the brake-away switch while connected to the truck.

 

[bigtiller]

15 minutes?
30 seconds?
wire gets hot?
controller may get damaged?
20 amps from a 5 amp battery?

Is there some conflicting information here or am I having a problem processing it all?

 

[Diamondpilot]

15 minutes?
30 seconds?
wire gets hot?
controller may get damaged?
20 amps from a 5 amp battery?

Is there some conflicting information here or am I having a problem processing it all?

I am just telling you what the law is. Here in Indiana, like most states its 15 Minutes. I guess they figure by that time help would be on the way to secure the trailer in a worst case situation.

I have done this tons of times and never remember excess heat in the battery or wiring.

Its a good idea though to pull the plug from the truck. It makes sense because the trailer would be separated from the truck anyway if needed.

Chris

 

[MikeD74T]

...:ashamed:15 minutes seems silly though, since it only has to hold for 10 seconds in a typical break away... JB

A few seconds would allow the trailer to stop but suppose you were going down a hill & disconnected. Would you like to be backing up only to realize the brakes had released & the trailer was now rolling toward you ??? I wouldn't assume the breakaway actuated before the chains fail, although I'd hope it did. MikeD74T

 

[jwstewar]

Last time I took the camper out, I routed the breakaway wire a little differently than I normally do because it seemed pretty long. Well, apparently I took out too much slack. I pulled up through the yard to make a left turn to the driveway and all of sudden the truck stopped and started grunting. The pin had pulled out and locked all 4 tires on the trailer. Brake controller (Tekonsha Prodigy) read error or something, don't remember exactly. Plugged the switch back in and was good to go. Trailer tires slid probably 7 - 8 feet in the wet grass.

BTW, this is out 36' Jayco that weighs 8k from the factory towing it with my '99 Silverado 1500.

 

[JB4310]

A few seconds would allow the trailer to stop but suppose you were going down a hill & disconnected. Would you like to be backing up only to realize the brakes had released & the trailer was now rolling toward you ??? I wouldn't assume the breakaway actuated before the chains fail, although I'd hope it did. MikeD74T

I hear ya, But I'm thinking that initial 60 to 0 MPH part. I agree on a steep enough hill bad things could happen, especially with a heavy trailer, even with the tongue on the ground.

JB

 

[tcartwri]

15 minutes?
30 seconds?
wire gets hot?
controller may get damaged?
20 amps from a 5 amp battery?

Is there some conflicting information here or am I having a problem processing it all?

Triple axle trailer, with brakes on each, draws a considerable amount of current. The terminals on the battery get hot enough to cause burns. Ask me how I know. :laughing:

A 5 A/hr battery will most definitely provide 20A of instant current.