DIY: How To Check Your Breakaway Safety

The team at The RV Repair Centre walk through how to check your breakaway safety.

Vans exceeding two tonne gross trailer mass are required by law to have a breakaway device. This safety system will apply your caravan brakes in the event of the caravan becoming detached from your tow vehicle.

When you put your foot on the brake in your car in normal operation, an electrical signal is sent to the van brakes turning them on. Similarly, the breakaway device also sends an electrical signal to turn the van brakes on. The signal is activated when the breakaway switch is deployed. It’s a very simple idea that is a bit like a hand grenade. Sitting on your A-frame is a little switch box that has a pin in it. When the pin is pushed in, the switch is in the off position. If the pin is pulled out, the switch is turned on, causing the brakes to activate. The pin is attached to your car with a wire cord. If the van detaches from the car, the pin will be pulled out.

Check the battery status and fuse

The breakaway system relies on its own dedicated battery to generate the electrical signal to activate the brakes. Like all batteries, over time they lose the ability to hold charge and eventually stop working altogether. If the battery is not working, the breakaway system is not working. The breakaway battery box has a test button. Pressing the button applies the van brakes/brake lights and shows the battery charge status via indicator lights. This check should be done each time you use the van.

STEP 1: Locate the breakaway battery box and press the “Test Battery Level” button.

STEP 2: A green light indicates the battery is fully charged

STEP 3: Ask a helper to check if the van brake lights come on when you press the test button

STEP 4: If the green indicator light comes on and the van brake lights come on the test is good

STEP 5: A red light indicates the battery is low and should be charged before use

STEP 6: The battery box has external positive and negative terminals allowing the battery to be charged

STEP 7: No light indicates the battery is likely dead flat and should be replaced or charged before use 

STEP 8: To replace the battery, first, remove the battery box cover which is a tab fit

STEP 9: Disconnect the terminals and remove the battery

STEP 10: Fit a new battery and reconnect the terminals

STEP 11: Press the test button to check for a green light

STEP 12: No indicator light could also be caused by a blown fuse or a number of other variables. In this instance, seek help from a caravan repairer

STEP 13: Close the battery box lid

STEP 14: The battery box also has an indicator light to show it is charging. To check this, connect the trailer plug between your car and van and an amber light should come on. If the light does not come on, seek help from an auto electrician

Check the breakaway switch

STEP 1: Locate the breakaway switch on the A-frame

STEP 2 Check that the switch box can freely swivel so that the pin is able to pull out when the car is turning

STEP 3: Pull the pin from the breakaway switch box

STEP 4: Check that the van brake lights have come on

As a final check, you can hitch up the car, connect the trailer plug and disengage the handbrake. Then pull the breakaway pin and drive forward slightly. This will enable you to test if the brakes on the van are activating.

If the brake lights/brakes do not come on, the breakaway switch or connections may be faulty. In this instance, seek help from a caravan repairer.

IF IN DOUBT, CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL

Improper maintenance can lead to injury, death, or property damage. Maintenance work of this nature should only be undertaken by people with suitable competence. Information provided is general in nature, not comprehensive and should only be taken as a guide. Individual discretion must be exercised and persons undertaking described tasks do so completely at their own risk. Publishers and creators of this content accept no responsibility for loss or damage.

Thanks to Andrew Phillips and the team from the RV Repair Centre, 120 Canterbury Rd, Bayswater Nth Vic 3151, Ph: (03) 9761 4189.