Operating Guide

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the tow vehicle. If the electrical system on your tow
vehicle does not provide power to the battery, you
must periodically charge the battery with a commercial
battery charger to keep the battery charged.
^ CAUTION
Extreme cold weather can degrade battery
performance and cause brakes to not
operate properly.
Check battery charge level before towing.
Do not tow trailer if the battery requires recharging. A
discharged brake battery will not activate the brakes if
the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle. The battery
must be fully charged before towing trailer.
To test the breakaway brake battery, remove the pullpin
from the switch and attempt to pull the trailer forward.
You should feel the trailer resisting being towed, but
the wheels will not necessarily be locked. If the brakes
do not function, do not tow the trailer until brakes, or
battery, are repaired.
Immediately replace the pullpin. The breakaway
brake battery discharges rapidly when the pullpin is
removed.
^ WARNING
An ineffective breakaway brake system can
result in a runaway trailer, leading to death
or serious injury if the coupler fails.
Test the function of the breakaway brake
system before towing trailer. Do not tow
trailer if breakaway brake system is not
working; have it serviced or repaired.
Connect breakaway lanyard to the tow
vehicle, NOT to the safety chain, ball,
pintle, hitch, or support.
Do not tow the trailer with the breakaway brake system
ON because the brakes will overheat which can result
in permanent brake failure.
^ WARNING
Failure to replace the pullpin can result
in ineffective brakes, leading to loss of
control, serious injury or death.
If you do not use your trailer for three or more months,
or during winter months:
• Store the battery indoors; and
• Charge the battery every three months.
Replace the breakaway brake battery according to the
intervals specied by battery manufacturer.
4.3.5.3 teSt Surge BrakeS (If equIpped)
Hydraulic surge actuator systems provide automatic
and smooth trailer braking without special application
by the tow vehicle driver. While this is extremely
convenient it can sometimes be difcult to determine
if the surge setup is functioning properly. The following
steps provide a quick eld-test to conrm that the trailer
brake system is operational.
^ WARNING
The eld-test procedure indicates only if
the trailer brake system is functional, but
DOES NOT provide information on how
efciently it will operate.
Regular inspection, maintenance,
and adjustment of all brake system
components (including the surge actuator,
tubing, hoses, brake clusters, drums, and
associated hardware/support structure)
are still required to ensure maximum brake
performance and smooth, even brake
operation.
Move the trailer to at, level ground, pulling FORWARD
several feet before parking. This forward motion will
ensure trailers equipped with free-backing brakes are
in their normal operating mode. Disconnect the trailer
from the tow vehicle and jack up the trailer’s tongue
until it is horizontal. Hook the trailer’s safety chains
(NOT the actuator’s breakaway cable) together to form
a loop, which is centered below the actuator’s coupler.
Place wheel chock blocks two feet behind the trailer to
prevent a runaway trailer.
Place a sturdy board, such as a 2 inch by 4 inch piece
of lumber, into the chain loop below the coupler. The
Coupling To Tow Vehicle