12V Trailer Breakaway Kit
Price
$138.25 Inc.GST
- Mandatory component for all trailers over 2000kg ATM
- Includes battery, battery box, breakaway switch, and loom.
- Engages brakes for 15 minutes during disconnect event.
Shipping
Breakaway Brake Kit: Including 5ah Battery, Switch and 12v/5A Battery
The breakaway trailer brake kit is mandatory for all trailers with a GTM over 2000 kg. If the tow vehicle and trailer accidentally separate, the breakaway kit engages the electric brakes at full power for at least 15 minutes.
Review the wiring diagram here.
Does RTA NSW still require a monitor?
Under the Road Transport Regulation 2017, NSW law no longer requires a breakaway system to be powered by its own battery or to have a dedicated brake-battery monitoring device fitted—although this is still highly recommended.
Safety is key when driving. Well-functioning brakes are critical to ensuring a safe driving experience.
However, standard brakes may not be sufficient for those who enjoy racing or pushing their vehicle’s performance limits. That is where breakaway and brake kits come in.
A breakaway system is essentially an emergency braking system separate from the primary one. It is designed to activate in the event of a catastrophic brake failure. Some breakaway systems use a cable attached to the brake pedal or lever, while others use a hydraulic system.
The main advantage of a breakaway system is that it provides an additional layer of safety in the event of brake failure, which can be especially important in high-speed racing or other extreme driving situations.
Overall, breakaway and brake kits are significant upgrades for those who demand more from their vehicle’s braking system. Whether you’re a racer or simply looking for an extra layer of safety, these upgrades can help ensure your car is equipped to handle any situation on the road or track.
Breakaway Replacement Parts
Caravan and Trailer Onboard Battery Kit
An independent, designated, or separate breakaway battery system is not required.
In other words, the caravan or camper’s onboard 12V battery is the breakaway battery, provided it can supply 12 VDC to the electric brakes.
Further, the onboard caravan battery will exceed the minimum requirement and have a capacity equal to or greater than that of the smaller unit.
The breakaway switch activates the trailer brake system for 15 minutes if the trailer is detached from the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.
The price also includes a rubber boot that fits over the breakaway switch. The rubber boot reduces or helps prevent water ingress.
Breakaway kit testing.
- Connect the wires to the terminals. When fully charged, a green light glows.
- Remove the pin and notice a sound coming from your magnets
- You may hear a hum or a tick as the electric magnet sticks to the inside of the drum
- When energised, check the Voltage at the battery
- If the Voltage is under 12 volts, the battery is outputting less than 12 V, or you have a voltage drop.
- If voltage loss exists, increase the cable size to the brakes to 4mm or 5mm.
Increasing the cable size reduces voltage loss and restores Voltage to 12 VDC.
How do I tell when the battery needs to be replaced?
You need to replace your breakaway battery when you cannot get a green light on your control panel.
In Australia, the test button must indicate
- Full Battery Power is Available.
- Battery Charging.
- Battery flat
This contrasts with America, where there is no requirement for test lights.
If your battery does not charge, then it needs replacing.
Shorten the breakaway switch lanyard for effective braking when your caravan is on its safety chains.
Finally, all trailers weighing over 2000kg require a breakaway system.
Frequently Asked Questions: 12V Tandem Breakaway Kit
What You SHOULD Do (Do’s)
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Test before every trip: Press the built-in battery indicator button to verify the charge status before towing.
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Cross the safety chains: Ensure your trailer safety chains are crossed beneath the coupler, independent of the breakaway cable.
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Mount securely: Fix the breakaway switch firmly to the trailer frame, ensuring the pin points directly toward the tow vehicle.
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Keep it charged: Wire the kit to your tow vehicle’s 12V auxiliary line so the battery charges automatically while driving.
What You SHOULD NOT Do (Don’ts)
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Don’t use as a parking brake: Never leave the pull-pin out for extended periods; it will drain the battery and melt the brake magnets.
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Don’t fasten to the hitch ball: Never loop the breakaway cable over the tow ball or chain loops; attach it to a secure frame point on the tow vehicle.
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Don’t let the cable drag: Avoid letting the lanyard drag on the ground or become too tight, which can cause accidental engagement during sharp turns.
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Don’t ignore the battery’s age: Do not rely on a breakaway battery more than 2–3 years old; replace it regularly to ensure emergency power.
Additional information
| Weight | 3 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 20 × 20 × 20 cm |
Our Service Lifetime Warranty
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
Couplemate™ is a manufacturer and vendor of high-quality towing, trailer, and caravan components. Couplemate™ Core Goods and Custom Work are guaranteed to be free of defects for the service lifetime of the product when used as intended.
Warranties are non-transferrable and Couplemate™ requires satisfactory proof of purchase prior to issuing a remedy. The full Couplemate™ Warranty Policy can be found in the Terms & Conditions: Section 8 – Consumer Guarantees & Warranty.
Warranties are in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. If something is wrong with your order, please contact our team.
60-Day Returns
After 60 years of experience, we know that life has its unpredictable moments.
All Couplemate™ orders (online, over the phone, or in-store) have a 60 day period for change-of-mind returns and exchanges. There are some items that can’t be returned and some returns may incur a 15% restocking fee.
You can view our full policy for change-of-mind returns here.
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