CURT 52040 Soft-Trac 1 Breakaway Kit with Charger Installation Guide
- June 3, 2024
- Curt
Table of Contents
52040 Soft-Trac 1 Breakaway Kit with Charger
Installation Guide
INSTALLATION MANUAL
52040
52040 Soft-Trac 1 Breakaway Kit with Charger
Level of Difficulty Easy
Parts List 1 Breakaway switch 1 Battery case 1 Battery charger 1 Battery, 12V
5Ah gel cell 4 Self-tapping screw with hex head washer, 1/4″-14 x 3″ 4 Flat
washer, 5/16″ 4 Nylock nut, 5/16″ 2 U-bolt, 5/16″
Parts List
1 Breakaway switch
1 Battery case
1 Battery charger
1 Battery, 12V 5Ah gel cell
4 Self-tapping screw with hex head washer, 1/4″-14 x 3″
4 Flat washer, 5/16″
4 Nylock nut, 5/16″
2 U-bolt, 5/16″
Tools Required
None
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Battery Charging
If the system measures voltage less than 14V, the charging circuit will
provide maximum charging current to a 12V 5Ah gel cell battery until the
battery is fully charged to 14V. During the operation, the system provides a
trickle charge to maintain battery voltage.
When battery voltage is under 6V, relay K1 will not activate when switch S1 is
activated and the whole tester circuit will have no power and will not
activate either the green or red LED. This will indicate a dead battery.
This breakaway kit is designed to activate the trailer’s electric brakes if
the trailer should disconnect while towing, bringing the trailer to a safe
stop. Breakaway kits are required when towing trailers of 3,000 lbs. GTW or
greater.
Note: Your trailer must be equipped with electrical brakes in order to
use this kit.
WARNING
Never exceed the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended towing capacity.
In order to avoid severe damage to the tow vehicle’s electric brake
controller, disconnect the trailer connector from the tow vehicle prior to
testing the breakaway system.
Product Photo
CAUTION
Do not attach the breakaway switch cable to mounting hooks, trailer safety
chains or the trailer ball.
NOTICE
Before you begin installation, read all instructions thoroughly.
Proper tools will improve the quality of installation and reduce the time
required.
To help prevent damage to the product or vehicle, refer to the specified
torque specifications when securing hardware during the installation process.
Maintenance
Prior to each use, check the system’s battery for operating voltage. Check
that the breakaway switch cables are not damaged from dragging on the ground
and that they can move freely.
Check the breakaway system periodically to ensure proper and secure
connections.
Open and / or short circuits may result in a no-brake situation.
Test the breakaway by pulling firmly on the cable of the breakaway switch.
The battery will activate the brakes. Note: Do not use this kit as a parking
brake.
Ensure battery is charged prior to each use.
WIRING DIAGRAM
Step 1 – Mounting
Position the breakaway switch on the tongue of the trailer so that it allows
the cable to reach the tow vehicle’s trailer hitch safety chain eyelets. This
is critical for proper engagement of switch.
Identify a suitable mounting location and drill a 9/32″ hole in the trailer
frame to mount the breakaway switch. Use the provided hardware to mount the
switch to the trailer Note: Use caution when drilling the hole, making
sure there are no wires or other objects behind the drilling surface. Do not
to over-tighten the bolt so the breakaway switch can pivot.
Find a suitable location on the trailer frame to mount the battery case.
Mount in a location that it does not interfere with the switch’s lanyard.
Step 2 – Wiring
Connect one of the black wires to the breakaway battery’s positive (+)
terminal.
Splice the other black wire to the blue wire leading to the trailer brakes.
Note: The blue wire should show 12V positive when the vehicle brakes are
applied.
Step 3 – Wiring
Splice yellow wire on breakaway box to trailer 12V auxiliary power lead.
Splice white wire of the breakaway box to the white ground wire coming from
the trailer side connector.
Prior to Towing
Prior to each use, check the system’s battery for operating voltage.
Check that the breakaway switch cables are not damaged from dragging on the
ground and that they can move freely.
Check the breakaway system periodically to ensure proper and secure
connections. Open and / or short circuits may result in a no-brake situation.
Test the breakaway by pulling firmly on the cable of the breakaway switch. The
battery will activate the brakes.
Note: Do not use this kit as a parking brake. Ensure battery is charged
prior to each use.
CAUTION
Do not attach the breakaway switch cable to mounting hooks, trailer safety
chains or the trailer ball.
WARNING
In order to avoid severe damage to the tow vehicle’s electric brake
controller, disconnect the trailer connector from the tow vehicle prior to
testing the breakaway system.
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