When you pull the break away pin 12 volts is applied to the brake magnets, so the answer is yes.
Do not leave it connected for long.
You can trace the wires from the break away switch to in side the battery box and put a jumper across this will by pass the switch, then see if the brakes are applied.

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Rich
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(215TL) - 1995 21' TowLite
(2209T) - 2009 22' TowLite
99 Ford Explorer 4DR 4X4

The breakaway switch has its own battery normally only when the trailer does not have a battery.

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Great Wife, Joyce
2010 2310H Hi-Lo
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU

HI Jason, Checking the battery with a volt meter is not a reliable check. An almost dead battery will show 12v if not under a load. If you can lower the top and then raise the top with that battery then its good. The best check would be to take what you think is a fully charged battery to a auto parts store and let them test it under a load. I have replaced 3 breakaway switches in my many years of rving so these do go bad. Since the power from the breakaway switch and the power from the brake controller are connected together at a terminal near the front of the rv and then to each wheel the problem is most likely between the battery (power) the switch to the common terminal. As noted before the magnets are a ware item and it is possible all 4
could be bad, or somehow have burnt out. Again as noted before no need for a separate battery, the onboard battery does the job. You do not need a new harness and controller to do these checks. You have all you need with the battery and switch. It would not hurt anything to apply 12v to the magnets directly. A badly pitted switch could show continuity and pass som voltage but the high resistance will usually overheat the switch and it will melt down. The switches are so cheap I would most likely replace it. Make sure you know the battery and switch are good before spending a lot of time looking elsewhere. Keep working with us and you will get this fixed.

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Jim L & Faye
2805C
2003 Silvarado diesel crew cab
central Virginia

Jason you mostly likely you have a Dexter axle and you can find the owners manual here on the forum in the reference library under axle. This will show you how to test the magnets. If you should have a AL-KO axle you can find that manual at al-kousa.com. On their home page pull down to owners manuals. Hi-Lo used Dexter on newer trailers but who knows on older ones. The trouble shooting is almost the same on both.

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Jim L & Faye
2805C
2003 Silvarado diesel crew cab
central Virginia

My 95 TowLite has Al-Ko axles.

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Rich
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(215TL) - 1995 21' TowLite
(2209T) - 2009 22' TowLite
99 Ford Explorer 4DR 4X4

Hi everyone. First I want to thank you all for all of the suggestions. Second, I decided to put it up for sale on a whim last night while trying to get this thing going (I'm running out of time to work on it). Third, while trying to wire my TV with the 7-pin harness and brake controller, a couple came along who wanted to purchase, brakes or no brakes.

So, the relationship with the Towlite Hilo was a short one, but it turns out the problem was in the switch, and possibly the battery as well. Thanks to those of you who pointed out that the battery would read around 12v even if nearly dead.

My wife may be unhappy, but I will definitely be searching for another trailer or rv of some sort once I get settled in my new home.


Thanks again so much for the help!!!!

Jason

Sorry you gave up on the Hi-Lo but do understand time getting short. There are plenty of good Hi-Lo's for sale in the lower 48. Have a good trip and thanks for your service. Pass the info on the forum to the new owners.

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Jim L & Faye
2805C
2003 Silvarado diesel crew cab
central Virginia

If it were my family in your situation, I wouldn't be caught dead without a 7 pin plug installed properly on your tow vehicle, that is the first nesesity. then a good brake controller added to your tow vehicle, also a nesesity, sounds like you have a dead trailer battery or corroded connections for your breakaway switch, also, make sure you run 10 gauge or 8 gauge wire from the brake controller to the 7 pin connection and from the tow vehicle battery to the 7 pin (fused)

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robobd
1988 22l
1999 ford f250 7.3 diesel