Best Trailer Breakaway Kits
Compare complete electric-brake breakaway systems by charger design, battery access, mounting method and maintenance needs.
Compare Current OptionsA breakaway system is a last-resort safety circuit, not a towing accessory to select on price alone. A properly matched switch, battery, enclosure and charging method must work together after the trailer disconnects. The distinctions below focus on the components you actually maintain.
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01 Quick picks by trailer need
Each selection solves a different installation or inspection problem; none overrides trailer-specific instructions.
Best for owners who need a conventional complete replacement system with an integrated charging path.
Useful for frequently used trailers when access to a quick status indication encourages routine inspection.
Fits owners who prefer a top-opening battery compartment and compatible bracket mounting.
Consider it when the trailer axle configuration and mounting arrangement align with the manufacturer instructions.
02 Breakaway kit comparison
The table separates battery, charger and enclosure configuration without implying that the kits are interchangeable.
| Kit | Battery | Charging | Enclosure |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURT Soft-Trac 1 #52040 | 12V 5Ah gel-cell battery | Charger included | Side-load lockable case |
| CURT Push-to-Test #52044 | 12V 5Ah battery | Built-in charger | Top-load push-to-test case |
| CURT Soft-Trac 2 #52028 | 12V 5Ah battery | Charger included | Top-load bracket case |
| Tekonsha Shur-Set III #2028 | 12V 5Ah battery | Multi-stage charger | A-frame or post mount |
03 Which kit fits your setup?
Use the manufacturer part number to match the exact variant. Similar-looking battery boxes can have different chargers or mounting provisions.
CURT Soft-Trac 1 #52040
Best for owners who need a conventional complete replacement system with an integrated charging path.
What stands out: CURT documents a charger, 48-inch lanyard and bolt-on case for electric-brake trailers with up to three axles.
Who it suits: Best for owners who need a conventional complete replacement system with an integrated charging path.
Ownership tradeoff: Confirm a mounting spot for its side-access battery case.
Check PriceCURT Push-to-Test #52044
Useful for frequently used trailers when access to a quick status indication encourages routine inspection.
What stands out: The CURT catalog identifies a top-load case with battery-test indicators and a built-in charging circuit.
Who it suits: Useful for frequently used trailers when access to a quick status indication encourages routine inspection.
Ownership tradeoff: Check clearance to open the top of the case.
Check PriceCURT Soft-Trac 2 #52028
Fits owners who prefer a top-opening battery compartment and compatible bracket mounting.
What stands out: CURT identifies the Soft-Trac 2 configuration as a top-load battery box with mounting bracket and charger.
Who it suits: Fits owners who prefer a top-opening battery compartment and compatible bracket mounting.
Ownership tradeoff: Check bracket location and cable routing before drilling or fastening.
Check PriceTekonsha Shur-Set III #2028
Consider it when the trailer axle configuration and mounting arrangement align with the manufacturer instructions.
What stands out: Tekonsha catalog specifies its 2028 kit for electric-brake trailers with one through four axles, with a 2018 case, 2023 battery, 2010-P switch and 2024-07 charger.
Who it suits: Consider it when the trailer axle configuration and mounting arrangement align with the manufacturer instructions.
Ownership tradeoff: Verify charging input and switch wiring against the actual trailer.
Check Price04 Seven installation and safety checks
Work through these before buying or installing any emergency breakaway system.
- Confirm the brake type: These kits actuate electric trailer brakes. A trailer with hydraulic surge brakes needs its own compatible breakaway arrangement.
- Check applicable law: Requirements depend on jurisdiction, trailer weight and configuration; confirm rules before towing rather than relying on a universal threshold.
- Match battery and axle needs: Use the kit maker’s axle-rating and battery-capacity guidance for the actual number of electric-brake axles.
- Choose a secure mounting position: Leave access to the battery box, avoid moving jack hardware and protect the enclosure from spray and impact.
- Route the cable independently: Attach the switch lanyard to a suitable tow-vehicle anchor separate from the ball, chains and hitch components, following the maker’s instructions.
- Wire charging correctly: Use the supplied charger wiring plan and appropriate protection; do not directly connect an incompatible charge circuit to the small breakaway battery.
- Test before towing: Inspect battery condition and perform the maker’s functional test with the trailer electrical connector disconnected when instructed; restore the switch pin afterward.
05 Choose by maintenance workflow
Start with the brakes, not the battery box. Identify electric versus surge brakes and confirm how many axles are braked. Next check the tongue layout: top-load boxes need lid clearance; side-load cases need side access. Then choose whether the charger and status indicator are included. A battery-test light is a convenience, not proof that the switch and brake wiring function correctly.
Replacement versus complete install: If the trailer already has a healthy battery and charger, confirm whether a switch-only repair is appropriate. If several parts are weathered or undocumented, a complete matched kit can simplify maintenance, but it still requires correct wiring and inspection.
06 Frequently asked questions
Can I use a breakaway kit on a trailer without electric brakes?
Not these electric-brake kits. They rely on the trailer brake magnets and a compatible battery circuit; hydraulic surge-brake trailers use a different system.
Does the tow vehicle power the brakes during a separation?
The trailer-mounted breakaway battery is intended to provide emergency brake power after separation. A depleted battery undermines the system.
Is a built-in charger necessary?
It is convenient but not universal. A kit without a charger needs a suitable separately designed charging and maintenance arrangement.
How is a breakaway switch different from a brake controller?
A controller modulates normal braking while connected; the breakaway switch triggers emergency trailer braking if the trailer separates.
Can I use the breakaway switch as a parking brake?
No. CURT explicitly warns against using the kit as a parking brake; use suitable chocks and parking procedures.
What should I inspect before each trip?
Check battery charge, switch pin seating, cable condition, wiring security and mounting. Follow the manufacturer’s test sequence and local requirements.
07 The right kit is the one you maintain
For most straightforward electric-brake trailer retrofits, start by checking CURT #52040 against the trailer and mounting space. Consider #52044 for convenient status checks, #52028 for a compatible top-load bracket arrangement, or Tekonsha #2028 when its documented axle and charging configuration is the closer match. Verify the installation manual, keep the battery charged, and test the system before towing.