6 Best Trailer Breakaway Systems For Safety On Hilly Farms For Peace of Mind
Towing on hilly farms requires a failsafe. Our review of the 6 best trailer breakaway systems ensures your load stops safely for total peace of mind.
The sound of a hitch pin shearing on a steep, gravel farm lane is a sound you never want to hear. One second you’re hauling a trailer of firewood down from the woodlot, the next you’re watching a thousand pounds of potential disaster roll away on its own. On a hilly farm, gravity is a relentless force, and a reliable trailer breakaway system is the only thing standing between a normal chore and a catastrophe.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Hilly Terrain Demands a Reliable Breakaway Kit
Towing on flat ground is one thing; navigating the slopes, ruts, and tight turns of a farm is another entirely. Every incline multiplies the forces acting on your hitch and safety chains. A sudden stop or a jolt from a pothole can put an incredible strain on your equipment, making a trailer separation a very real possibility.
When a trailer breaks free on a hill, it doesn’t just coast to a stop. It accelerates. A runaway trailer loaded with hay bales, a water tank, or even a small tractor becomes an unstoppable force, threatening fences, buildings, livestock, and people. A breakaway system is your last line of defense, designed to automatically apply the trailer’s electric brakes the moment it disconnects from your truck.
This isn’t just about protecting your own property. It’s a matter of fundamental responsibility. Many states legally require a functioning breakaway system on trailers over a certain weight. More importantly, it provides peace of mind, knowing you have a failsafe in place to prevent a simple equipment failure from turning into a life-altering accident.
Tekonsha Push-to-Test: Top All-Around Performer
The biggest weakness of any breakaway system is a dead battery. The Tekonsha kit solves this with a simple, brilliant feature: a push-to-test button with an LED indicator. Before you even hook up, you can press a button and know instantly if your system is charged and ready.
This feature eliminates the guesswork that plagues older systems. You no longer have to pull the pin and hope to hear the brakes hum, or wonder if the battery died over the winter. For a busy farmer, this quick, confident check saves time and provides an unmatched level of assurance before you start rolling down a steep grade.
Tekonsha is a trusted name in towing, and this kit reflects that reputation. The components are well-sealed against moisture and dust, which is crucial for equipment that lives outdoors. While it may cost a few dollars more than a basic kit, the push-to-test function alone makes it a worthwhile investment for anyone who values safety and simplicity.
CURT Soft-Trac I for All-Weather Farm Durability
CURT’s Soft-Trac I system directly addresses one of the most common failure points: the cable. Instead of a simple straight wire that can drag, fray on gravel, or get snagged on brush, this kit uses a coiled cable. This simple design keeps the cable up and out of the way, dramatically increasing its lifespan and reliability.
The entire unit is built for exposure to the elements. The polymer case won’t rust, and the weather-resistant design protects the battery and charger from rain, mud, and snow. This is a system designed to be mounted on a trailer tongue and left there year-round, which is exactly how most farm trailers are treated.
This kit is a great middle-ground option that combines modern features with rugged construction. It includes a built-in charger that maintains the battery when connected to your tow vehicle and an LED light for basic status checks. It’s a durable, practical choice for a primary farm trailer that sees frequent use in all conditions.
Hopkins Engager: A Trusted and Accessible Option
Sometimes you just need something that works, without any fuss. The Hopkins Engager is that system. It’s one of the most common and accessible kits on the market, and for good reason—it’s a dependable, straightforward product from a brand that has been in the towing game for decades.
Its key feature is a reliable, built-in battery charger that tops off the breakaway battery whenever the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle’s 12-volt power. This helps ensure the battery is ready to go when you need it, preventing the slow discharge that can kill a battery during long periods of storage. It’s a simple, effective way to maintain readiness.
The Hopkins Engager doesn’t have a fancy one-touch test button, but it is easy to install and built to last. It represents a solid value, providing essential safety features without a premium price tag. For someone outfitting a fleet of trailers or looking for a reliable, budget-conscious option, the Engager is a fantastic choice.
Fastway ZIP System: No More Dragging Cables
The Fastway ZIP breakaway system is all about solving a single, frustrating problem: the breakaway cable itself. Traditional cables are a constant source of trouble. They get caught on things, kink, rust, and drag on the ground until they’re frayed and unreliable.
The ZIP system replaces that old-style cable with a coiled version that stays neatly tucked away, stretching when needed and retracting when not. This simple innovation prevents virtually all common cable damage. The bright red, coated cable is also highly visible, making it easy to inspect and connect.
While the innovative cable is the main attraction, the rest of the kit is a solid performer. It includes a lockable, weather-resistant polymer box and a built-in battery charger. If you’ve ever had to replace a breakaway cable or had one fail from damage, the ZIP system is an upgrade that provides immediate, practical benefits.
Bargman Break-Away Kit: Simple and Dependable
Bargman is a classic name in trailer wiring and components, and their breakaway kit is a testament to their philosophy: build it simple, build it strong. There are no fancy LEDs or special features here. It is a rugged, metal box containing a battery, a switch, and the wiring to make it all work.
This is the kind of no-nonsense equipment that appeals to farmers who prioritize durability and ease of repair over bells and whistles. Because of its simple design, it’s easy to understand, install, and troubleshoot if something goes wrong. The heavy-gauge steel box can take a beating, which is a definite plus on a working farm.
The Bargman kit is an excellent choice for a secondary or older piece of equipment, like a stock trailer or hay wagon, where you need to add a reliable safety system without overspending. It’s a proven, workhorse design that has been stopping trailers safely for years.
Buyers Products Polymer Kit: Heavy-Duty Choice
When your trailer hauls serious weight like a mini-excavator, a load of logs, or a large water tank, you need a breakaway system that’s as tough as the rest of your gear. The Buyers Products kit is designed for exactly that. Its most notable feature is the heavy-duty polymer case that is virtually indestructible—it won’t rust, dent, or corrode.
This kit is built to commercial-grade standards. It’s designed to withstand the daily abuse of a construction site, which makes it more than tough enough for even the most demanding farm use. It’s a great fit for gooseneck trailers or heavy-duty flatbeds that are expected to work hard every day.
Despite its rugged exterior, it includes modern features like a built-in battery charger and a push-to-test button to verify the battery’s charge. This combination of brawn and smarts makes it an ideal choice for anyone who needs the absolute highest level of durability without sacrificing convenience and safety.
Farm Maintenance for Your Breakaway System
A breakaway system is a critical safety device, not a decoration. It requires regular attention to ensure it will work when you need it most. Ignoring it is like keeping a fire extinguisher with no pressure in it.
Make a habit of performing a few simple checks. Before you tow, especially after the trailer has been sitting for a while, give it a quick inspection.
- Test the Battery: Use the push-to-test button if you have one. If not, pull the pin and listen for the distinct hum of the trailer brakes engaging. You should feel a noticeable drag if you try to move the trailer by hand.
- Inspect the Cable: Look for any signs of rust, fraying, or kinks. Ensure it’s attached securely to both the switch and your tow vehicle.
- Check the Pin: Pull the pin completely out of the switch and reinsert it. It should move smoothly without binding. A little spray of dry lubricant can keep it from seizing up.
- Examine the Wiring: Look for cracked insulation or corroded connections, especially where wires enter the box.
The small sealed lead-acid battery inside the unit is the heart of the system, and it has a finite lifespan. Even with a built-in charger, these batteries typically only last two to three years. Plan on replacing the battery every two years as preventative maintenance. It’s a small price to pay for knowing your last line of defense is fully powered and ready to act.
On a farm with rolling hills and heavy loads, a reliable breakaway system isn’t an optional upgrade; it’s a non-negotiable tool for managing risk. Choosing a quality kit and giving it the small amount of maintenance it needs allows you to focus on the task at hand. That peace of mind is one of the most valuable things you can have.
