Trailer E-brakes. Help, cant seem to get working

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 19, 2005

So i got my brake controller, the lights come on telling me its hooked up correclty. I used the factory wire harness, with the harnes the controller came with. Also put the 40 amp fuse in the 1st spot under the hood. When I hit the brakes the ligts come on, and tells me the power lever its givign the trailer, but for the life of me I cant get the tires to lock up. It tells me to use the slide lever until they lock, and set the power just below that level.

Any siggestions? I am assuming the problem is within my trailer not the truck.. maybe im wromg.

Also for what its worth, I am usung a 7 pin - to 6 pin converter on the connection as well, perhaps that is an issue as well??

Any help would be great!

Thanks!!!

MIke

Jailkeeper · November 20, 2005

Some of the 7-6 pin adapters are wired wrong. Could be that is causing your problems. If you've got a test light or voltage meter, make sure you have power at the 7 pin plug on your truck, then plug in the adaptor and make sure you have power there, and that the brake wire on the trailer plugs matches the pin on the truck adaptor plug. (confused yet?)

It's also possible your trailer has a wiring problem or the brake magnets are rusted up.

asilverblazer · November 21, 2005

The drums on the trailer might need tightened, just like on vehicle drum brakes, the star wheel, tighten til it's hard to turn the tires by hand. Have you tried your controller on a trailer you know is working? I had to do that to determine if my truck or trailer had an issue come to find out the trailer brakes were not properly grounded. Sounds like a trailer issue to me.

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 21, 2005

Thanks for your responses

I agree, i dont "Think" its in my wireing..No I have not towed another trailer w/ ebrakes but when i connect the trailer it shows me there is a good connection, I put a test lamp on that signal and its showing power (unless its not wired properly in that adapter... but then would it show a good connection?)

I will look at the adjustments on the drum I guess and go from there..

E brakes are new to me

willieboy · November 22, 2005

Have someone stand by the trailer wheels while you are in the truck. When you slide the lever they should hear those magnets click. If so, then the brakes are getting voltage. If no click, start checking the wiring and that adaptor. Although, if you are showing a connection at the controller, it is not likely a wiring/connection issue. The prodigy(IIRC that is what you have) is very good at trouble shooting itself.

Next you need to check the brake adjustment on the trailer. As mentioned, they can get out of adjustment. I have seen it on several new trailers. The pads are often set loose to get the drums on. Many times they never adjust the brakes properly after assembly.

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 22, 2005

Have someone stand by the trailer wheels while you are in the truck. When you slide the lever they should hear those magnets click. If so, then the brakes are getting voltage. If no click, start checking the wiring and that adaptor. Although, if you are showing a connection at the controller, it is not likely a wiring/connection issue. The prodigy(IIRC that is what you have) is very good at trouble shooting itself.

Next you need to check the brake adjustment on the trailer. As mentioned, they can get out of adjustment. I have seen it on several new trailers. The pads are often set loose to get the drums on. Many times they never adjust the brakes properly after assembly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well its far from new But great info, I will have a deeper look at them this week!!

willieboy · November 22, 2005

Being far from new would really make me look at the brake adjustment, and the actual brakes themselves. If the previous owner pumped grease in the hubs (if he had the bearing buddies or equivalent) everytime he drove the trailer, he may have blown the rear seal and pumped the brakes full of grease. When I serviced my Dad's boat trailer this year (first time he ever had it serviced in ten years!!), the brakes were packed with bearing grease. Cleaned it all up and replaced the pads, Dad's first drive with the trailer and he was blown away by his newly decreased stopping distance... He will learn one of these days the benefits of regular service, LOL.

Anyway, if it is a fairly well used trailer, it is probably time to service the brakes and bearings anyway, so I would make that your holiday weekend event. It should not take you too long, and will make towing a much more pleasant experience.