Holy Crap!! No trailer brakes.....

[Todd_C]

I posted in the NH forum a few weeks ago about having cracked fenders on my TC40. Well, New Holland decided to replace my fenders and add support brackets even though my tractor was out of warranty. I will just have to pay for labor to have them installed. I felt this was fair.

I sold my 07 Dodge 5.9 CTD a few months ago and replaced it with a Toyota Tundra. Today was the first time that I have towed with my Tundra. I hooked up my 18' foot trailer and loaded my TC 40 and headed out to Boone Tractor in Salem, VA (25 mile trip). Dad and I were surprised at how the Tundra did. It towed the load as well as my Dodge 5.9 CTD. It easily kept the rig at 55mph and and pulled Catawba Mountain easily. As I started the 2-3 mile trip down the mountain, I put the transmission in 4th and allowed the engine to hold down the speed. Once at the bottom of the mountain I drove down Rt 311 on level ground for 3 miles until I reached the T intersection. I applied the brakes and I noticed that the trailer brakes did not engage. I looked down and the light on my brake controller was out. I was taking it easy, so I had plenty of time to stop. I stopped right down the road in Salem.

I pulled over and observed that the 7 pin connector came out of the plug-in. The connector was gone and all that remained of the connector was bare wires. I was 3 miles away from the dealership and I had to navigate a 2 mile section of 25-35mph roadway and about .5 mile section of a 55mph zone on Rt. 460. I pulled into the tractor dealer without a problem.

I am impressed with the Tundra. My old 2001 Siverado 5.3 had a hard time pulling the exact same rig. I dropped the tractor off and got another connector and headed home. The 4.30 gearing, 5.7 liter engine, and the 6 speed transmission is an awesome combination. The Tundra really did manage the load just as well as my Dodge 2500 CTD. I still miss the Cummins sound and the shake when it is turned off, but I don't miss the $3.50 price for a gallon of diesel.

I know that I was truly lucky that nothing bad happened. The entire matter is my fault as I failed to seat the connecter. It was cold this morning with a light dusting of snow on the ground at my house and I got in a hurry. One little oversight could have been a disaster. Please, learn from my stupidity.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Glad it all went ok.

Easy fix.

Chris

 

[archerynut]

I have a 2010 Tundra and I love it. I need to get trailer brake controller, any recommendations?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a 2010 Tundra and I love it. I need to get trailer brake controller, any recommendations?

MaxBreak. Simply the best. MaxBrake™ - Hydraulic over Electric Variable Brake Controller

Works like the Ford and GM factory brake controller. Not sure about the Dodge one yet, have not seen a truck equipped.

All the others are just basically the same. Some have more features, ect.

Chris

 

[brandoro]

I have an '08 Tundra 5.7 DC long box. I put a Tekonsha brake controller in, wired up easy to the plug supplied with the truck and I'm very pleased with how it works. Smooth and progressive:thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

I applied the brakes and I noticed that the trailer brakes did not engage. I looked down and the light on my brake controller was out. I was taking it easy, so I had plenty of time to stop. I stopped right down the road in Salem.

I pulled over and observed that the 7 pin connector came out of the plug-in. The connector was gone and all that remained of the connector was bare wires. I was 3 miles away from the dealership and I had to navigate a 2 mile section of 25-35mph roadway and about .5 mile section of a 55mph zone on Rt. 460. I pulled into the tractor dealer without a problem.

.

similar happened to me. few years ago i was hauling a tractor home from texas to fl.. mid drive I hit a black aligator.. didn't think much about it. 5 minutes later came up on traffic accident and made a panic stop. JUST barely made it. aligator had pulled the plug out and it was rubbing the road. had ground it down at an angle, one connector was 80% gone... but amazingly still had connection.

on the side of the road I electrical taped it to fit the plug snugly then zip tied it in. it made it the rest of the 21 hr drive home, where I replaced it.

since then I ALWAYS zip tie my plugs into my sockets. I carry a pack of 100 ties.. cost like 2$ at harbor freight... I keep them in the tow vehicle tool box. I don't care if i have to use 2-3 on a trip, if I'm dropping a trailer or not.. like at a motel for parking..e tc. it's worth it knowing the plug won't fall out.

I also zip tie 's' hook safety chains, and bumper pull latches that don't have a place for a pin lock.

few pennies each way on a trip sure adds some piece of mind!

glad you were ok. hope others read this and take notice.

soundguy

 

[crazyal]

You can add me to the ground trailer connector plug club. One fine spring day I was a little to eager and not enough "pay attention" and didn't realize that winter took it's toll on the spring loaded door on the truck side connector. Well the door spring didn't work so it didn't lock the plug into the connector.

I have a Tekonsha Prodigy controller with and LCD display that warns you when the plug is not connected. Of course it took a few miles before I realized and now have a nice flat spot on the 7 pin trailer connector to remind me. It still works but the bump that the door uses to keep it connected is gone so I use a bungee to keep it connected.

 

[mojoinco]

I second the Maxbrake.

A number of controllers have the self diagnosis for wiring issues (as mentioned, Maxbrake and the Prodigy are two). A very nice feature.


Didn't know the Toyota was geared so low. Standard gears, or optional? Bet your Chevy wasn't geared as low (likely couldn't get a 1500 geared that low anyhow).

 

[not2old]

I had a problem with my trailer brakes on one trip over the Coquihalla highway which is well know for it's hills. It later turned out to be a dead short, but there is no service on this highway and I (stupidly) wasn't carrying any tools. My truck brakes work quite adequately (7000lbs 5th.) with this trailer at lower speeds so I was driving considerably slower on downhills and a little slower elsewhere. I didn't tell my wife about the problem until we got home. She said" I was wondering why it seemed to be such a relaxing trip"

 

[not2old]

MaxBreak. Simply the best. MaxBrake - Hydraulic over Electric Variable Brake Controller

Works like the Ford and GM factory brake controller. Not sure about the Dodge one yet, have not seen a truck equipped.

All the others are just basically the same. Some have more features, ect.

Chris

I'm going to get one of these if it will work with my ancient truck. I haven't been happy with several controllers I've had since the one on my 78 F350 that hooked into the hydraulics. I was told they wouldn't work with anti-lock brakes.