Anone understand elec trailer brakes?

[Don87]

I just spent two (more) hours on this and figured it out. Well, maybe not figured it out but it works and I'm not sure I understand why.
There is no question all four wheels locked up in reverse and in reverse only. We tried everything, including disconnecting and reconnecting and no dice. I've got two days in this.

Then we found on the internet for the older---2005-- Reese unit that the output control MUST be set first and then the sync control second. Since we had done everything else we tried that and still no dice. Then we disconnected the trailer again and THEN moved the output control and then the sync control second.Hooked everything up and it worked. Buzzed around the yard and we could not get the brakes to lock up no matter what.

I have no idea what happened and not sure if it will work tomorrow but that sequence stopped the lockup. I'll unhook and hook up again and see what happens but I am blaming the unit and some sort of internal problem. There is no other option.
The trailer was 100% wired right and everything is in showroom condition. What else? Remember it worked fine for six years.
This is the worst outcome since now I don't know exactly what happened and don't have a definitive answer. Maybe I should change the brake unit just for the heck of it?
Beats me but wish me luck the next time I get to 70 MPH with the trailer. Thanks to all and let's hope this helps someone in the future.

There is also the possibility that the electronics got 'kinda frozen'....by that I mean, that if they aren't used for a while, they kinda take on a mind of their own.

I've had it happen with radios quite often.

Usually, starting over like you did corrects the problem.

Or, maybe it was Egon's gremlins just visiting:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[crazyal]

I just spent two (more) hours on this and figured it out. Well, maybe not figured it out but it works and I'm not sure I understand why.
There is no question all four wheels locked up in reverse and in reverse only. We tried everything, including disconnecting and reconnecting and no dice. I've got two days in this.

Then we found on the internet for the older---2005-- Reese unit that the output control MUST be set first and then the sync control second. Since we had done everything else we tried that and still no dice. Then we disconnected the trailer again and THEN moved the output control and then the sync control second.
Hooked everything up and it worked. Buzzed around the yard and we could not get the brakes to lock up no matter what.

I have no idea what happened and not sure if it will work tomorrow but that sequence stopped the lockup. I'll unhook and hook up again and see what happens but I am blaming the unit and some sort of internal problem. There is no other option.
The trailer was 100% wired right and everything is in showroom condition. What else? Remember it worked fine for six years.
This is the worst outcome since now I don't know exactly what happened and don't have a definitive answer. Maybe I should change the brake unit just for the heck of it?
Beats me but wish me luck the next time I get to 70 MPH with the trailer. Thanks to all and let's hope this helps someone in the future.

If you don't mind spending the money I think I would upgrade to a nicer unit. They are self adjusting so nothing really to play with plus it will tell you if your trailer comes unplugged (much nicer that stepping on the brakes and feeling the trailer pushing you).

 

[sixdogs]

Aaauuuggghhhh! The drama continues.
Visualize a primal scream because they locked up again late yesterday after I thought all was OK. So---just for chuckles I called the company but got a guy short on the ability to communicate.
It's time to start replacing stuff and the brake controller unit goes first.

I'm thinking of another Reese since it will simply be plug-in for me and the unit comes with a mounting bracket. Has good reviews.
Amazon.com: Reese Towpower 74378 Pilot Brake Controller: Automotive

There are Tekonsha units as well but the Prodigy is $125 and you need a wiring connector and mounting bracket. Here's.
Amazon.com: Tekonsha Engineering 90885 Prodigy Brake Control: Automotive

There is also this less expensive Tekonsha unit for $58 that is tempting.
Amazon.com: Tekonsha 9030 Voyager Electronic Brake Control: Automotive

It seems impractical to spend a lot to tow a small tractor or hot rod around a couple times a year. Is this wise thinking?
Anyway, I'll order today.

 

[jwstewar]

I had two of the Voyagers (still have one that I removed from my truck and have considered putting it on my tractor) and disliked both of them. Now have a Prodigy and a P3 and both are great. I didn't have to buy an extra bracket for any of the P3s or Prodigys that I have installed. It came with both a pocket to make it removable and a bracket to use up under the dash. My '99 Chevy truck came with a harness that I wired into the brake controller or I could have bought a plug and play harness. My 2005 Trailblazer and 2008 Suburban had the wires up under the dash to wire directly into the brake controller. Very fast and easy and didn't have to mess with an extra harness.

 

[forester2]

I had a lock up problem that drove me nuts too a couple years ago. It also did not occurr all the time. It turned out to be ONE stray wire strand in the male plug crossing terminals.

 

[Western]

SixDogs, My brother and I had the exact same problem as you have. My brother has a 16' general purpose trailer at the shop. I went to "borrow" it and he say's "It's messed up!, the brakes lock up when you shift to reverse". I figured OK, I have a different truck. I hook up and sure enough they locked up in reverse, I took it anyway.

I did my 32 mile excursion and when I got back it was the same. We tried 4 different trucks, 2 with factory wired Brake Controllers, and 2 with professionally installed controllers, so for us that ruled out the vehicle wiring. I replaced the trailer end plug with a new one and it hasn't happened since.

We found out later, that a guy that had "borrowed" it, had removed our trailer plug (7-way) and put on a 4 pin plug, didn't bother to use one of our 8 adapters..duh..

I think it was in the Male plug, but it definitely wasn't on the truck side in our case, I am not even sure what it was in the plug, but suspect he crossed or miss wired the plug. I was a little "aggravated" when I cut off the plug and it got "lost" so no autopsy was done..sorry.

 

[DJ54]

I had an eyelet loosen and swivel over from the brakelight connection and make contact with the trailer brake connection in the female part of the plug on the truck. When you just touch the brakes, WHAM...!! Full braking power...

Do you have backup lights on your trailer..?? I have seen some with them on them. Possibly the lead for that in your plug is making contact. If not, then in an adapter, or somewhere in the electrical circuit, those two are making contact.

And not that I'm an electrical expert, but it seems that if the backup lights activate the brakes, then pushing the hand control, on the brake controller, may light up your backup lights on the truck, when not in reverse... Just a thought...

The only other thing I can think of, is posibly the ground for your backup lights may be bad, and somehow seeking ground through your trailer brakes. Stranger things have happened...., LOL....

 

[ovrszd]

This is a great thread. sorry it's at sixdogs expense. I'm very anxious to hear if changing the controller fixes the problem. I'm beginning to think it's in the trailer wiring as well.

No offense meant here, but I wonder how many mice call this trailer home??

reason I ask is I recently bought a used GN trailer that had to have been home to a large city of mice. Every exposed wire had been nibbled on. Because this problem seems to come and go I'd think it's a sporadic wiring short.

Again, I'm anxious to hear the end result.

 

[Mike058]

I guess I need some learnin'. Use to be, the magnet was attached to a lever. When electricity magnetized the magnet, it stuck to the wheel and that pulled the lever that spread the shoes out to push on the drum. If the wheels are going in reverse, the magnet is going to push the lever the wrong way and push the shoes away from the drum. Do they work differently now? I'm pass middle age now, and haven't had to mess with trailer brakes for a while and things change all the time. I'd pull the wheels and check out the mechanical end before investing in a new controller. But that's just me.

 

[sixdogs]

This is a great thread. sorry it's at sixdogs expense. I'm very anxious to hear if changing the controller fixes the problem. I'm beginning to think it's in the trailer wiring as well.

No offense meant here, but I wonder how many mice call this trailer home??

reason I ask is I recently bought a used GN trailer that had to have been home to a large city of mice. Every exposed wire had been nibbled on. Because this problem seems to come and go I'd think it's a sporadic wiring short.

Again, I'm anxious to hear the end result.

Mice, yes...nibbling on my wires, no. Already checked that.
Remember, too, that it now occasionally locks up in either direction.
Am waiting for new brake controller to arrive.