trailer brake problem?

[vanoverp]

I will do what Bird suggested and check the voltage at both sides. If I am getting good voltage, I will just replace the assembly.

Thanks so much for all the help!!

Paul

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Based on personal experiences, I'd have to say something like 80% to 90% of trailer electrical issues are ground related. More often than not, ground issues occur where truck meets trailer wiring.... (ie plug(s))

Brakes need to be adjusted correctly as mentioned. Also, once a brake assembly has been "troubled", it will most likely never work as consistantly as those where no problems existed. Magnet and brake shoes get glazed, drums wear unevenly, ect. Sometimes it's best to drop back and punt.....get new components and start off with everything on an equal basis.

 

[JB4310]

I may have confused a few people, so let me try to explain a few things.

By override switch, I meant the same thing you are talking about, a manual switch. I can press mine part of the way down and get partial voltage sent back to the brakes, or I can press it all the way down, sending 100% of the voltage back to the brakes. When I was testing my brakes, that is how I was doing it, I was pressing this button all the way down to make sure I had good brakes on the trailer. One of the wheels locked up, and the other didn't.

Paul

That's not how mine works, not sure if it has anything to do with your problem though.

Does yours have a wheel to adjust controller output? On mine doesn't matter how far I press the manual button it will only apply the braking power set on the dial. Which is how it should be, someone correct me if I'm wrong, that way you can dial in your brake controller for the present load, if it was sending full lock up power all the time the manual button was pressed, I don't think that would be helpful.
Unless of course you had the dial cranked all the way to the max for the test?

JB.

 

[JoelD]

I've had really good luck on ebay buying brake parts, as noted by Chris, you can purchase the entire backing plate set with shoes installed for short money I thinkg I paid about $50 per, for each set.

Joel

 

[vanoverp]

JB, yes I have the adjustment switch on mine. When I was testing, I had it set to send 100 % of the output to the brakes, and then I depressed the manual switch ALL THE WAY DOWN. For all practical purposes, this should have locked up the brakes big time....

paul