2011 Fleetwood cougar, 2008 F250 Diesel. Been traveling very dirty, dusty and sometimes muddy roads in Canada/Alaska (Top of the Road highway for one.) Today, for the first time, a warning message came up - "wiring fault on trailer". It comes on for minute or so, then goes off for awhile. The output/gain module shows that I still have trailer brakes. Though every once in a while it goes red and out for a second or two - but I still have trailer brakes and lights. Any suggestions??One suggestion was that the socket into the truck was dry and to try putting some Vaseline on the socket.I'm in Valdez, AK and will not be near any repair facilities for more than a week. Nothing here in Valdez to assist.

Did that on my 08 Ford from day one. Went to no end of Ford dealers and trailer places looking for a fix. Eventually I replaced the Ford built in brake controller with an aftermarket and no problems after that. Good luck on your quest. I think my problem was related to the trailer hydraulic.electric brakes but if yours are just std trailer brakes, not sure what could be the cause.

See if you can find an electronics supply house. With all the marine radios and bush aircraft up there you should find something.Get a can of spray contact cleaner. Spray He== out of the plug and the socket.On edit: any radio repair shop should have some you could "borrow".

DiElectric grease can be bought at most auto parts stores. It will help make contact and keep out moisture and dirt.

Hi all, thanks much for your experiences and recommendations. Will pick up contact spray cleaner tomorrow - if they have it here in Valdez. lol I'm sure they do.

If it is electrical brakes, I would carefully check all connections at the wheels. Might be a loose wire connector. Good luck.Catfish

wiring fault on trailer | Good Sam Community

netjam
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
Did that on my 08 Ford from day one. Went to no end of Ford dealers and trailer places looking for a fix. Eventually I replaced the Ford built in brake controller with an aftermarket and no problems after that. Good luck on your quest. I think my problem was related to the trailer hydraulic.electric brakes but if yours are just std trailer brakes, not sure what could be the cause.
Allworth
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2014
See if you can find an electronics supply house. With all the marine radios and bush aircraft up there you should find something.

Get a can of spray contact cleaner. Spray He== out of the plug and the socket.

On edit: any radio repair shop should have some you could "borrow".
avvidclif1
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
DiElectric grease can be bought at most auto parts stores. It will help make contact and keep out moisture and dirt.
funpro
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
Hi all, thanks much for your experiences and recommendations. Will pick up contact spray cleaner tomorrow - if they have it here in Valdez. lol I'm sure they do.
j2catfish
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
If it is electrical brakes, I would carefully check all connections at the wheels. Might be a loose wire connector. Good luck.
Catfish
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 03, 2014
The brake wires that cross over inside your axles can eventually wear through their insulation and intermittently short to ground.
shadows4
Explorer III
Jul 03, 2014
ScottG wrote:
The brake wires that cross over inside your axles can eventually wear through their insulation and intermittently short to ground.

X2
fpresto
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
Others have it right. Most RV manufacturers run the wires down one side and then use the axle to get to the other side. They don't put the wires in a wire wrap and the inside of the axel is not polished. When the wires wear and bounce around you get intermittent shorts. Very common issue.
funpro
Explorer
Jul 05, 2014
Thanks for the additional replies - will crawl under and check as soon as the rain stops. We're in Valdez.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Jul 05, 2014
On the wires traveling thru the axle. I had the same issue on my flat bed. So one day I was laying under there and started tugging on the wires that run thru the axle. i pulled out a bunch of slack, scratched my head, checked the controller and it was happy. I zip tied the excess wire that was stuffed in the axle in a neat little ball and all has been well for a few years now. :R