Brakes don't work

My guess if your brakes have not been used for a long while (if ever) you need to have them inspected and probably replace the assemblies or at least rebuild. You arer in a dry area so maybe they are alright but the drums need to be pulled and a good inpection done.

Tystevens wrote:
What year is your Superduty? If it is of the years that had an available factory integrated brake controller, I would recommend going that route. My '11 F150 has one, and it is the way to go IMO. I don't know off the top of my head the years they were available, but I think I recall seeing them in Superduty trucks as far back as 2005.

Good luck!

^^^^^^^what he says^^^^^^^

also you need to have a charged 12 volt battery on your trailer connected to the break away cable- switch for it work

What year is your Superduty? If it is of the years that had an available factory integrated brake controller, I would recommend going that route. My '11 F150 has one, and it is the way to go IMO. I don't know off the top of my head the years they were available, but I think I recall seeing them in Superduty trucks as far back as 2005.

Good luck!

Duckdna wrote:
Thanks everyone. I am pulling the trailer with a Ford F-250 Super Duty with a V10. I am going to have the controller professionally installed before I move it anywhere. And thank you everyone for advice. It is greatly appreciated.

Be sure brake controller is placed somewhere convenient. But, not at/near your knees. The vehicle knee bolster is designed to assist in an accident. Placing a brake controller in the way will destroy your kneecaps. However, you need immediate access to the brake controller in case of emergency. There are situations where it could be necessary to manually activate trailer brakes while not touching tow vehicle service brakes.

Thanks everyone. I am pulling the trailer with a Ford F-250 Super Duty with a V10. I am going to have the controller professionally installed before I move it anywhere. And thank you everyone for advice. It is greatly appreciated.

I would suggest you not tow it ANYWHERE with out a brake controller. Take your truck to a RV Dealer and have a Brake controller installed. As mentioned. Prodigy is top of the line.
After you get a Brake Controller, Then, and only then tow your TT to be inspected.

Duckdna wrote:
Thanks for the info Bionic Man. I am definitely going to take it into a professional to have everything looked at. The last thing I want is to have an unhappy ending to a happy trip. Thanks again for the reply and advice.

Before you hitch up without a brake controller or break-away switch, what are you towing with? Are you within weight limits?

If the trailer has electric brakes you need a brake controller. It mounts to your tow vehicle and provides electrical current to the trailer brakes to activate them. They are set up so that the quicker the stop, the harder the trailer brakes activate. Check out etrailer for info and suggestions. And yes, there should be a brakeaway cable. It attaches to your tow vehicle and activates the trailer brakes in the event the trailer becomes separated from the tow vehicle.
Your trailer might have surge brakes which operate differently. They are hydraulic and activate when the tow vehicle slows down and the trailers pushing on the tow vehicle activates them. They will have something similar to a cars master brake cylinder.

Thanks for the info Bionic Man. I am definitely going to take it into a professional to have everything looked at. The last thing I want is to have an unhappy ending to a happy trip. Thanks again for the reply and advice.

Look into a Prodigy.

brake

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you are unaware of brake controllers, you may consider taking the trailer into have someone do a walk through with you to make sure it is safe to tow. Check things like the age of the tires, conditions of the axles/brakes/wheel bearing/lighting/hitch set up, etc.

Good luck with your journey.