Brake controller Problem

I had a similar problem with our brake controller last fall. Check all the wires you can see for cracks and wear. If there is truly a short, it could be anywhere in the system... where the wires go into the axle tubes, inside the brake drums, at the connector, break-away switch, in the truck's wiring, etc.

For my situation... it was the controller. If you have another or a friend has one installed, try it out.

In my search, I tried isolating each axle/drum (by cutting the wires at the axle) and testing it out with my controller. Unfortunately, my short was intermittent and this test didn't get me anywhere. I didn't found a short at the axle tubes as others suggested. I pulled each drum to inspect the wires & magnet for wear... nada.

Finally, in frustration I bought another controller... problem solved.

Happy Camping!
John.

My problem came from a broken wire in the wheel.

I have a Prodigy and had this problem
If the wire runs through the tube axle it has worn the insulation off of the wire. This is because the wires are floating in the tube axle rubbing off the insulation causing a short . As you travel it will show a short and then no short.
This happened to me. Replace each wire,,,,ONE AT A Time,,,,,, and I attached them to the outside of the tube axle with zip ties. Wire them to the back side not front side so no stone or other debris will hit them.

No problem with a short since

Test Tow Vehicle wires (re: to TV's 7 Pin Plug).

If wiring problems under TT, I would simply replace its factory linear thin 12 gauge wiring with STAR design using thicker 10 gauge wiring (outside its axle tubes).

For more details, surf:
- click here for factory linear design -
- click here for much better STAR design -
- click here for under my utility trailer -
- click here for under my boat trailer -

Hope this helps.

if it had a bad ground, it would not cause a short.


agree on wire entry point @ axle tube and backing plate; possible chafe.
critters like to nest in trailer brake drums and eat wires (as I found today)

A lot of electrical problems are caused by a bad ground. Make sure plug on tow vehicle has good ground

It could be an intermittent short. The first place I would look is the wire that goes inside the axle. This is a very frequent place for a short. I have ran a wire on the outside of the axles on two of my trailers and eliminated the one inside.