my near disaster
We had a great vacation camping at Delaware Seashore State Park. The best part was walking a few hundred yards from the campsite to the beach (and not having to pay to park!). Last Friday we packed up and headed back to NJ. I didn't have any issues until I pulled up on our street. As I went to back the TT into the space next to my house, the brake controller started making weird noises, and I felt like I ran something over as I tried to back up. I got out to check and there was nothing in the path of the tires, so I continued to try and back up. The trailer would not budge, so I knew something was wrong. I dsconnected the brake controller but it didn't remedy the problem. So I disconnect the 7-pin connector and that freed up the TT and I was able to back into my spot and get it off the street.
It was then that my daughter showed me the 7-pin harness electrical connector. Apparently it got loose and was dragging on the pavement, and had wore away all the insulation on one side and exposed the wires, which were then shorting themselves out. This must have caused the brakes to lock up when backing up.
The brakes locking up caused another issue. I noticed that the wheels on one side of the TT were no longer centered within the wheel wells. It looks like the axles shifted position on the leaf springs. This must have been what gave me the impression that I ran something over. However, at least the tires don't look to be impacted in any way. I think this all this damage occurred right in front of my house.
Which indicates to me that the electrical cord must have only started dragging late in the trip. If it had worn down even further during the trip, I would have been stuck on the interstate with no trailer brakes or lights. Worse yet, the brakes may have locked up at full speed.
I don't dare drive this back to the RV dealer, which is an hour away on high speed roads (risk of tire damage if the axles are out of alignment). There is a general trailer repair place about 5 miles from my house. I think they would be able to repair the 7-pin connector wire harness and possibly be able to fix the axle shifting. The TT is out of warranty so that isn't an issue. I'm going to see if they can send someone to my house to evaluate the situation first, but if they can't, I think I can make it to their place without brakes on low-speed road. I have no idea how much this is going to cost to fix, but I'm hoping it isn't an arm and a leg.
But anyway you slice it, I really dodged a bullet here as it could have been a lot worse.
Has anyone here had an issue with their 7-pin harness wire coming loose and dragging? How about the axles shifting on the suspension?
It was then that my daughter showed me the 7-pin harness electrical connector. Apparently it got loose and was dragging on the pavement, and had wore away all the insulation on one side and exposed the wires, which were then shorting themselves out. This must have caused the brakes to lock up when backing up.
The brakes locking up caused another issue. I noticed that the wheels on one side of the TT were no longer centered within the wheel wells. It looks like the axles shifted position on the leaf springs. This must have been what gave me the impression that I ran something over. However, at least the tires don't look to be impacted in any way. I think this all this damage occurred right in front of my house.
Which indicates to me that the electrical cord must have only started dragging late in the trip. If it had worn down even further during the trip, I would have been stuck on the interstate with no trailer brakes or lights. Worse yet, the brakes may have locked up at full speed.
I don't dare drive this back to the RV dealer, which is an hour away on high speed roads (risk of tire damage if the axles are out of alignment). There is a general trailer repair place about 5 miles from my house. I think they would be able to repair the 7-pin connector wire harness and possibly be able to fix the axle shifting. The TT is out of warranty so that isn't an issue. I'm going to see if they can send someone to my house to evaluate the situation first, but if they can't, I think I can make it to their place without brakes on low-speed road. I have no idea how much this is going to cost to fix, but I'm hoping it isn't an arm and a leg.
But anyway you slice it, I really dodged a bullet here as it could have been a lot worse.
Has anyone here had an issue with their 7-pin harness wire coming loose and dragging? How about the axles shifting on the suspension?
