Forum Discussion

Olsy's avatar
Olsy
Explorer
Sep 03, 2013

Trailer brakes issues

So I have a brand new 2013 GMC sierra with factory brake controller and HD tow package. Trailer is a 2012 KZ Spree Escape 170s. Brake controller sometimes will recognize the trailer but most of the time wont. I can get them to work (allbeit sketchy) if i turn on the vehicle with manual paddles held shut and slowly release while i accelerate, then when i come to a complete the brakes kick and i need to restart the process. I have had the truck looked at by GM, while i was standing and they perfectly fine, i have replaced the plug end and nothing, tried dielectric grease and nothing. I thought i fixed when i noticed the trailer ground was not very good, after that, they seemed to work fine. The trailer brakes work fine while plugged into our Ford Escape with after market controler...

Any ideas here? I am stumped
  • Nvr2loud's avatar
    Nvr2loud
    Explorer II
    Sep 04, 2013
    Lynnmor wrote:
    You really want to keep the factory controller. It will perform much better than after-market units.


    I don't necessarily disagree... but why do you feel that way?

    I'm only thinking about other complicated electronics that car manufacturers attempt to make and aftermarket is typically far superior (Radios, GPS, Alarms, Auto-starts, heated washer fluid, heated seats... the list goes on and on)

    I have often found that an aftermarket manufacturer specializes in a very specific technology and that OEM typically does not have the experience to get it right.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Sep 04, 2013
    You really want to keep the factory controller. It will perform much better than after-market units. If the truck dealer found no problem, it still may be an intermittent problem with the trailer. My Spree had no connection with one brake magnet due to a wire not being stripped properly. I would carefully go over all the brake wiring including grounds. Also check the wires inside the axles for shorts.
  • herbhofmann's avatar
    herbhofmann
    Explorer
    Sep 04, 2013
    My neighbor has a 1 year old Dodge pu with a factory controller. It never worked. The dealer replaced the ecu for the controller but it still didn't do anything. He gave up and put a P2 in his truck and it works fine. He was more interested in hitting the road than visiting the dealer again.
  • TucsonJim's avatar
    TucsonJim
    Explorer II
    Sep 03, 2013
    No, I don't know about that, but if all else fails, you could put an aftermarket controller in. I know I'd hate to do that, but at least it would be safe.
  • Olsy's avatar
    Olsy
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2013
    I'll have to look into that, i've heard tht gms brake controller can be very sensitive and one solution is to parallel some sort of magnets with the brakes, not to sure about this...any thoughts?
  • TucsonJim's avatar
    TucsonJim
    Explorer II
    Sep 03, 2013
    Since it worked well with the aftermarket controller in the Ford, it sure sounds like an issue with the GMC. To do a double check, do you know anyone else with a trailer you could hook to the GMC? If so, and the it exhibits the same problem, it's back to the dealer to make it right.

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