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"Check Trailer Wiring"

Precise_One
Explorer
Explorer
While returning from a week long trip from BC, we experienced our truck indicating Check Trailer Wiring on dash info centre. It then indicates trailer is connected and will go back and forth with these messages and annoying dinging sound. I have tried plugging the trailer into the factory plug on the bumper and still have the same issue. All lights and brakes seem to be working fine. Looked over exposed wiring and can see no obvious signs of problems. Our truck is a 2015 GMC 3500 srw, Duramax and our trailer is a 2015 Wildcat 312BHX. This is our third season with the trailer and second with the truck. Anyone experience this problem?
Thanks
27 REPLIES 27

Charlie_D_
Explorer
Explorer
Precise One wrote:
Thanks everyone for your responses. I had the trailer in to have it checked out. Received a call today stating they could find no issues. Bearings were to be serviced as part of the visit as well. Will pick up Wednesday and see if there is any change. Have trucked scheduled to be checked Thursday. From there I will try towing a separate trailer and see if issue arises.


Does not mean that the dealer did a comprehensive check. Needs to look at each individual wire form magnet attachment back to truck. Is wiring running through axle tube? What is the amp draw when full voltage is sent to brakes? Takes a DC amp meter. Does he have one?
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Thank A Veteran
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2013 Prime Time Crusader 330MKS
2018 Chevy 2500 D/A Z71 4x4 Offroad
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2013 Chevy 2500 D/A-retired

Precise_One
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks everyone for your responses. I had the trailer in to have it checked out. Received a call today stating they could find no issues. Bearings were to be serviced as part of the visit as well. Will pick up Wednesday and see if there is any change. Have trucked scheduled to be checked Thursday. From there I will try towing a separate trailer and see if issue arises.

one_strange_tex
Explorer
Explorer
Here is my version of the story. On like the 2nd trip with our new fifth wheel, we started getting intermittent "Trailer Brake Disconnected" "Check brake wiring" from the smart alarm system in the truck. We have 2015 Montana & a 2015 Ram 1 ton. It would alarm & clear, alarm & clear repeatedly for a while, then settle down for an hour or 4. I had the trailer dealer & and my truck dealer check out their respective ends of the system. Both told me they could find nothing. Lo and behold, my trailer dealer suggested I have my wheel bearings serviced coming up on 1 year at the same time as I had some warranty work done. They found the wiring installation on one side of the trailer braking system to be defective once they had the wheels off. Apparently the initial checkout of the problem by them was not very comprehensive. I've had no problems since.
one_strange_texan
Currently between RV's
Former 5th wheel owner (Montana 3402RL)

4x4FF
Explorer
Explorer
You may also want to check your break away switch. I had a problem with mine and it caused a similar issue.
'07 39' Pilgrim Open Road 5th Wheel
'18 F350 Platinum 6.7 Powerstroke

larryn
Explorer
Explorer
I had a similar problem with 2009 silverado.It was a cracked fuse element,replaced fuse, all ok.Crack was almost invisable.

aruba5er
Explorer
Explorer
Have the same trouble on my 2011 chev. It comes on and I will pull over to check and b 4 I can get stopped the stupid light is back off. No trouble? No wiring or magnets to brakes. I have Disc brakes. Some little electron get waylaid, right?

Precise_One
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for all the responses. I will do some further investigating.

CoMoCo
Explorer
Explorer
Had the exact issue last year - one of the wires near a trailer brake magnet was the culprit. The controllers on the new trucks are very sensitive and pick these things up whereas the older trucks weren't as sensitive.
'23 Silverado High Country 3500 SRW LB D/A; '22 Cedar Creek 345IK

dahkota
Explorer
Explorer
When we had a tt/truck we had the same problem somewhere in Montana. Cleaned the dust and dirt out of the plug and the problem stopped.
2015 Jeep Willys Wrangler
2014 Fleetwood Bounder 33C
States camped: all but Hawaii
more than 1700 days on the road

lak356
Explorer
Explorer
Had the same problem I ran a separate ground wire from trailer the new computers are very sensitive

Nicholsfamily05
Explorer
Explorer
I just recently had the same issue on our brand new Ram. Turned out not be the truck but the trailer.

I made a post about it if you look under our name called intermittent brakes.

Turns out our two year old trailer was the issue. 3 of the 4 magnets burned up. The wires going from axle tubes to the magnets became brittle and failed and some how grease from the bearings made its way on to the shoes.

Not a good sign so we ditched the trailer and picking up the new one sometime this week.
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 Big Horn Crew Cab, SRW. Cummins Turbo Diesel Automatic 68RFE Trans
50 gallon diesel Transfer Flow tank with the Traxx 3 system.
2017 Sierra FLIK 5th Wheel
42' Front Livingroom, 15K
Hydraulic level up system

Retired_JSO
Explorer
Explorer
Had this happen on an older 2006 Ford. The problem was the connections at the axles themselves. Appeared as though the connections were scotch locks that had been taped down onto the axles. The tape came loose allowing one connection metal peg to strike the axle tube from time to time causing a fault.

agesilaus
Explorer III
Explorer III
On my truck the problem was in the plug from the trailer. I bought a new plug and wired it in and that fixed the problem. Amazon
Arctic Fox 25Y Travel Trailer
2018 RAM 2500 6.7L 4WD shortbed
Straightline dual cam hitch
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