Forum Discussion

buddie1's avatar
buddie1
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014

trailer brakes

here's the deal: I was traveling from West Virginia back to Nebraska pulling my 36ft 5th wheel. Stopped in Indy for the night, back on the road again in the morning no problems. Stopped in Jamesport, Mo for the night. Left the campground in the morning & my trailer started hoping brakes would come on .. off..on...off. stopped reconnected everything again same thing. unplugged the controller from fuse box so at least I would have lights no go. So unplugged from truck completely pulled home with no brakes or lights. Looking for some input. Reese controller 83500. truck 06 chevy durmax
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jun 19, 2014
    ScottG wrote:
    The wires that cross over inside the axles may have finally rubbed through their insulation and are intermittently shorting. Very common!


    This would be my thought, depending on age/miles on trailer. You can check by running wires across on the outside of axle.

    Jerry
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jun 19, 2014
    The wires that cross over inside the axles may have finally rubbed through their insulation and are intermittently shorting. Very common!
  • spud1957's avatar
    spud1957
    Explorer
    Jun 19, 2014
    Could your emergency brake cable be loose at the connection on the pin?
  • JamesBr's avatar
    JamesBr
    Explorer
    Jun 19, 2014
    Do you know if the trailer lighting was blinking in and out as well? I had that issue on my race trailer and had to replace the 7 pin whip as not only was the brake controller going nuts the lights where flickering.
  • waltbennett's avatar
    waltbennett
    Explorer
    Jun 19, 2014
    The brakes themselves are fairly simple electrically, so I'd look for a loose wire or possibly a controller problem. Try duplicating the problem in your driveway. If your trailer lights are also going on & off with the brakes, then it's almost certainly a wire problem since the controller doesn't work the lights. Also, look at the controller readout & see if the brake number changes or stays at zero.

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