Serious Brake-Locking, Intermittent - HELP NEEDED
Below is a write-up my husband did concerning our brake problem:
Problem Statement
Intermittently, the brakes of our fifth wheel trailer lock up for less than one second, while being towed by our Chevy truck.
Incident Details
Over the last 2 years, we have experienced 6 incidents of the trailer brakes locking up, each for less than one second. Each incident is during “tow mode”, where we our truck is hitched to our fifth wheel. The following are observations during these incidents:
All incidents occurred during highway speed while pulling the trailer.
The truck and trailer experience brief lock-up of trailer brakes
We are in “tow mode”
A few of the incidents occurred while cruise control was active; most of the incidents did not have cruise control active.
The speed is reduced due trailer brake activation.
The incident takes less than one second.
The vehicle RPMs do not go up.
The truck brake light and ABS light both go on.
We always pull over to the shoulder after the incident.
Brake light and ABS light stay on until the engine is turned off, restarted, and vehicle brought to at least idling speed.
Our truck and trailer
Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ, crew cab, long-bed, dually truck. We have no performance enhancing computer chips or devices. Stock.
Redwood 38BR fifth wheel (41 feet)
What we have done so far
We have taken the Chevy truck to different dealers a total of four times. Each time the dealer checks the EBCM and determines any codes. Nothing has been found wrong the Chevy truck by any of the dealers. Codes have been documented.
For example, in the last incident, the EBCM threw a “U0100” code. According to obd-codes.com, “The generic OBD trouble code U0100 is a serious situation where the signals between the electronic control module (ECM) or the powertrain control module (PCM) and a particular module have been lost. There could also be a problem with the CAN bus wiring disrupting communications.”
We have had our trailer in for service a couple of times, with nothing found so far.
I have talked with the manufacturer of the trailer brake actuator (Cargo Towing Systems).
I have talked with the manufacturer of the trailer (Crossroads).
I have had many conversations with Chevy mechanics.
I have de-activated my truck air springs, to be sure that there are no current spikes being given to the EBCM due to this aftermarket device. The problem has re-occurred after the air springs were de-activated.
I have had my truck external fuel tank wiring checked by the Chevy dealer to be sure it is wired properly.
I have purchased a new CAM MOD device to support the trailer brake actuator, according to Cargo Towing Solutions.
I have replaced the 7-pin connector that goes between the truck and trailer, including the plug-in receptacle that mounts to the truck bed.
I am ready to have the trailer gone over top to bottom to see if there are any potential intermittent shorts (not an easy task).
Summary
I’m looking for ideas on what to do to solve this problem, before someone gets hurt.
Problem Statement
Intermittently, the brakes of our fifth wheel trailer lock up for less than one second, while being towed by our Chevy truck.
Incident Details
Over the last 2 years, we have experienced 6 incidents of the trailer brakes locking up, each for less than one second. Each incident is during “tow mode”, where we our truck is hitched to our fifth wheel. The following are observations during these incidents:
All incidents occurred during highway speed while pulling the trailer.
The truck and trailer experience brief lock-up of trailer brakes
We are in “tow mode”
A few of the incidents occurred while cruise control was active; most of the incidents did not have cruise control active.
The speed is reduced due trailer brake activation.
The incident takes less than one second.
The vehicle RPMs do not go up.
The truck brake light and ABS light both go on.
We always pull over to the shoulder after the incident.
Brake light and ABS light stay on until the engine is turned off, restarted, and vehicle brought to at least idling speed.
Our truck and trailer
Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ, crew cab, long-bed, dually truck. We have no performance enhancing computer chips or devices. Stock.
Redwood 38BR fifth wheel (41 feet)
What we have done so far
We have taken the Chevy truck to different dealers a total of four times. Each time the dealer checks the EBCM and determines any codes. Nothing has been found wrong the Chevy truck by any of the dealers. Codes have been documented.
For example, in the last incident, the EBCM threw a “U0100” code. According to obd-codes.com, “The generic OBD trouble code U0100 is a serious situation where the signals between the electronic control module (ECM) or the powertrain control module (PCM) and a particular module have been lost. There could also be a problem with the CAN bus wiring disrupting communications.”
We have had our trailer in for service a couple of times, with nothing found so far.
I have talked with the manufacturer of the trailer brake actuator (Cargo Towing Systems).
I have talked with the manufacturer of the trailer (Crossroads).
I have had many conversations with Chevy mechanics.
I have de-activated my truck air springs, to be sure that there are no current spikes being given to the EBCM due to this aftermarket device. The problem has re-occurred after the air springs were de-activated.
I have had my truck external fuel tank wiring checked by the Chevy dealer to be sure it is wired properly.
I have purchased a new CAM MOD device to support the trailer brake actuator, according to Cargo Towing Solutions.
I have replaced the 7-pin connector that goes between the truck and trailer, including the plug-in receptacle that mounts to the truck bed.
I am ready to have the trailer gone over top to bottom to see if there are any potential intermittent shorts (not an easy task).
Summary
I’m looking for ideas on what to do to solve this problem, before someone gets hurt.
