Maiden Voyage, Brake Wiring Harness Problems

[Paranoid]

We took our new tow vehicle up to Payson Arizona and the Rim this weekend and it towed fantastic as expected.

I had problems several times with the onboard computer warning me that the trailer brake had momentarily become disconnected. It would chime and flash an alarm that the trailer brake had disconnected, then reconnect almost immediately thereafter.

I foresaw the possibility of this problem before the trip. Our previous tow vehicle the trailer brake adapter was down low next to the hitch receiver, next to the safety chains. This was always a concern to me as I almost had too much play in the brake wiring from the travel trailer. On the GMC SLT, the brake wiring is up above the bumper, next to the license plate. This is the opposite problem - now the cable is right at its maximum length. The brake adapter on the Sierra is also kind of cheap and feels poorly secured to the truck compared to the Escalade. This combination means that if I am making a sharp turn or the trailer bounces, I think it is just enough play that the cable momentarily loses connection with the 7 pin connector.

What are my options? I can't seem to find an extension cable that increases the length - it seems like my only option is to remove the cable equipped on the trailer and wire a new one that is maybe 6-8" longer. That seems like a hassle.

Has anyone ran into a similar problem? What was your solution?

[Kay_and_Gene]

Had a similar problem just this morning. Checking everything for a short trip and got a warning msg that the trailer brakes were not connected. on tracing the wiring to the trailer brakes, one of the wires had gotten between the spring mounting bolt and bracket and obviously was shorting out. Loosened bolts got wire out and re-torqued bolts, taped wire and rerouted away from springs. The brakes had worked fine towing the unit home from the dealer but glad I found it before we take off in the am.

[Paranoid]

Seems like cleaning and reattaching the ground and putting in a longer umbilical cord are the winners, which is what I was hoping to avoid. We're at the hottest time in Arizona and the last thing I want to be doing is laying on my back on a blacktop under a trailer attaching a cable that my life depends on.

Gotta love the RVing lifestyle. 😄

Thanks everyone for the quick responses, even if they confirmed my worst-case scenario.

[Coolerman]

Second getting a new longer umbilical cord for the camper. They are not hard to wire in. Just take your time and do one wire at a time.

In addition the new cord will fit tighter in the socket on the truck, eliminating the intermittent connection.

[IPegasus]

I had the same problem as you. If you do a google search you will find this is a common problem with the integrated brake controller.

The cure for me was to re-do the ground wires to the trailer frame connection. It has to be bright and shiny connections.

Here is a link where I wrote it up.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76-speciality-forums/222-towing/750137-2015-2500hd-check-trailer-wiring-fix.html

[westend]

An extension has the potential for another failure point. I'd suggest to buy a new umbilical and wire it in.

6' umbilical at Etrailer

7' & 8' available at PPL

Good luck, hope you are problem free with the connectors.

[Chuck_thehammer]

e-bay has some extensions

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X7+pin+trailer+extension.TRS0&_nkw=7+pin+trailer+extension&_sacat=0