Forum Discussion

Kkrivo's avatar
Kkrivo
Explorer
Jul 08, 2017

Trailer Brake Issues

We have a 2011 F150 & 2012 33 ft Forest River Patriot Edition. The trailer we purchased this year off of my brother in law after it sat outside at a storage facility without moving for 2 years. We took it on 2-3 short 30-45 minute drive trips without issue but on a 3 hour drive we started receiving a "Trailer Wiring Fault" error message on the truck and the brakes on the trailer go out completely, for a short while. We also have a 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV that we have installed an aftermarket trailer break on and we were receiving error messages there as well, which lead us to believe the issue was with the trailer rather than the truck. We took the camper to a local camper dealership and they could not replicate the problem with their tow vehicle or our truck. However, on our 30 minute ride home we started receiving the messages again.

Is there a way we can identify the issue from home? Any suggestions on what it might be and how to fix it? We are brand new to RVing, love having the camper, but it's nerve wrecking to drive the trailer not knowing if the brakes are working or not!

Thanks in advance!
  • Edd505's avatar
    Edd505
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2017
    buzzard616 wrote:
    First disassemble the plug to check all the connections inside.
    If that all looks OK...

    Then crawl around underneath and check the wiring connections to each wheel...

    Next jack each wheel, one at a time.
    Spin it and have someone stick a piece of wire into the #2 and #4 holes in the plug.

    Brake plug

    This should apply full brake power and the spinning wheel should stop abrubtly.
    If this workes on all four the brakes are fine.
    If all 4 wheels don't stop with same amount of 'force' then have the brakes checked.


    Like others have said check the wiring under the trailer at each wheel. Instead of shorting the wire have someone pull the breakaway switch, it will check the wheels break operation/magnets & switch.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jul 08, 2017
    jmaotto wrote:
    You may have a short in the wire that goes through the axle. This is a common problem. This has happened on both of my axles. Simple fix is to run new wires on the outside of the axle.


    This would be my guess as well.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2017
    The trailer sat for a few years and the plug probably was not protected from the weather. Clean or replace the plug. Likewise, clean and inspect the tow vehicle connectors.
  • jmaotto's avatar
    jmaotto
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2017
    You may have a short in the wire that goes through the axle. This is a common problem. This has happened on both of my axles. Simple fix is to run new wires on the outside of the axle.
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Jul 08, 2017
    It sound like something warms up while traveling and creates the
    fault.

    Since it happened with two different brake system controllers I would also suspect the TT brakes.

    You will most likely have to open them up and take a look. Maybe something like a shorted magnet?

    Good Luck.
  • buzzard616's avatar
    buzzard616
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2017
    First disassemble the plug to check all the connections inside.
    If that all looks OK...

    Then crawl around underneath and check the wiring connections to each wheel...

    Next jack each wheel, one at a time.
    Spin it and have someone stick a piece of wire into the #2 and #4 holes in the plug.

    Brake plug

    This should apply full brake power and the spinning wheel should stop abrubtly.
    If this workes on all four the brakes are fine.
    If all 4 wheels don't stop with same amount of 'force' then have the brakes checked.

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