Travel Trailer Brake Problem

[rirish1]

I have an intermittent problem with my TT brakes. I have a 2017 Chevy 2500 with the internal brake module. I recently drove 1000 miles without problem when the truck started alarming with the following message:
Check Trailer Connection. It then almost immediately notifies me that the trailer is connected. It is accompanied by an alarm bell and it sometimes happens 3-5 times a minute. The 7 pin plug is in good shape and I can't duplicate the problem. Other than rewiring the entire brake system does anyone have any suggestions? Can a brake magnet go bad intermittently? This didn't start until one of the bolts holding the brake plate on came loose and rattled around in one wheel for hundreds of miles. The TT is a 2008 KZ and it seems unlikely that there is a wiring problem.

[98coachman]

9times out of 10 it will be the ground for the brakes, check that first! A lot of times the manufacturer will only put one ground per axle, hence causing a problem. I will always ground each brake any more and this usually cures any brake issues. Good luck and happy camping!

[whjco]

I had trailer brake problems and found it in the crimps on the wires connecting the axles to the feed from the brake unit.

[ScottG]

Fisherman wrote:

kellem wrote:
Start simple and apply some dielectric grease to the 7-pin connection.

Why people do this is beyond comprehension.

Dielectric grease, or tune-up grease, is a silicone-based grease that repels moisture and protects electrical connections against corrosion. ... The grease does not conduct electricity, so it shouldn't be applied directly to the mating surfaces (pins and sockets) of an electrical connection

Agreed, fix the connection and then if you must, apply that junk.
But dielectric grease has never made a connection better. Nothing works better than a clean, dry connection.

I made a lot of money fixing avionics that had nothing more wrong with them than some av-tech having slathered that muck on the connections.

[Krusty]

Have an assistant apply the brakes while you go around and listen for the hum noise at each wheel. If one wheel is silent, that is a good place to start looking. Inspect the brake wiring the best you can. You may have to pull the brake drums off to have a look at the wiring in there too

[Lwiddis]

Could be time to replace your 7 pin plug, They can look good but not be.

[Lynnmor]

rirish1 wrote:
It is a 2018 TT so I am hesitant about rewiring the whole thing. I will explore the whole system again. I can never reduplicate it without driving hundreds of miles. I appreciate all the suggestions. I thought about replacing the magnet in the suspected wheel first.

Your first post said "2008 TT", never the less if you think these things are made correctly think again. My KZ had one brake wire crimped on the insulation, so only three worked.

Since your controller reported a disconnect, I would think that three brakes working would not cause the warning. Also, a short is probably not the issue.

[Gdetrailer]

rirish1 wrote:
It is a 2018 TT so I am hesitant about rewiring the whole thing. I will explore the whole system again. I can never reduplicate it without driving hundreds of miles. I appreciate all the suggestions. I thought about replacing the magnet in the suspected wheel first.

OK, might wish to edit your original post as you did mention 2008..

rirish1 wrote:
snip.. The TT is a 2008 KZ and it seems unlikely that there is a wiring problem.

Unless the magnet shows physical damage I would just look at the wire to make sure no insulation has been shredded.

If you find any damaged insulation you can simply either cover the bare insulation with black tape or cut and splice with crimp or solder and then cover with black tape or if you have heat shrink tubing. Then make sure the wire routing will not cause any further problems.

[rirish1]

It is a 2018 TT so I am hesitant about rewiring the whole thing. I will explore the whole system again. I can never reduplicate it without driving hundreds of miles. I appreciate all the suggestions. I thought about replacing the magnet in the suspected wheel first.

[Gdetrailer]

Loose wheel bolt?

Lucky you didn't tear up the brake shoes and lockup the brakes..

But, yes, a nut or bolt flying around inside of a contained area could have chaffed the brake magnet wire and is causing an intermittent short.

Another suspect place is most manufacturers run the brake wiring inside the axle tubes.. The wire is laying loose inside the tube and can easily rub the insulation causing an intermittent short..

Some issue with the axle tube can also break the wires inside the tube causing no connection to the other brake.

Manufacturers also do not use weather proof connectors and the wires tend to corrode inside the crimps making for poor or intermittent connections.

Check the wheel where you found the bolt loose, make sure the magnet wire is not damaged.

Check and verify all of the connections at the crimp connectors.

Barring all that, you have a 2008 trailer, running all new wiring is not a bad idea and you can upgrade the wire size a couple of wire gauges, use better weather proof wire connectors and get better braking at the same time.

[SpeakEasy]

Yes, that wheel with the loose bolt is suspect. That's the first place I'd be looking for a short. Get your multi-meter out and happy hunting!

-Speak

[Fisherman]

kellem wrote:
Start simple and apply some dielectric grease to the 7-pin connection.

Why people do this is beyond comprehension.

Dielectric grease, or tune-up grease, is a silicone-based grease that repels moisture and protects electrical connections against corrosion. ... The grease does not conduct electricity, so it shouldn't be applied directly to the mating surfaces (pins and sockets) of an electrical connection

[kellem]

Start simple and apply some dielectric grease to the 7-pin connection.

[BobsYourUncle]

Sometimes the 7 pin gets a little bit slightly corroded or the surface of the pins make less than optimal contact. Mine does that once in a while.

When I connect, I am in the habit of running the plug in and out a couple times, wiggling, slightly rotating it when I plug it in. I find that helps ensure a good connection.

On the trailer connector, I sometimes take a tiny file or similar and rough up the contacts a bit to make sure it has a clean surface in there. Have a look in the truck connector and make sure the pins are clean too. Gotta be careful if you rough them up a bit, don't short out anything hot.

[bgum]

Sounds like a short. It may well be right at the magnet area caused by the loose brake plate.