Why Would Trailer Brakes Lock Up without Brake Controller When Vehicle Brakes are Touched

Question

Question:

my trailer brakes lock up when i hit the brakes even though i dont have a brake controller in the truck. Why?

asked by: John

0

Expert Reply:

When this happens it means the stoplight circuit is shorting out to the brake output circuit. I bet if you turned on your blinkers one side would cause the brakes to intermittently lock up too.

What you need to do is go over the wiring of the trailer and vehicle (starting with the connectors) and look for any obvious signs of a short and fix as needed.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Answer 1

I have a suspicion about what might be causing the problem you mention. Do your trucks have 6-way trailer connectors? Or, do the trucks have 7-way connectors, but you are using a 6-way to 7-way adapters because the trailers use 6-way connectors?…

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Answer 2

It depends on the year make and model of your vehicle where the brake controller fuse may be located. If you have a factory towing package the fuse is sometimes labeled "trailer tow electric brake". You can check the fuse visually to see if…

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Answer 3

Your trailer might be possessed! If the trailer has a battery on it with a breakaway system then that is likely where the power was coming from. Even if there wasn't a breakaway system, if there is a battery on the trailer then it is possible…

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Answer 4

The easiest first step here would be to try the trailer on a different truck, and see if the same problem occurs. If the trailer brakes are free until the trailer is plugged in, I suspect that something is mis wired. I would suggest examine the…

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Answer 5

From what I can find on the 2022 Nissan Frontier, the plug for the brake controller that will let you use a harness like the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers #3050-P is located just above the OBD connector, taped tight…

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Answer 6

If you have a 7-Way on both your trailer and tow vehicle you will first want to make sure that you have a brake controller, like the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 #90195. A brake controller is what is used to send power from the tow vehicle and tells the…

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Answer 7

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 9

Seal 171255UC has an inner diameter of 1.719 inches and outer diameter of 2.565 inches. A seal that has those dimensions would actually be #58846. I've added a link to a video review of this seal for you to take a look at.

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Answer 10

If you are needing the hub and drum assembly then you will want to go with the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly #8-201-5UC3-EZ but if you are just looking for an idler hub then you will want part #8-213-5UC1 instead. These come with the correct…

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Answer 11

I've never heard of an actual third brake light connector on a camper shell to plug in on a truck and we don't carry any parts to do that. The light generally needs to be hardwired into the truck's brake light circuit. The issue with this…

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Answer 12

While we may have an option for you, we do not have the exact specs on your Allis grease seal part number 5013 29772. However, with the 1.6" ID and 2.5" OD measurements you provides, that is very close to our #58846. This particular grease…

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Why Would Trailer Brakes Lock Up without Brake Controller When Vehicle Brakes are Touched

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