Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes on Trailer Always Engaged

Question

Question:

when I hook up my rv to my truck and try to go my trailer brakes will not release what could cause this

asked by: Josh K

0

Expert Reply:

Did the issue just start happening? If so I recommend checking the the wiring going from the trailer brakes to the 7-way connector for any damage as it is likely shorting out. If the wiring looks good make sure your break away switch has the pin inserted properly though this would only engage the brakes until the battery of the break away switch died.

Next check the connectors for both the trailer and tow vehicle to make sure that there is not corrosion that could be causing power to jump between the pins.

If the connectors look good check the blue wire going from your 7-way connector to the trailer brake controller to make sure that there is no damage where it could be grounding out.

If the trailer brake controller was just installed, I recommend using a circuit tester like the # PTW2993 to check the blue wire of your trailer brake controller to see if it is sending power to the trailer brakes all of the time when the RV is connected.

If you are getting a constant 12v no matter if the brakes are applied or not you will need to find the cold side of the stop light switch that only has power when the brake pedal is applied, and make sure the red wire from the controller is connected to that wire.

expert reply by: Samuel C

0

Answer 1

Sometimes the fuses are already installed from the factory on a 2008 Chevy Silverado when installing a brake controller, but if not the fuse slots are in the front of the box. I have attached a picture that shows the location of fuse slots. I have…

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Answer 2

First of all did this problem just start happening? If the trailer has always worked fine before on the same truck then it's likely a short on the trailer's brake wiring. I would start by cleaning the connector and make sure…

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Answer 3

It sounds like you will need to set up the Hopkins Agility brake controller, #HM47294, as if you have just installed it. From time to time, settings can get changed and the controller can get knocked out of position and you might not notice. Double…

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Answer 4

It is very unusual for 4-pole trailer wiring to get hot enough to melt the 4-pole plug. This wiring format carries only basic lighting signals, no trailer brake power, no reverse lights and no auxiliary 12V power. It would be much more common for an…

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Answer 5

You may have a short to the blue brake controller wire or pin on the 7-Way. This can occur from several sources. To check the brake controller, cut the blue wire several inches away from the controller. Use a circuit tester like #PTW2993 if needed to…

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Answer 6

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 7

I did some checking and the hub/drum we offer that will work for you is the part #8-430-5UC3. This uses the same bearings as the 8-415 and will be an exact fit aside from the fact this is a non-ABS setup and the 8-415 came in an ABS setup and non-ABS…

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Answer 8

You will need the Red LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light #328-K-52 or Amber LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light #328-K-51 for your 2018 Forest River Sunseeker motorhome. These lenses have the same Top Command SAE-AP2-16 markings on the…

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Answer 9

I would love to help you upgrade the suspension on your Twilight 2800 travel trailer. The MORryde Rubber Equalizers for Tandem Axle Trailers #MR87ZR that you referenced are a great solution but we do need to double check a few things. First is that…

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Answer 10

Since you have a wheelbase/axle spacing of 38 inches the correct hanger kit for slipper springs would be the part #HAP-105-205-01. And then for a 7k trailer axle the u-bolt kit you'd want would be the part #APUBR-8. I attached the diagram to use…

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Answer 11

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 12

The old version of the #HBA-CAM used 4 wires, but the product was updated awhile back and now uses only two wires as shown in the photo on the product description page. The white wire from the HBA-CAM would tap into the white ground wire and the blue…

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