Brakes on Left Side of Trailer are Locking Up

Question:

My trailer brake is locking up on the left side of my trailer I just put in a brake control in my truck and have it turned almost all the way down to where it feels like it not working but it is and then when I come to a stop light my brakes lock up . I have a 2005 dodge ram 1500

asked by: Brett M

Expert Reply:

There are a few possible things that might be causing the brake on one side of the trailer to lock up.

First, you'll need to determine if the brake on the other side of the trailer is working. You can do this by having a helper activate the manual brake switch on the controller while you use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to check if power is reaching the brake magnet. If it's not, you'll need to trace the output circuit toward the front of the trailer, looking for the loose connection. Make sure the ground for that magnet is connected to the trailer frame.

The problem might be caused by a worn brake assembly part, such as a spring, so giving each brake assembly a visual inspection would be a good idea. You'll also want to ensure that both trailer brakes are properly adjusted. I'll link you to a video that shows how to do this. Click the link and fast forward to the 1:50 minute mark.

expert reply by: Mike L