Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes that Dont Operate with Brake Controller or Breakaway System

Question

Question:

I have electric brakes on my boat trailer which arent working. My question is should the brakes activate when I pull the break away switch without being hooked to my vehicle ? I have cleaned and checked all grounds, the battery shows charged. My tow vehicle said to check brake system, looking for next steps.

asked by: Mike

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The brakes of your trailer should activate if you pull the pin on your breakaway system. Since it is not and you are getting a message on your brake controller that says to check brake system it would appear that you have a problem on the brake output circuit of your trailer most likely after where the breakaway system attaches to the circuit.

You can try running the ground of the assemblies back to the main ground of the trailer, but I suspect that the problem is somewhere on the wiring of the output circuit between the brake assemblies and where the breakaway system connects. Check the wiring for exposed or cut wiring and fix as necessary.

Corrosion on the splice that connects the wiring to the brake assemblies is a common problem we see here for the issue you are having.

It could also be bad brake magnets. I attached a help article that details how to troubleshoot this.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

Answer 1

You would need to run a length of 10 gauge wire like part #10-1-1 (sold by the foot) from the 12 volt accessory circuit pin of the 7-way to the positive terminal of the battery. This will put a maintenance charge on the battery but it will not…

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Answer 2

When wiring a trailer connector, it is best to wire by function, as wire colors can vary. We have an excellent wiring diagram on our website, I will provide you a link so you can look at it. If you are looking at the inside of the trailer connector…

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Answer 3

We have a online diagram that will help you understand how the break away system is wired into your trailer. It is actually a simple installation. The system splices into the existing trailer wiring. The break away box will have 3 wires coming out of…

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Answer 4

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 5

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 6

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 7

If your trailer has 7 wires running all the way back to the brakes, then yes, you can tap into the existing wiring. Each of your new brakes will have two wires for the brake magnet. One wire is for 12 volt power to the brake magnets and the other…

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Answer 8

Hey Jeremy, Typically with boat trailers the manufacturer will install hydraulic surge brakes because you don't have to worry about the water damaging wires like you would with electric brakes. That being said, if you use a heat shrink butt…

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Answer 9

On this page (typically below the product links) there is a helpful link section that will have the install instructions fo the Hopkins Breakaway kit part #20400 that you referenced. I also attached an install video that shows the kit installed as…

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Answer 10

You do have the option to utilize the air brakes on your 2023 Freightliner Cascadia to control electric trailer brakes using the Hayes Air Actuated Trailer Brake Controller, part #HA100400C. However, we mostly recommend just using an electric brake…

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Answer 11

To find the load capacity for your axle you should look on the trailer VIN plate or sticker that lists the VIN number. The weight rating of the axle should be listed on that same plate or sticker. Also, the axle could have a tag or plate on it that…

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Answer 12

Traditionally, trailer manufacturers did not use electric brakes on boat trailers because the brake magnet wiring and trailer wiring did not always have the best insulation or water protection. These days, more and more manufacturers are using…

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Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes that Dont Operate with Brake Controller or Breakaway System

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