Troubleshooting Curt Tri-Flex Trailer Brake Controller C24VV Failures

Question

Question:

what could be the possible cause of repeated failure of my brake controller. I now have two of them in the same condition. I have power going in , but nothing coming out. They both lasted for about 250 miles of towing.

asked by: Dennis B

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Expert Reply:

Some trailer brake controllers can be damaged by incorrect polarity of the incoming power, but the Curt Tri-Flex # C24VV like many better such units has built-in polarity protection. But if you have had two brake controllers suffer the same fate, a quick death, after being connected to the same vehicle and trailer for only 250-miles of towing then your issue is most likely to be a short in your trailer socket on the vehicle or on the trailer.

Start your check at the 7-way vehicle socket. Inspect both the contacts you can see from the back of the vehicle, and also the contacts inside the plug and at its rear where the vehicle wiring connects. Trapped dirt, water or other foreign material could cause a dead short between, for example, the 12V auxiliary trailer power feed and the brake circuit. If the 12V power feed shorted with the brake circuit this would send a damaging signal into the brake controller.

Since you were able to tow for several hundred miles each time before failure this tends to suggest that there may be a loose connection somewhere, or wire that has worn or cracked insulation that only shorts out once vibration/wind enable the damaged wiring to cause a short.

Trace the trailer's brake circuit wiring all the way from the 7-way plug at the trailer tongue back to each brake assembly. Look for any signs of cracked or worn insulation, especially around points where the wire has to make sharp bends around trailer structures and near moving parts like the suspension.

You can also directly test the trailer brake circuit without a brake controller simply by applying 12V power for a well-charged battery (the one in your truck is fine to use) to the brake circuit contacts on the trailer's 7-way plug. You should be able to hear gentle humming from the brake when energized by the battery power, and of course the brake should fully engage preventing rotation.

You can refer to the two linked articles for more help troubleshooting and testing your trailer brakes.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

Nope, the Curt TriFlex NEXT #C24VV will not have to set up and be recalibrated when the vehicle is turned off, it will keep the settings you use.

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Answer 2

I called my contact at Curt and they told me you can possibly reset the brake controller by unplugging the 12V power form it and then let it sit for a few minutes. Then turn it back on and that may take care of the issue. Make sure the trailer is…

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Answer 3

If you check out the attached instructions for the Curt TriFlex Trailer Brake Controller #C24VV you can see that the OL code you are getting means that there is an "Overloaded output circuit, trailer brake system fault". Whichever…

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

You're right, the mounting bracket is unique (in a good way) for the Curt TriFlex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller #C24VV. The bracket is smaller and all you do is put the included adhesive tape on the bracket and stick it wherever you like…

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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

The best brake controller option to go with is one that activates the brakes proportionally instead of time delayed. A proportional brake controller will activate the trailer brakes at the same time and with the same intensity as the tow vehicle…

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Answer 8

Either way is correct. It depends on if you want to keep the semi-style 7-Way (if you need to tow that type of trailer) or if you will never be towing a semi-trailer. If you need to keep the 7-Way semi active on the truck, then you would need to make…

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Answer 9

Hey Donald, the best Blue Ox weight distribution would be the pat #BXW0550 as it has a perfect tongue weight range for your 450 lb tongue weight trailer.

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Answer 10

Hello Dan, I can definitely help with this. It is completely normal for the Curt TriFlex brake Controller #C24VV to show the current gain setting when the brakes are applied, or when the manual override is pressed. It sounds like you have the gain…

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Answer 11

You are correct, you should only be getting output when the brake is applied, or the override switch is activated. It sounds like the controller might be bad, but to make sure, you should probably bench test it before tossing it. Use a circuit…

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Answer 12

I see what you mean with the additional support bracket below the frame on your 2024 Keystone Hideout Sport 175BH travel trailer. I'm glad you reached out to us Peter as that is going to limit you on what you can use. With that additional…

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