Trailer Brakes Lock Up When Brake Controller is Engaged

Question:

I have a 2011 Coachmen Hybrid travel trailer, tandem axle, and I am having problems with the brakes. My controller is a new time based unit, draw tite brand, and has gain settings 1 to 10. If I put it on a setting of 2 a low setting at that the brakes are WAY too strong. If I click it down one setting to 1.5, they are not working at all. Well, they maybe working but not enough to feel. Any setting higher than 2 gives me a solid lock up of the brakes. Ive tested the voltage at my 7-pin plug at the back of the truck, and the controller appears to be working as it should. I have as low as .5V at the lowest gain setting, and a full 12V at the highest. What could I be dealing with here?

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

The issue you are experiencing with the brakes on your trailer is more than likely either a short in the brake output wire (usually blue) that runs from the trailer side trailer connector to each braking assembly, a bad ground on the braking assembly or a faulty brake magnet. The first of which I would do is trace the brake output wire from the trailer connector back to each braking assembly while checking for breaks or frays. I would then move onto the ground while checking each of the braking assemblies grounds and the trailer connectors ground.

If the issue is still not resolved after the ground and power wires have been checked then the only other thing that could cause the problem is the brake magnets. I have attached a help article that thoroughly explains how to test the brake magnets on your braking assemblies. You will also want to make sure they are adjusted properly.

expert reply by: Conner L