Troubleshooting Weak Trailer Braking with Curt Tri-Flex C24VV

Question:

I have checked all connections for tightness and even went as far to re terminate each wire and each ground point. Wire is stranded 12ga.All grounding points were cleaned by sanding and wiped down with acetone. The brakes do come on with both the brake pedal and the manual over ride. I can not tell any difference between the 2.0 setting and the 9.9 setting,Manual override is the same from just moving it to fully depressed. Voltage from blue to ground is 12.1v. Amperage thru each magnet is 3.3 and 6.6 on both. Ohms are 3.9 from blue at plug to ground. This is fully depressing manual control with LED showing 9.9 Have checked the adjustment by turning the adjuster till wheel can not be turned by hand then backing off the adjustment wheel by 10 clicks . This is a brand new axle. 09 Lincoln Navigator Curt Triflex controller with supplied wire harness

asked by: Randy G

Expert Reply:

Thank you for purchasing your Curt Tri-Flex trailer brake controller # C24VV and matching wiring adapter # C51322 for your 2009 Lincoln Navigator. I am sorry you are having an issue with the trailer braking power being weak.

If your voltage readings are taken on the trailer at the brake assemblies, and you are reading 12V there, then chances are that the issue is on the trailer side. The pad tension, which is set with the star wheel adjuster, should be set so that with the trailer jacked up you can feel (and often hear) consistent slight drag on the drum as you rotate it by hand.

In some cases backing off 10 clicks with the adjuster might be where you need to be but the adjustment should be done based on the rotation of the wheel by hand. Please refer to the linked video at the 7:00 mark to see this process.

expert reply by: Adam R