Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes that Are Weak with Controller but Not with Breakaway

Question:

We have a 14000 lb hydraulic tilt trailer. It had electric brakes with a break away unit. When the key is pulled out of the break away unit the trailer tire are locked up as they should be. The break away works fine but the trailer brakes are weak with full power applied after hooking a 12 volt source to the blue wire. Can you help with this. Thank you.

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

Since your breakaway battery has the amperage and voltage to lock up your trailer brakes we know the trailer side of the brakes and wiring to them are good. So that would indicate that the brake controller isn't able to send enough power/amperage to the brakes to effectively lock up the brakes. This could be because you have more brake assemblies than what your controller was designed to activate as some only can be used on tandem axle brake axles whereas controllers like the P3 part # 90195 can be used on trailers that have triple axle brake setups.

If you can get back to me with how many brake axles you have and what brake controller you have we can go from there. You might also check the pins of your trailer connectors to make sure they are clean and free of corrosion.

expert reply by: Jameson C