Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Controller Voltage Drop with Curt Venturer

Question:

So I have a travel trailer with electronic brakes. When I stop and only when coming to a complete stop “sometimes” the voltage on my truck gauge will drop for a few seconds and then go back up to normal. I have had it happen on another heavy utility trailer with electric brakes and it does it on that trailer too. Any suggestions. Brake controller is curt venturer. Truck is 2002 Chevy Silverado.

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

The Curt Venturer # C74VV should not be dropping voltage when coming to a stop. If you had a proportional controller I could see it maybe sending less power when you are at a stop but the Venturer # C74VV is a time-delayed controller which means that it sends back constant power at a preset strength when the brake pedal on your 2002 Chevy Silverado is pressed. You can try disconnecting the controller for about 10 - 15 minutes and see if that works.

Aside from replacing the brake controller with something that is a little more reliable, like the Tekonsha Primus IQ # TK90160 and Adapter # 3025-P, the only thing you can do is check all of the wiring leading to your brake controller and then from your brake controller all the way to your trailer brakes. On your wiring adapter the red and blue wires should only show power when the brakes are pressed, the black wire should have constant power, and the white wire shouldn't show anything (it is for ground). Then check your vehicle and trailer connectors while also looking for any damaged wiring along the brake circuit.

Troubleshooting an issue that only shows up sometimes though can be really difficult so you may also need to take your towing setup in to a shop and have them inspect it as well.

expert reply by: Jon G