Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes Not Engaging But Brake Controller Is Working

Question:

Hello brakes aren’t coming G on with foot or the slide the problem isn’t the two unit I haul Campers for a living. Got home and pulled the fifth wheel out of our back forty slid the brake controller and the trailer brakes failed to engage Was fine when we pared it last September

asked by: Steve B

Expert Reply:

Since you are confident that the issue is not with the brake controller itself, I recommend starting by checking that the connector on the trailer does not have debris or corrosion in it causing the brake output signal to not make its way to the trailer's brakes.

If the connector checks out, you will need to check the brake output wire coming from the 7-way connector to the brake assemblies for any damage or loose connections. If you find any damage, you will need to replace that section of wire with # 10-1-1 and heat shrink butt connectors # DW05745-5 for a weather tight connection.

Lastly you will want to make sure that one wire from each brake magnet is connected to a power wire, and the other wire is grounded to clean, corrosion free metal.

I went ahead and included a link to a helpful article on wiring for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C