Trailer brakes not working
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5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2023
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Trailer brakes not working
I have a 2013 f350 6.7, just bought it. I've been hauling trailers for a while with my other truck but decided to start with this one. I noticed the truck felt like it was getting pushed around when stopping so I used the factory trailer brake adjuster on the dash to see if the trailer brakes were engaging. I got a "trailer disconnected" message even though the trailer was there... Connected.... Right behind me... And all the lights worked. I got out and checked the fuses in the passenger compartment and under the hood. Both are fine.
What do I need to look at next? The trailer brakes work on the other truck.
I'll clean the connectors but I really don't think that's it.
Also, I put a new drop down receiver and hitch on it. Could it not be connecting? The hitch isn't painted or anything.
What do I need to look at next? The trailer brakes work on the other truck.
I'll clean the connectors but I really don't think that's it.
Also, I put a new drop down receiver and hitch on it. Could it not be connecting? The hitch isn't painted or anything.
Last edited by mystang891; Aug 22, 2023 at 06:55 PM. Reason: Adding information
Trailering
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 18
Likes: 3
I've heard rumors that there are wire color differences between an 7-pin RV style plug and a 7-pin utility style plug; maybe the controller can't sense the trailer because a wire is out of place or something.
https://www.etrailer.com/question-292655.html
https://www.etrailer.com/question-292655.html
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,100
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Is this a utility trailer or is it wired like an RV? Sometimes they aren't wired the same. It's also possible that you just aren't getting a good enough ground. My flatbed trailer used to work flawlessly, then some neighborhood kids played on it and broke one of the light housings. Now I can't get that side to work with most vehicles because the ground isn't good enough, though for some reason it worked fine with the wife's old F150? I still don't quite understand that. I've redone most of the wiring, and have a new set of lights ready for it...if it would just stop raining long enough for me to do the work that would be great.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Home Base Nebraska
I have a 2013 f350 6.7, just bought it. I've been hauling trailers for a while with my other truck but decided to start with this one. I noticed the truck felt like it was getting pushed around when stopping so I used the factory trailer brake adjuster on the dash to see if the trailer brakes were engaging. I got a "trailer disconnected" message even though the trailer was there... Connected.... Right behind me... And all the lights worked. I got out and checked the fuses in the passenger compartment and under the hood. Both are fine.
What do I need to look at next? The trailer brakes work on the other truck.
I'll clean the connectors but I really don't think that's it.
Also, I put a new drop down receiver and hitch on it. Could it not be connecting? The hitch isn't painted or anything.
What do I need to look at next? The trailer brakes work on the other truck.
I'll clean the connectors but I really don't think that's it.
Also, I put a new drop down receiver and hitch on it. Could it not be connecting? The hitch isn't painted or anything.
Denny
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
I've heard rumors that there are wire color differences between an 7-pin RV style plug and a 7-pin utility style plug; maybe the controller can't sense the trailer because a wire is out of place or something.
https://www.etrailer.com/question-292655.html
https://www.etrailer.com/question-292655.html
Also, I checked and the lights do stay on when brakes are applied.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 891
From: East Central Ia
There is a plug on the back side of the factory 7 pin connector. All 7 pin plugs are to be wired the same way, there is a ground wire from the truck in the 7 pin connector. The trailer is not dependent on the hitch for ground contact.
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5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2023
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Well, I was wrong. Sometime between this truck and my other truck the trailers decided they didn't want to play well. It's not the truck. I tried yet another trailer and it's brakes worked fine. Looks like I have trailers which need brake work. Thanks for trying to help everyone.
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Logistics Pro
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Well, I was wrong. Sometime between this truck and my other truck the trailers decided they didn't want to play well. It's not the truck. I tried yet another trailer and it's brakes worked fine. Looks like I have trailers which need brake work. Thanks for trying to help everyone.
Basically on most trailers the brake wires aren't really all that protected, so any little thing getting under there (including a rodent) could cause an issue.
Good luck getting it fixed!
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