Electric brake issues
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Posting Guru
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From: North Carolina
Hey Greywolf, I already pulled one wheel off. Everything looked as it should. This is an 06 model camper. Everything looked great on the wheel that I pulled. The magnet was in place and I reassembled. I checked the wire routing on the magnets also. These are Dexter axles and If I could find out what the ohm reading was supposed to be I could probably trace it down from there. You don't happen to know what it is do you? Could you find out from the dealership you are working for? Thanks for the info.
Fleet Owner
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: California & Oregon
I had similar problem recently. I have a Prodigy controller.
I was getting all the codes, but intermitantly. Drove me nuts.
Went to RV dealership. Borrowed a 5th wheel. Hooked it to my truck . Drove it around. Eliminated my truck and controller.
I had checked wiring on trailer first but returned, and did closer check.
Jacked up wheels, pulled drums!! There is a retainer clip holding wires. In one of drums a wire was not in retainer clip. Where it went around brake armature it had rubbed a bare spot. This would ground out system, showed overload, power loss,and short codes. With the wire moving ever so slightly the brakes would work then not work.
I'd recommend as previous poster pull drums check all wiring in there carefully and repack those wheel bearings. Hopefully this will be your problem area.
I was getting all the codes, but intermitantly. Drove me nuts.
Went to RV dealership. Borrowed a 5th wheel. Hooked it to my truck . Drove it around. Eliminated my truck and controller.
I had checked wiring on trailer first but returned, and did closer check.
Jacked up wheels, pulled drums!! There is a retainer clip holding wires. In one of drums a wire was not in retainer clip. Where it went around brake armature it had rubbed a bare spot. This would ground out system, showed overload, power loss,and short codes. With the wire moving ever so slightly the brakes would work then not work.
I'd recommend as previous poster pull drums check all wiring in there carefully and repack those wheel bearings. Hopefully this will be your problem area.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
Another and very direct way to check electric brakes is to jack up one side at a time of the trailer and have someone apply the brakes while turning the raised wheel(s).
They will grab or not, and/or be solidly locked or not.
Last thing on earth you need is a dragging wheel, and while you're at it - repack the bearings!
They will grab or not, and/or be solidly locked or not.
Last thing on earth you need is a dragging wheel, and while you're at it - repack the bearings!
Last edited by Greywolf; Oct 1, 2006 at 08:33 PM.
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From: North Carolina
Thanks coastdriver. I didn't want to have to go through all that but I guess thats all thats left.
Greywolf, as far as jacking the trailer up.... I already did that. All the wheels grabbed tight and held until the brakes were released. Looks like it's time to get greasy now. I do have EZ lube axles so it will be a little easier. This will give me a reason to put teflon wheelbearing grease in anyway. I'll let you know how I make out. I hate intermittent problems!
Greywolf, as far as jacking the trailer up.... I already did that. All the wheels grabbed tight and held until the brakes were released. Looks like it's time to get greasy now. I do have EZ lube axles so it will be a little easier. This will give me a reason to put teflon wheelbearing grease in anyway. I'll let you know how I make out. I hate intermittent problems!
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Central California Coast
I had a similar problem with my 2006 F250 with tow command and 2005 Airstream trailer. The trailer brakes would work fine when first starting to tow, and would intermittently short out after driving a couple miles. The problem seemed to be heat and motion related. As the brakes heated up while driving, they would invariably fail. Hot weather seemed to speed up the failure. Standing still they seemed to work fine.
I hitched my trailer to my neighbors truck with Prodigy controller and bingo...same problem. This eliminated the truck. Took the trailer into my Airstream dealer as it's still on warranty. I made sure I took the service manager for a ride while the problem was occuring so he wouldn't think I was crazy. I made sure he understood the problem only occured while driving.
It took them a week and a half to troubleshoot it. It turned out to be two things...a bad ground between the battery and brakes, and a loose brake magnet that was rubbing the wire and causing a short. Both problems were fixed and everything works great now.
Hope you resolved your problem by now *freek.
I hitched my trailer to my neighbors truck with Prodigy controller and bingo...same problem. This eliminated the truck. Took the trailer into my Airstream dealer as it's still on warranty. I made sure I took the service manager for a ride while the problem was occuring so he wouldn't think I was crazy. I made sure he understood the problem only occured while driving.
It took them a week and a half to troubleshoot it. It turned out to be two things...a bad ground between the battery and brakes, and a loose brake magnet that was rubbing the wire and causing a short. Both problems were fixed and everything works great now.
Hope you resolved your problem by now *freek.
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Posting Guru
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From: North Carolina
I had checked one wheel previously and all was OK. I only had time to pull one this week but I have tomorrow off so I plan on getting the other two off and have a look at them. I went to get on the computer today at the house and my wonderful son fried it 2 days ago so I have to go shopping for a new computer also. If I get it fixed and get a new computer this weekend I'll let you know how I made out. If I don't get a new computer this weekend I'll post how I made out on Monday. Thanks for all the input, it's sites like this that make it easier to find repairs for stupid problems that we encounter everyday! 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
It is sites like this that apply a really simple logical approach to problem solving:
"Let's all pool what we know, so that we can all learn..."
~Dutch
Last edited by Greywolf; Oct 6, 2006 at 09:03 PM.
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From: North Carolina
Well here's the update! Coastdriver, you were dead on for my problem. I went out camping this weekend and had the same problems.... OL, SH, ect. When I got home I pulled off the rest of the wheels that I hadn't pulled off already. On the last one I found the little retainer clip had popped off and the wire had a hole rubbed in it. It was shorting out intermittently and giving me a fit! I taped up the wire and all is good now. I did find one other wire starting to rub a little and taped that also. I also put a small split loom over the wires to prevent future problems. I'm gonna hook it up this weekend and tow it around town. I got my hitch all dialed in this weekend also. It towed nice before but now it tows REALLY nice! I was getting a little porposing on bumps so I tilted the head back by one washer and that was all it needed! Thanks for all the help!
All Right!! I know what a frustrating thing it is to find the intermittent problems. Having this pool of knowledge from which to draw probable solutions makes life a bit less complicated.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
I would recommend shrink fit tube instead of tape on the wires if you find time for it. Electrical tape gets messy over time, and unravels - shrink fit tube will not do that.
Even if you have to clip the wire and solder it after slipping the shrink fit down the wire to make it happen.
This is better than a crimp-on splice, and it is the wrong place for a wire nut too.
BRAKE DRUMS GET HOT!
Done right - it will outlast the coach.
Even if you have to clip the wire and solder it after slipping the shrink fit down the wire to make it happen.
This is better than a crimp-on splice, and it is the wrong place for a wire nut too.
BRAKE DRUMS GET HOT!
Done right - it will outlast the coach.
Last edited by Greywolf; Oct 17, 2006 at 08:00 PM.
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Hey Greywolf, I figured with the tape and the split loom it shouldn't go anywhere. It fits pretty snug over the area. If it does give me a problem or next time I pack the bearings I will try the heat shrink. Thanks for the help guys! This place never ceases to amaze me!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
Where else can you find artisans and technicians who devote their time just for the heck of it, eh? 
Something else - if you can find "Spiral Wrap" wire loom covering, go with one size smaller than the bundle looks - because it will wrap up tight instead of hanging loosely. And always space splices apart from eachother along the wire lengths.
Something else - if you can find "Spiral Wrap" wire loom covering, go with one size smaller than the bundle looks - because it will wrap up tight instead of hanging loosely. And always space splices apart from eachother along the wire lengths.
Last edited by Greywolf; Oct 17, 2006 at 08:53 PM.