Bought used 2005 F250 w/integrated brake system - Started pulling 2005 Pilgrim pull-behind travel trailer to Myrtle Beach from Ohio. We went about 350 miles with no problems and then "trailer disconnected" (lasted 3-5 seconds) and "trailer fault" (hit reset to remove) messages came up on dash display. No trailer brakes during these times. No rain or wet conditions either. These messages came up about 150 times before we made it home. Ford dealer said the problem is with the trailer, truck checks OK ($82.00). Took truck and trailer to a local trailer dealer, dealer replaced wiring harness on trailer, that runs to the truck ($50.00) . Did not make it out of the parking lot before "trailer disconnected" came up. Took trailer to another trailer dealer. After having checked out truck and trailer, mechanic is saying that the truck is not sending enough power to trailer brakes (no bill yet). Truck is back at Ford dealer. Help!!! Is there a fix? If not, would I be able to put the brake controller I used with my F150 into the 250? Why would this system work for 350 miles if the truck is not putting out enough power to the brakes?

 

[font='Verdana','sans-serif']I have a 2005 f-350 that was having similar malfunctions when i drove to Kansas my truck was beeping about every 2 seconds to the point where it was a constant beep... After i got pissed at ford i took my truck in and made them fix it. Not only was my plug broken the entire harness was faulty from the factory so it was all under warranty. Take a trailer to ford with you so you can show them the problem or you will end up in and out many times before they can figure it out.[/font]

 

Had the same issue with our 05 on the east coast trip I thought it was the truck till i tried a prodigy and it was also giving messages then i looked for a bad ground but it turns out it was the brake wiring at the wheel it would short out momentarily when it hit the springs on the trailer I found it when I went to start cutting the wires at the wheels one at i time to isolate which one was bad I lucked out it was the first one I cut I rerouted the wires and had no more problems on the way home of course i put up with it for about 3 weeks of traveling

 

A good many times it IS the trailer. '05 F250 towed a 32'tt ok for several trips. Then on next to last trip kept getting disconnect beeps, trailer brakes not working most of the time. Went over the trailer with a fine tooth comb, changes plug, etc. No help. Tried truck on several other trailers - worked ok. Traded trailer for a 36' tt, controller worked fine....... your mileage may vary. (Just because you can't find the problem doesn't mean it's not there!).

 

Clean your trailer plug connection real good, then clean your trailer grond connection. Use a little dielectric grease on the connections. That will usually cure these problems.

 

I'll bet it's the trailer, too. I'd make sure there was a good ground on the trailer. If you don't have an ohm meter, then plug the trailer into the truck but leave it unhitched. Everything, including the brakes, should work (when pulling the lever on the control inside).

The other possibility would be chafed or worn through wires at the brakes themselves. You might get lucky and see a broken or worn wire (or somebody else's screwed up splice job) from the backing plate underneath. Otherwise, it's time to pull wheels and have a peek inside.

 

I have seen too many trailer's ( we have 35 with brakes at work) that once they go through a season (rain, snow & ice) they start to have wiring problems. Almost every trailer we have have flashing lights, brakes pulsing, etc. I have rewired most of them, finding that they use those darn scotch lok connectors with plain electrical tape. Re-do your splices. I have tried to blame our trucks (Ford and GM's) and it is always been the trailer.