Weird trailer electrical issue
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,404
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
Weird trailer electrical issue
I have a pretty good idea what my problem is...(other than what my wife keeps telling me it is) 
But here it is.....I noticed about a month ago...that my batteries seemed to be dying. So I cleaned the terminals, then all seemed well again...then today, I hauled the ATV's out to a local park, and when I went to leave, I almost had to get a jump start. So just to try...I disconnected my trailer, waited a few minutes then tried again..and it fired right up..turned over much better. Well I connected the trailer plug again and on the way home, it did seem like the trailer was dragging a bit....I thought maybe flat tire, (dual axles), but nope..they are fine...so it hits me....seems that my trailer brakes are, for some odd reason, always on...at least enough to put a drag on the vehicle, and when the truck isn't running...a drain on the batteries. Well I plan on just replacing the entire harness on the trailer just to be safe, but I was wondering if anyone else ever ran across this. I also remember that around a month ago when the batteries were dying, I had been hauling the trailer around. This is the first time I have ran into thei issue.
But here it is.....I noticed about a month ago...that my batteries seemed to be dying. So I cleaned the terminals, then all seemed well again...then today, I hauled the ATV's out to a local park, and when I went to leave, I almost had to get a jump start. So just to try...I disconnected my trailer, waited a few minutes then tried again..and it fired right up..turned over much better. Well I connected the trailer plug again and on the way home, it did seem like the trailer was dragging a bit....I thought maybe flat tire, (dual axles), but nope..they are fine...so it hits me....seems that my trailer brakes are, for some odd reason, always on...at least enough to put a drag on the vehicle, and when the truck isn't running...a drain on the batteries. Well I plan on just replacing the entire harness on the trailer just to be safe, but I was wondering if anyone else ever ran across this. I also remember that around a month ago when the batteries were dying, I had been hauling the trailer around. This is the first time I have ran into thei issue.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Sounds to me Like you may have an electric brake controller problem. On your controller you should have a sensitivity adjuster, try and turn it down as much as you can and see if that changes anything. but remember with it turned down all the way your trailer shouldn't have any brakes.
Mike
Mike
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Albemarle, NC
plus check the breakaway switch itself, and make sure it isn't pulled out enough to allow the battery to directly apply the brakes. if so, it will be constantly applying the brakes, but you should be able to "hear" that if you got close enough to the trailer when parked.
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,404
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
LMAO...Thats what I have been doing.....That will work until I replace the wiring. I was just curious is anyone else had this happen to them.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 240
Likes: 1
What kind of brake control? If you don't have a breakaway it sounds like that could be it. No batteries on the trailer?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
New User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Furlong, PA
Are you using a 7to 6 adapter. Some of them have 2 wires that need to be switched to work correctly (they are usually the only 2 you can switch). It sounds like your charge wire is powering your trailer brakes all the time.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
Yeah, but the power wire should be off when the truck is off. The brake controller can apply the brakes as long as there is battery power, so I also vote for the brake controller having an issue. Wouldn't be the first time I saw a brake controller with an issue.
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,404
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
I am leaning towards the controller now. I remember that when I first got it, (Ok...insert smack in the head here), while getting it out of the package, I dropped it, The casing fell open when it hit the floor and a couple of parts. I had to reassemble it So I think I am going to go buy another to see if it helps.