Troubleshooting Over Load Reading on a Draw-Tite Activator III Brake Controller

Expert Reply:

There are a couple of reasons why the display would read OL or overload when the trailer is connected. The first is that there may be a short in the blue wire which is the brake feed circuit from the vehicle. Trace the blue wire on the trailer back making sure it is not pinched or shorted out anywhere.

The second, and more likely situation, is that the brakes on the trailer are shorted or overloaded. You will need to trouble shoot the trailer brakes per the brake manufacturers instructions. When you remove the hubs if the brake magnets are showing copper windings then the magnets are worn and will need to be replaced (see link).

expert reply by: Bob G