Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes Not Working On 2017 Forest River Wolf Pup 16BHS

Updated 06/02/2021 | Published 05/31/2021

Question:

I have a 2017 Wolf Pup 16bhs camper towed with a Toyota 4runner. Lots of trouble with the trailer brakes not working. Wires on passenger side brake assembly were all burned up so I replaced that side brake assembly. Still not working. I replaced the breakaway box at the front A-frame, circuit testing it and its good, brakes still not working. Replaced the brake controller from a bluetooth version to standard that comes pre-wired. Still not working. Ive cleaned the 7 pin out but have not cleaned with alcohol or anything but brakes still not working. Does the trailer battery need to be hooked up for trailer brakes? That doesnt seem right. Do I need to replace the brake assembly on driver side as well even though I dont see any burned or exposed wires or visible open circuits? That may be my next step. Should I replace the entire black wire of the 7-pin all the way to junction box? Or take off protectant coil around wires and look at wires from junction back to brakes? I need help.

asked by: Adam E

Expert Reply:

I would start with doing a few troubleshooting steps to see exactly what the issue is, and where you are losing power.

In the junction box on your 2017 Forest River Wolf Pup 16BHS there should be a blue wire that is the brake output wire that is what sends power to the brakes for them to apply.

When you apply the brakes using the manual override have a friend test this wire with a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to see if power is making its way there.

If you have power then keep applying the brakes but check the wires running to the brake assemblies, looking for where it loses power.

If you have power to the assemblies but the brakes are not working make sure that one wire of the magnets on the assemblies is grounded to the frame, and the other is connected to the brake output wire.

Now if you do NOT have power to the brake output wire when the brakes are applied via the manual override you will want to test the 7-way connector on your Toyota 4Runner with the circuit tester.

If there is no power to the 5 o'clock pin of the connector when the manual override is applied then there is an issue in the wiring between the trailer brake controller and 7-way, or an issue with your controller. I recommend cutting the blue wire at least 6" from the back of the controller and testing it with the circuit tester with the manual override applied. If you have power then there is a damaged section of wire and you will need to find it and replace it. If no power then the controller is bad and will need to be replaced.

I included a link to a helpful article on wiring for you to take a look at.