Trailer Brakes Activate Every Time Turn Signal is Used

Question

Question:

Hi. I install electric brakes in my trailer. Brakes work but every time I use the turn signal the brakes start braking with the turn signal too. every blink stop and go. What I did wrong. Thanks

asked by: Rey

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you wired the brakes into the combined stop/turn signal circuit on the trailer. Trailers use what is called a combined system meaning that the brake lights and turn signals are on the same tire. So when you are using the turn signal the wire is energized and will apply the trailer brakes when the light blinks.

To use the electrical trailer brakes you have to have a dedicated wire just for the brakes and you must use a brake controller in the tow vehicle. The most common set up is to have a 7-Way blade style trailer connector on both the tow vehicle and the trailer.

I can make some recommendations but I would need to know the year, make, and model of the vehicle and what type of trailer connector it is using (4-Way, 5-Way, 6-Way, or 7-Way).

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Nick

6/6/2024

Hi Michael I have exactly the same problem On my Silverado 3500 2005 6.6 LS I have brand new brake control Brand new junction box Brand new electric brake The connection For the lights from the trailer is 4 way wire, The trailer brake is separate wire I bought 14 ga wire for the brake. What you recommend.

Reply

Jerred H.

6/6/2024

@Nick It sounds like you need a Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller item # ETBC7 to add a 7-Way connector to your Silverado. Then for your trailer you would need a 7-way connector like item # H20044. If you already have a junction box like item # 3375601101 then you'll just need the wire you mentioned.

Reply

Answer 1

Have you tested the brake controller output on the 2025 Silverado's 7-way and confirmed that it's sending power back to the trailer when the manual override is being activated? When you say the brakes aren't activating as they should do…

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Answer 2

Hey Tim, it sounds like your Grand Design may have electric over hydraulic brakes but I am not totally sure. If that's true make sure your brake controller is put in hydraulic mode. Otherwise an aftermarket brake controller that was designed to…

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Answer 3

I have to go off the GM dealership recommendation. If they are saying you need the Hydrastar #HBA-CAM or Dexter #DX35FR adapter module for your factory brake controller to work with your electric over hydraulic brake actuator, then I can't really…

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Answer 4

The integrated brake controller of a 2012 Ford F-350 is SUPPOSED to be compatible with electric over hydraulic brake actuators on trailers but what we've found is that a lot of integrated truck brake controllers just don't work consistently…

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Answer 5

As you can see on the attached photo, the wiring diagram for the actuator shows there can be a 25-40 amp circuit breaker in-line with the black wiring which goes from the battery's positive terminal to power the actuator. This is actually only…

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Answer 6

Thanks for reaching out, Jim! The Roadmaster Single Park Light Diode #RM-690 will work great for this application, and I'm glad to hear others have been successful using it! You'll want to install the diode on the wire connected to the 1…

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Answer 7

The Grand Design Solitude 310GK uses a Lippert 1621 pin box so the correct Reese Goose Box 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Air Ride Coupler Adapter is part #RP85FR. If you wanted to confirm, you'd simply look for the model number which will usually be on…

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Answer 8

From what I've determined, the OEM brake controller on your Silverado isn't compatible with electric over hydraulic braking systems. If your were using a HydraStar brake actuator like #HBA16, the #HBA-CAM adapter unit you mentioned would work…

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Answer 9

According to Dexter, their electric over hydraulic actuators should be compatible with the OE brake controllers, but in practice we find that is not always the case. We have found that the GM OE brake controller is not compatible with other electric…

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Answer 10

According to the folks at Hydrastar, what you have occurring is caused by the incompatibility of pre 2019 GM OEM brake controllers with the actuators used by electric over hydraulic braking systems which leads to inconsistent braking performance.…

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Answer 11

There isn't anything like an autonomous controller that would step up if the factory controller fails. I'd simply bypass the existing factory brake controller. The GM ITBC, although it works better now than the earlier models has been…

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Answer 12

Hello Rick, thanks for reaching out. The 7,000 lb axle on your 2021 Grand Design Solitude 310GKR uses a standard bearing combination, so finding compatible disc brakes will be easy. Here is what I recommend: - DeeMaxx Disc Brake Kit - 13"…

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