New Electric Trailer Brakes Not Working After Installation on 5th Wheel Trailer

Updated 05/26/2015 | Published 05/23/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(70)

$13.94

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(109)

$1.61

Question:

2008 Ford F-250 Super Duty pulling 2008 Cedar Creek Silverback 5th Wheel 10,500 lb dry weight w/ integrated brake controller Camping World recently installed new 12inch brakes on my camper. Ive been twice to pick it up and the brakes will not hold, even on 10.0 gain. The technician has adjusted them out again , but they still will not pass a pre-trip test. I hooked up a friends comparable 5th wheel yesterday and had no issues passing the brake test on 3.0 gain. Advice?

asked by: Will H

Expert Reply:

It is possible that the wire gauge used on the trailer is not large enough to handle the current required by the new brakes. We recommend using 10 gauge wire such as # 10-1-1 in these situations. Also, make sure that the magnets on the brakes are grounded to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces near the magnets.

You may also need to have the drums inspected to see if they need to be turned or replaced. If any grease got inside the drum or on the shoe pads then that would negatively affect braking and the shoes should be replaced.

Also, most brake assemblies will either go on the left side or right side of the trailer but are not interchangeable. Poor braking can occur is they are switched. If you are looking at a brake assembly with the drum off the arm that the magnet is attached to should be pointed forward with the magnet on the bottom of the assembly.

expert reply by: Michael H