Brakes Lock Up On Horse Trailer When Connected To 2005 Ford F250 With Valley Brake Controller
Updated 08/20/2010 | Published 08/17/2010
Question:
I recently purchased a used 2005 Ford F250 HD 4X4 to tow my horse trailer an S and H with electric brakes. The truck came with a Valley Journey HD trailer brake control but with no instructions so I am not sure I am using it correctly. When I plug the wiring harness from the trailer to the truck the brakes are completely locked when I move the vehicles. I tried adjusting the settings but this did not correct the problem. If I unplug the wiring harness from the truck and tow the trailer there is no problem. Is there a problem with the controller or am I just doing it wrong?
asked by: Apryl C
Expert Reply:
It sounds like you are going to need to check the wiring on your whole towing setup. You will need to use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 and want to start by checking the brake controller wires to make sure they are connected properly.
You should have power into the controller on the black wire and power leaving the controller on the blue wire when the brake pedal is pressed, or the manual slide knob is activated. The red wire should have power on it only when the brake pedal is pressed. The white wire needs to be connected to a solid clean ground or preferably the negative battery post. I am sending a video link of how to test the brake controller.
If your 2005 Ford F250 truck has a factory installed 7-Way and is using the factory plug under the dash for the brake controller then the wiring on the truck should be correct. If the truck does not have the factory installed 7-Way then you will want to test the wiring on the truck. I am sending a link to a page that will show the trailer wiring diagrams and which wires have which function.
If you have a 7-Way connector on your truck and a 6-Way on your trailer and using an adapter to connect them, then it is possible that the adapter could be wired wrong. There are two accepted ways of wiring a 6 way plug. If your adapter uses the center pin for the 12V lead, and the trailer uses the center pin for the brake lead, then that could be causing your brakes to lock when you plug in the wiring harness.
I have a Hopkins Adapter 7 Pole To 6 Pole, # 47549, that allows the center pin to be wired as a 12V lead or a brake lead, whichever is needed to match your trailer.
Let me know if these suggestions help or if I can further assist you.
