Troubleshooting Burned Trailer Wiring and Trailer Brakes Not Working

Updated 03/05/2018 | Published 03/04/2018

Products Featured in This Question

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(108)

$1.61

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 12-10 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Yellow - Qty 5

(1152)

$8.16

Question:

Towing a 21 ft cougar travel trailer. My trailer brakes were acting up intermittently not working. I found one wire coming out of the left wheel was totally fried melted in a blob. They were twisted together with a wire coming out of the axel from the other tire and the other wire going towards the hitch. The other group of three were fine. I cut and repaired the melted connection but the wire going back to the hitch felt a little burnt as far as I could reach up in side the covered belly. When I hooked it to the truck I have zero brakes. Is they’re a fuse I may have blowen or is that black wire fried all the way to the hitch. If so what is the fix.

asked by: Cam D

Expert Reply:

If you ever find some wires that look like they could have been burned or don't look normal then it is always best to replace them. You need to first check your grounds and other wiring to make sure that they are secure and look good.

If the wire that activates the brakes on your trailer felt burned then you definitely need to replace it. You can do so using 10 Gauge Wire # 10-1-1 and some Butt Connectors # DW05745-5.

Check the connector on your trailer to make sure that it looks clean and is free of debris. It would also be best to check the connector on your tow vehicle as well. You can look in your owner's manual for your tow vehicle if there are any fuses for trailer brakes that may have blown, but since you said that some wiring felt burned I would have to guess that would be the problem.

Let me know if replacing the wiirng doesn't get the job done and I can help you troubleshoot further.

expert reply by: Jon G