Should Only Driver's Side Trailer Brakes be Connected to Brake Controller Circuit

Published 12/20/2018

Question:

I have a dual axle tongue pull RV with electric brakes. I found that the factory only wired the left drivers side of both axles. Is this correct or should they all be wired to work?

asked by: Kenneth M

Helpful Expert Reply:

Just to be clear you are saying that only the brakes on the driver's side of your trailer are connected to the wiring for your brake controller? That shouldn't be the case at all as the braking on one side will cause that side to pull on your tow vehicle so at higher speeds your trailer will turn a bit when braking.

Double check the brakes on the right side of your trailer to see if they are actually connected to the brake controller circuit. You actually should be able to hear the brakes activate on the right side if you have someone sit in your tow vehicle and use the manual override of the brake controller to send full power back to the brakes.

If in fact those brakes aren't connected then you simply need to take 10 Gauge Wiring # 10-1-1 and run it from the brakes to the brake controller circuit. Your electric drum brakes should have 2 wires on them. It doesn't matter which one you connect to power and which one to ground as polarity doesn't matter.

Attached is a diagram of the typical wiring on a trailer as well as a helpful article on wiring for you to reference.

expert reply by: Jon G