How To Disconnect Power To Trailer Brakes on Gooseneck Trailer

Updated 04/15/2019 | Published 04/12/2019

Question:

My 16’ gooseneck trailer breaks are hanging up and I want to temp disconnect them... would removing the battery on the trailer disconnect the breaks?

asked by: Jennifer

Expert Reply:

The easiest way to temporarily disconnect power to the trailer brakes is to disconnect your brake controller. Unplug the brake controller plug from the back of the brake controller. The trailer brakes cannot draw power from the vehicle's battery if the brake controller is not plugged in. The only other way is to cut the brake wire from the trailer connector.

The trailer brakes are not powered from the trailer's battery, they are powered from the vehicle's battery and activated by the vehicle's stop light switch so disconnecting the trailer battery does not disconnect the trailer brakes.

It is a good idea to check the adjustment on the brake controller if the brakes are hanging up. You may have your brake controller intensity set too high. For example, the Tekonsha P3 brake controller part # 90195 allows you to adjust the power level and if it is too high then you can have sticky brakes. If you have manual adjusting brakes, you may need to make sure the brake assemblies are not adjusted too tight. You can back off the star wheel a half a turn if they are adjusted too tight.

If you can let me know a little bit more about what is happening with the brakes. Are they completely locking up? Are they electric or electric over hydraulic brakes? I can help you troubleshoot further.

expert reply by: Heather A