Trailer Brake Malfunction on Feather-Lite Horse Trailer

Updated 08/07/2019 | Published 08/06/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Pro Series Pilot Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Time Delayed

(31)

$69.53

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.89

Question:

HELLO- AT A LOSE OF WHAT IS WRONG- I HAVE A OLDER FEATHER LITE HORSE TRAILER WITH TRAILER BRAKES- EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY- I WENT TO HOOK UP TO IT AND THERES AN ISSUE WITH THE TRAILER BRAKES- WHEN I PLUG THE TRAILER IN ALL LIGHTS WORK AS THEY SHOULD. THE BRAKE CONTROLLER IN THE TRUCK LIGHTS UP AND SAYS CONNECTED, EVERYTHING LOOKS NORMAL UNTIL I APPLY THE BRAKE- THE CONTROLLER NO LONGER SAYS CONNECTED AND WONT SAY CONNECTED UNLESS I RESTART THE TRUCK. I THANK THOUGHT THERE MAY BE A CONTROLLER ISSUE- SO I WENT AND TESTED THE TRUCK ON THREE OTHER TRAILERS- ALL THREE TRAILERS WORKED PERFECT AND THE CONTROLLER OPERATES AS IT SHOULD WITH NO ISSUES SO I RULED OUT THE TRUCK. THE ONLY OTHER THING I CHECKED IN THE HORSE TRAILER WAS THE BREAKAWAY SWITCH BUT SEEMS TO BE WORKING. I WOULD ASSUME THE CIRCUIT IN THE TRAILER IS COMPLETE IF ITS SAYING CONNECTED WHEN I PLUG IN THE TRAILER TO THE TRUCK- IM AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO CHECK NEXT WITH THE TRAILER- FEATHER LITE RUNS ALL THE WIRES THROUGH THE FRAME OF THE TRAILER MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TEST CIRCUITS- ANY ADVISE WOULD BE APPRECIATED BEFORE I TEAR THE TRAILER APART AND REWIRE THE ENTIRE THING- THANKS! JOE

asked by: Joseph B

Expert Reply:

Since your brake controller is working when you attach to a different trailer and this issue is only occurring when you apply the brakes, we can isolate this issue to the brake wire on your trailer side. Since the brake circuit wire only receives power when the brakes are applied, you would only be able to accurately test for a completed circuit when the brakes are depressed. If the wire has become disconnected, broken or frayed it could be causing this short/malfunction.

There could also be an issue with the ground wire for the brake magnets; most of the time the trailer brakes are grounded to the frame and over time, a large amount of debris, dirt and rust can accumulate at the brake magnet grounds. It would be a good idea to check those grounds and make sure they look like they're still in good condition or repair as needed. This would also be a good time to remove the hubs and check the magnets themselves; look for abnormal wear or copper wiring exposed which are both signs the magnets need to be replaced.

If these steps haven't isolated the problem you will need to trace back the brake wire through the trailer looking for damaged sections that may be exposed to the frame and replace this wiring as needed with new wire. You can get new wire by the foot similar to # 10-1-1 .

If none of these solutions seem to work on this trailer, please let me know and I will continue to troubleshoot with you. I've also linked a help article on trailer wiring troubleshooting that is going to go over a lot of what I covered in this answer, but will be a good reference to refer back to.

expert reply by: Erik B