Troubleshooting When Trailer Brakes Harder Than Tow Vehicle

Updated 02/20/2020 | Published 08/27/2019

Question:

I have a Toyota Highlander towing a small ALine trailer. The Curt Echo is installed and seems to be working well. When I am braking to a stop,at about 10 mph, the vehicle or trailer seems to brake harder and kind of clunks to a stop. Adjustments to the Max Braking Force currently 45 or to the Sensitivity currently 3 do not seem to change this. Any suggestions?

asked by: Bob R

Expert Reply:

I called Curt to see if they have encountered this before with other users of the Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller # C51180. This isn't something that they have come across but did suggest you try dropping the max output setting by 5 and/or dropping your sync setting by 1 or 2 as adjustments that could help address your trailer lurch.

If that doesn't alone help, you can then try cleaning both the vehicle and trailer 7-Way connectors as it could just be a bad connection there. If neither of those addresses your issue, your trailer brakes could be set too tight and need to be adjusted.

I hope that helps but if you have further questions from here let me know.

expert reply by: Patrick R

Richard J.

2/4/2020

I have a similar/identical problem. Bought Echo last summer and used it on 2019 Airstream Bambi. Pull is 2018 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E lots of electronic stuff. It worked great, Then it sat from September. Now, same rig, it slams on the trailer brakes and releases them with a bad lurch. Shows connected. This is also intermittent: it doesnt start until you driven a mile or so. Going to clean connectors and see.

Jacob H.

2/5/2020

I would definitely clean the connectors off the vehicle 7 pole and the Curt Echo # C51180 to ensure that there is no corrosion. I would also check the app to make sure nothing has changed that may be causing this behavior. You can also visit our product page for more trouble shooting solutions.

Barbara P.

2/17/2020

We also purchased the Echo last summer August 2019, we tow a Nucamp 2020 T@B 400 Boondock Lite with a Toyota Tacoma. Worked great first few times we used it with approximately 3-4 weeks in-between usage. Then, about a month ago, we pulled the camper with a Ford F150 one day and our Toyota Tacoma the nextabout 150 miles each day. Had lots of problems with the trailer brakes lurching, grabbing, and being extremely sensitive. We adjusted output and sensitivity to lowest levels but that did not solve the problem. Any suggestions?

Jacob H.

2/18/2020

It sounds like you may have a corrosion issue. I would try removing the Curt Echo from your 7 pole and cleaning the pins on the Echo and the vehicle plug. The next thing I would check is the wiring on your Tacoma. Make sure all of the connections a still good and your ground is a clean ground.

Barbara P.

2/19/2020

Suggestions as to what to use to clean the pins? Just a soft dry cloth or a wet cloth or some type of cleaner?

Chris R.

2/20/2020

Using something as simple as white vinegar with a pipe cleaner may be enough for a good cleaning, depending on how much corrosion you're dealing with. If rust/debris is a bit more extensive spray the connector down with some PB Blaster first and then get after it with the white vinegar and pipe cleaner after letting it soak for a while.