Troubleshooting Weak Trailer Brakes that Use 16 Gauge Wire

Published 10/15/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 10" - Right Hand - 3,500 lbs

(308)

$87.31

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(109)

$1.91

Question:

everything is new and was sold to me from a dealer to replaced what i had taken in to show him. rebuilding - everything is dexter 23-26 and 23-27 10x2.25 3.5k with drums 4 wheels - magnets all read 3.2 ohms as they should - electrical test shows 12 volts at each corner with controller set at 10 - grounds are new - weather pack connectors at each wheel for brake wire and ground New for easy testing - junction box connector all new - trailer cable new - double checked install of components everything is on the right sides magnet linkage arms all face to the front, making the small brake shoe the leading shoe as it should be. - tried brakes with trailer brake emergency disconnect removed for circuit just in case i had a short. the same weak brakes - brake controller set at 10 tried with 2 different trucks same issue - only thing i can find that is out from what the manual states is wire size for the brake wire should be 10 or 12 gauge my trailer is 25 feet and original wiring has a 16 gauge. i have not done an amp test yet as i need to make a jump out connector. do you think this is my problem or am i overlooking something

asked by: Steve

Expert Reply:

The last thing you mentioned is definitely the issue. 16 gauge wire is way too thin to carry the amperage needed to activate your brakes strongly. You should replace all of the wiring with 10 gauge wire like our part # 10-1-1 which is sold by the foot.

expert reply by: Jameson C