Gauge Wire to Use for Trailer with Triple Axle Setup that is 43 Feet Long Overall

Updated 05/15/2020 | Published 05/14/2020

Question:

I have a brand new 43ft 5th wheel toyhauler. The brakes are all brand new, adjusted correctly, and burnished in per manufacturer Lippert suggestions. I still have to keep my brake controller set to 10, and Heavy electric, on my 2013 Ram Dually. The braking is still just moderate. Im curious if Id be better off using the ground side of the bonded wire for the electric brakes as another hot, and then have one hot brake wire, feed each respective side of the RV with a hot brake wire, to a distribution block, where I can run a wire from each of the 3 brakes, per side. Then I could simply use the trailer frame as a ground, to connect the other side of the magnets to. Currently, the trailer came from the manufacturer with a bonded 10 ga wire, that goes from the 1st axle, to the 2nd, to the 3rd. Dexter axle recommends an 8 ga wire for a 6 brake system, over 30ft from the hitch, to the axles. Im 31ft now.

asked by: RICK

Expert Reply:

It does sound like you need heavier gauge wire for the brake output circuit on your trailer to activate them properly. For that many axles and that length of trailer 10 gauge for the circuit just isn't going to cut it. I'd go with 8 gauge wire like Dexter recommends.

expert reply by: Jameson C