How to Terminate Power to the Trailer Brakes When Towing

Updated 04/12/2013 | Published 04/09/2013

Question:

I have an Energizer 3 and the wire has pulled out of the left wheel of my camper trailer. I wish to turn off the power to the trailers brakes till I get a chance to have repairs done to the brake system. How do I do this Thanks

asked by: Chris M

Expert Reply:

There are several ways that you can cut off the power to your trailer brakes. The easiest option would be to simply unplug your brake controller. If the brake controller is disconnected, the brakes will not receive power.

If your brake controller was hardwired and cannot be unplugged, you could cut the brake output wire anywhere between the brake controller and the trailer brakes. The brake output wire is the blue wire coming from the brake controller. This wire color may be different at your vehicle connector or on your trailer since vehicle and trailer manufacturers do not typically follow a standard color code. I recommend using a circuit tester, like part # PTW2993, to test for the brake output circuit. If you do cut the wire, be sure to cut an area that would be easy to splice back together once the brakes are fixed.

If you do not want to cut wires on your trailer, you could remove the brake output wire from either the vehicle side or trailer side connector. If you can take your trailer connector apart on your vehicle or trailer, you could simply remove the wire from the terminal in the trailer connectors. I have attached a diagram showing which terminal the brake wire is attached to in the US style trailer side and vehicle side 7-way connector.

expert reply by: John H