Troubleshooting Curt Echo Mobile Brake Controller that Applies Brakes Hard

Updated 05/21/2024 | Published 01/04/2024

Question:

I have a 2023 Keystone Hideout 175BH camping trailer, towing with a 2019 VW Atlas, using a Curt Echo Mobile as the break controller between the two, and an iPhone. Ive been camping with the trailer a handful of times. The first time the break controller performed smoothly. Each trip since, the break controller is exhibiting a sensitive threshold where light breaking at slow speeds suddenly causes the break controller to heavily slam on the trailer breaks. This is not immediate - there is a threshold where I lightly press on the vehicle breaks and the break controller lightly applies the trailer brakes, then applying slight additional vehicle break pressure crosses the threshold and suddenly the trailer is breaking excessively. There is a jolt within the towing vehicle every time as the trailer disproportionately breaks. This is uncomfortable, unnerving, and I expect even dangerous in certain situations. This is also experienced as higher speeds, but is much less noticeable since the initial light break application has less effect on the high speed inertia of the two vehicles. I have tried multiple times to adjust the manual calibration in the controller profile of the Echo Mobile controller to find a sweet spot, as well as creating new profiles. I have also found this advice on e-trailer.com: However, this advice yielded no result as the controllers power indicator does not illuminate until both the vehicle and trailer connections are made, so it cannot be synced and calibrated with the trailer disconnected as described. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The camper has been nothing but frustrating and concerning to tow. Thanks so much,

asked by: Ben I

Expert Reply:

It to me sounds like an internal problem. But I would first check to make sure the wiring on the 7-way of your vehicle and trailer doesn't have a short from exposed wire. It almost sounds like the wiring from the 12 volt accessory circuit is shorting out to the output circuit when you hit the brakes which causes a quick application of full braking voltage.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Mark J.

5/11/2024

I have exactly the same problem as Ben. Worked fine at first now slams brakes hard. I’ve experienced this with 2 different tow vehicles and the trailer is just a year old. I haven’t done a thorough inspection but don’t suspect it’s faulty wiring

Jameson C.

5/13/2024

@MarkJ Try putting on both blinkers and see if either of them makes the brakes pulse. If so it's a wiring short on the trailer wiring. Otherwise it's the controller.

Mark

5/13/2024

@JamesonC Very good, I'll give that a try

Mark J.

5/20/2024

@JamesonC Hi Jameson, I've played around a bit with the set up. Followed closely the initialization procedure (start vehicle, start app, plug in Echo wait for solid blue, then plug trailer wait for solid green). I've not noticed any brake pulsing with either blinker or hazards. Checked connections from trailer plug pigtail to trailer wiring and seen untouched and intact from factory. Unfortunately, 2 things happened between the unit working fine and then the brakes grabbing on light application of the brake pedal: I had the solar system upgraded and the app moved from the original Echo to OneControlAuto. Exactly the same time actually as I had to move to the new app when I picked up the trailer from the solar installer. Only 2 other things I can add: 1) I experienced the same problem after setting up the unit for my daughter's car and phone (new pairing and set up). 2) Measured resistance on the trailer plug and found no continuity between ground and any of the lights but did see what looks like about 2 ohms between the blue brake controller output and ground (white). I'm not sure if that's what I would expect to see or not. What would be your next recommendation for trouble shooting on my end? Thanks, Mark