Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes Randomly Locking Up When Brakes are Used Lightly
Updated 09/29/2025 | Published 09/08/2025
Question:
I tow a 4000lb travel trailer with a Jeep Gladiator Max Tow. I am using a Curt wireless brake controller with the Output Gain set at 70 and the Sensitivity Boost set to 6. This has worked well for me but out of the blue the trailer brakes have starting to grab when braking at slow speeds. I know I need to test different settings but wondering what a good place to start would be. I should mention that Ive only taken 5 trips with this camper. Had the axle replaced under warranty after the 1st trip. I went through the burnishing process and brakes worked fine during trips 2-4. I first noticed the braking issue a few weeks after that when bringing my camper home for the storage lot to pack up for trip 5.
asked by: Kerry Q
Expert Reply:
Hey Kerry, that to me sounds like a problem with the stop/turn signal light circuit(s) shorting out to the brake output circuit of the brake controller which is then causing the brakes to get the full 12 volts when the brakes are touched. You can test this pretty easy if you feels the brakes pulse pretty hard with either of the blinkers. Does the Curt Echo # C51180 have any error messages or display anything strange when this happens?
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug-in w/ Bluetooth App - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Plug-In
- Smartphone App
- Under-Dash
- Up to 2 Axles
- Smartphone Display
- Multiple Trailers
- CURT
more information >
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Jameson C.
9/29/2025
Hey Kerry, did you have a chance to check if the Curt Echo brake controller shows any error messages or unusual displays when the issue occurs? I'm asking because understanding your experience could help others facing similar problems.