electric brake issues for trailer

I recently drove the family to Louisiana for some fishing. At my friends estate, it is few hundred feet from the ramp to the main house. The trailer was locked up as we backed it into the main garage. Our host said he and his dad had had the same problem last time out.

The electrics locked up on the trailer when backing the slight incline. After a little root cause on my part I noticed that there is a fail safe (mechanical) that engages the brakes when inclination between ball and receiver exceeds an adjustable limit.

Just felt inclined to pass that on. (pun intended)

cr3

If the trailer has electric brakes, then you definetly need an electric brake controller (some late model / high dollar trucks have them built in, but it's rare, and you would have needed to ask for it when you got the truck).

A dump trailer with a seven pin will need a heavy guage power line run to the connector as well (for charging the battery on the hydro pump). Get on the net and look up your trailer manufacturer and see if you can get an owners manual.

Don't forget your fuses!

Unless you're "inclined" to have somthing like CR3 which is not the normal you do need a regular electric brake controller.

You also need a good wiring diagram to get your wiring correct. (should come with your new controller or get one from your friendly local RV dealer) It appears that you have a wire in the wrong place causing your brakes to activate...not good...causes fires and considerable loss of money if you pull it down the road.

Unless you're "inclined" to have somthing like CR3 which is not the normal you do need a regular electric brake controller.

The trailer was equipped with controller some fancy kind of digital dispaly unit under the column. Actually the mechanical feature on the trailer tongue is common. Mind you it was also a very expensive 2006 boat ( can't remember but will post). It is a common feature and seems that quite a few folks overlook it.

Older trucks did not send power to the braking circuit on trailers unless they were equipped with controllers. The newer trucks need a controller to regulate the power in the braking circuit. Learned this when I tried to connect my 2000 Chevy Silverado to a trailer to move it around the building. Would not move until the wires were unplugged.

The Mechanic