Caution trailer brakes - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-27-2021, 04:09 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Name: Steve
Trailer: 2018, 21ft escape— 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie
NW Wisconsin
Posts: 4,500
Caution trailer brakes

It was 40 degrees out today so I decided to pull the wheels off the passenger side of my trailer so I could take them in for tire replacement
When I got the wheels removed (Dual axle) , I notice 2 blue wires hanging in mid air by one wheel . The brake connections had broken at the crimp sleeves
Not a difficult fix but if I had not pulled the wheels I may never have found the problem
I will now add checking the brake wiring to my Spring / Fall maintenance schedule
steve dunham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2021, 04:44 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
Send a message via Yahoo to Darwin Maring
Here in Virginia we must have a safety inspection each year if the trailer has brakes. They check lights, brakes and emergency disconnect switch.
Darwin Maring is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2021, 04:46 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
Send a message via Yahoo to Darwin Maring
An ease way to do a check is with a compass. You have someone activate the brakes and you place a compass near the hub and if the electro magnets are energized, the compass needle will move.
Darwin Maring is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2021, 05:23 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Trailer: Bigfoot Silver Cloud -1988
Posts: 1,539
Send a message via Yahoo to Kevin A
Glad you found the faulty brakes before the first trip!
Kevin A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2021, 05:57 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Name: Steve
Trailer: 2018, 21ft escape— 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie
NW Wisconsin
Posts: 4,500
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin A View Post
Glad you found the faulty brakes before the first trip!
Thank You — We have our first trip planned for May 2021 but it is contingent on us getting our Covid vaccination shots - So far it doesn’t look promising
We were #300 on the list in late January and as of last Friday we had moved up the list to # 270
All we can do is wait and hope
steve dunham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2021, 06:58 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Name: JD
Trailer: Scamp 16 Modified (BIGLY)
Florida
Posts: 2,445
One thing I like about the P3 is the current readout on the dash. If you are used to the brake setup you will immediately know it a brake is not making connection.
redbarron55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2021, 09:21 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Name: Gordon
Trailer: 2015 Scamp (16 Std Layout 4) with '15 Toyota Sienna LE Tug
North Carolina
Posts: 5,155
Quote:
Originally Posted by redbarron55 View Post
One thing I like about the P3 is the current readout on the dash. If you are used to the brake setup you will immediately know it a brake is not making connection.
Its even better than that.. you don't even need to go to the display of current (or voltage) because the P3 (and maybe P2 also?) will show an error condition in the situation with the broken wire that the OP described.
Attached Thumbnails
P3ManualPage10.jpg  
gordon2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2021, 10:12 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Raspy's Avatar
 
Name: John
Trailer: Roamer 1
Smith Valley, Nevada
Posts: 2,879
Gordon,
Will that show if one out of four is disconnected? Or is it more an indicator that the plug is not connected?

Darwin,
How does the inspector know all four brakes are working? I like the compass idea. That is beautifully simple.
__________________
I only exaggerate enough to compensate for being taken with a grain of salt.
Raspy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 07:44 AM   #9
Raz
Senior Member
 
Raz's Avatar
 
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
The P2 Prodigy controllers pulse the line. If you sit in the trailer quietly you can hear it. I believe they look for a current draw. Since the controller can be used for multiple axles, they all would need to be open to get the n.c. reading. Unlike the P3, a numerical reading is voltage.

But, if you know the magnet current, by placing an ammeter between the 12 volt pin and the brake line pin on the 7 pin socket, you can determine if all your magnets are connected. For example, my single axle brake magnets draw a nominal 2.5 A. each. Ideally I should read 5.0 A. Typically, I get a little less depending on the trailer battery charge and how long I leave the magnets connected. Since Dexter doesn't specify what voltage was used, I assume any reading above 4.25 A., things are good. Of course the condition of the magnets requires inspection. A good argument for periodic servicing.
Raz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 10:03 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Raspy's Avatar
 
Name: John
Trailer: Roamer 1
Smith Valley, Nevada
Posts: 2,879
Raz, It seems all, or many modern trucks, with built in brake controllers use the same strategy to prove the trailer brakes are connected. A pulsed voltage is sent down the line about once per second looking for a complete circuit instead of an open circuit. This caused me some trouble on the Black Series trailer because it flashed the tail lights. It looked sort of like the flashers were on, all the time. I tried a couple of ways to make it stop, and finally re-wired the brake circuit from the tongue back and snipped off the factory wiring back near the axles.

It seems the brake test pulses were feeding back through the breakaway battery, through diodes connecting it to the lighting circuit, and firing the LED tail lights. I removed the breakaway battery, its charger and the interconnecting diodes, to simplify the system. Now the breakaway system is powered by the house batteries, which are always connected to the tow when the trailer is connected to the tow.
__________________
I only exaggerate enough to compensate for being taken with a grain of salt.
Raspy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 10:13 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Name: JD
Trailer: Scamp 16 Modified (BIGLY)
Florida
Posts: 2,445
Once you have basically measured your at rest brake current you can compare each time you hook up and for that matter when you are stopped.
It will let you know if the brakes are not connected, which has warned me several times when corrosion has interrupted the connection in my LED adapter cable.
redbarron55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 10:14 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
AC0GV's Avatar
 
Name: Kenneth
Trailer: Scamp
Wisconsin
Posts: 1,858
Registry
Testing brake wiring

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve dunham View Post
I will now add checking the brake wiring to my Spring / Fall maintenance schedule

Measuring current will let you know if the wiring is good. Connect the amp meter from the 12-volt pin to the brake pin and you should measure the full current of the brakes.
Mine is a single axle and the 10-amp max meter works for me. If you have a tandem axle you will need a bigger meter.
Attached Thumbnails
BRAKE I.jpg  
AC0GV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 11:31 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Name: Michael
Trailer: Trail Cruiser
Alberta
Posts: 825
Good to know and easy to do.
Mike_L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 11:32 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Name: Gordon
Trailer: 2015 Scamp (16 Std Layout 4) with '15 Toyota Sienna LE Tug
North Carolina
Posts: 5,155
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspy View Post
Gordon,
Will that show if one out of four is disconnected? Or is it more an indicator that the plug is not connected?
...
Thats a good question and I am not sure enough to say.
However as others have pointed out, the P3 does have screens to display voltage or current (amps). So if you check the readings when stopped, and later at stop you check again and the current is 3/4 of the original value or less, then that would be a good clue that at least one brakes were not connected.
gordon2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 11:56 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
Send a message via Yahoo to Darwin Maring
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspy View Post
Gordon,
Will that show if one out of four is disconnected? Or is it more an indicator that the plug is not connected?

Darwin,
How does the inspector know all four brakes are working? I like the compass idea. That is beautifully simple.
Test it at each hub.
Darwin Maring is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 12:02 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
Send a message via Yahoo to Darwin Maring
Me, I use the gravel test.
B 4 Going on a trip I go forward and lock the camper brakes and and the wheels will dig into the gravel. Once on pavement, I burn off the winter rust to insure I have good brakes.
Darwin Maring is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 12:59 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Name: Michael
Trailer: Trail Cruiser
Alberta
Posts: 825
Been there Darwin, done that LOL
Mike_L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 01:09 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Raspy's Avatar
 
Name: John
Trailer: Roamer 1
Smith Valley, Nevada
Posts: 2,879
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darwin Maring View Post
Me, I use the gravel test.
B 4 Going on a trip I go forward and lock the camper brakes and and the wheels will dig into the gravel. Once on pavement, I burn off the winter rust to insure I have good brakes.
I do the same thing, every time we leave.
__________________
I only exaggerate enough to compensate for being taken with a grain of salt.
Raspy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 01:50 PM   #19
Raz
Senior Member
 
Raz's Avatar
 
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
When measuring the current, I suggest metal strips inserted into the socket. This will avoid pitting damage to the socket conductors. I've used old double sided pc board or folded strips of roofing tin.
Raz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2021, 02:07 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
CarlD's Avatar
 
Name: Carl
Trailer: LiL Hauley
Syracuse, NY
Posts: 656
I like the compass idea, or use your new clamp on AC/DC ammeter. You can't take your money with you, and your heirs would love to have one!

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Clamp-M...s%2C185&sr=8-5
__________________
Your heirs will inherit money and stuff when you are gone. You can only save or spend money, but you can do things with stuff, so they are going to inherit stuff!
CarlD is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
brakes


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Scam? Proceed with caution... Frankly I wouldn't touch this with a 10 ft pole! Robin G Referrals: Molded Fiberglass Trailers 6 08-24-2010 09:39 PM
Caution - Shady underworld Boler flippers at play Darren C General Chat 47 07-09-2007 08:06 AM
CAUTION - New Virus Bigfoot Mike Jokes, Stories & Tall Tales 11 01-10-2007 07:32 AM
Caution - Shady underworld Boler flippers at play Classified Archives 0 01-01-1970 12:00 AM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:16 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.