Trailer brake issues - almost no brake power to trailer - Page 2

Iraqvet05 · 05-22-2018, 04:31 PM

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...fix-46946.html

mtedelen · 05-22-2018, 05:41 PM

So dealer called back and said when they tested they hooked up to a 14,000lb car trailer and the brake controller locked up the brakes just fine. So awesome.....

ALJO · 05-22-2018, 05:54 PM

All Rams leave the factory with Light Duty settings, just go into the menu and change the setting to HD electric and use the dial for fine adjustment.

mtedelen · 05-23-2018, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALJO

All Rams leave the factory with Light Duty settings, just go into the menu and change the setting to HD electric and use the dial for fine adjustment.

Heavy electric with gain set to 10 is just about the same as light electric set to 1. Already tried that....

homer1959 · 05-23-2018, 07:48 AM

why not trying a different truck...you know like looking interested in a new truck and taking it for a road test and hooking it up to your trailer :-) you will have some beef if all is fine

mtedelen · 05-23-2018, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1959

why not trying a different truck...you know like looking interested in a new truck and taking it for a road test and hooking it up to your trailer :-) you will have some beef if all is fine

I have a buddy's truck i'm hoping to hook up to this week. Just strange that the dealer hooked my truck up to their car trailer (14000 lbs) and was able to lock up the trailer brakes on that trailer. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll know if my buddies truck makes a difference.

homer1959 · 05-23-2018, 09:17 AM

If they really tried, Its going to be the same with the other truck... my bet is that trailer plug is the problem... since the brakes works fine with the emergency switch... well keep us in the loop :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtedelen

I have a buddy's truck i'm hoping to hook up to this week. Just strange that the dealer hooked my truck up to their car trailer (14000 lbs) and was able to lock up the trailer brakes on that trailer. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll know if my buddies truck makes a difference.

mtedelen · 05-23-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1959

If they really tried, Its going to be the same with the other truck... my bet is that trailer plug is the problem... since the brakes works fine with the emergency switch... well keep us in the loop :-)

Are you thinking trailer plug on the trailer? I'll keep everyone updated

bap · 05-23-2018, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtedelen

Are you thinking trailer plug on the trailer? I'll keep everyone updated

Yes, could be either corrosion in the pins or loose wires. Check both the pins on the side of the plug that plugs into the truck and where the wires go under the screws. They can get corroded in both places.

homer1959 · 05-23-2018, 10:10 AM

Yes the plug on the trailer must be the culprit since you have full power to your brake from the emergency switch that is connected directly to the brake from the battery

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtedelen

Are you thinking trailer plug on the trailer? I'll keep everyone updated

mtedelen · 05-25-2018, 03:19 PM

Update......

So strange. Had my buddy hook up and his brake controller locked up the brakes just fine. So this made me think it was my truck of course.

Then I went to an actual trailer shop and they used their fancy diagnostic tool which showed my plug was putting out correct voltage and amperage etc... almost 10v/ 10amps. So according to that the brake controller is doing what it’s supposed to be doing.....

So i Feel like I’m banging my head against a wall....

jasum · 05-25-2018, 03:37 PM

Why don't you take your truck and your trailer to the trailer shop??

mtedelen · 05-25-2018, 03:39 PM

I have a mobile guy coming by today to look at both....

jasum · 05-25-2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtedelen

I have a mobile guy coming by today to look at both....

I hope he figures it out. If not I would take it to trailer shop.

Good Luck

lucky1 · 05-29-2018, 07:15 PM

Any update. Having the same problem

mtedelen · 05-30-2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucky1

Any update. Having the same problem

No update as of yet. Still have a hard time it has anything to do with the trailer. When I had the plug voltage tested I think the guy using the machine may have been off om what the voltage coming out of the plug should have been.

With gain all the way up and using the manual trailer brake lever the voltage didn't climb much above 6-8 volts. That seems low to me? plus the fact that when my buddy hooked up to the truck my trailer brakes worked just fine. I also replaced the 7-way cable on the trailer thinking it may have gone bad, but still the same problem with the new cable.

Seems as though I'm loosing voltage on the truck side. I can feel the trailer brakes working, but even with the gain turned all the way up on controller, little to no braking power on the trailer.

Anyways, I have a third appointment with a different Dodge dealer today to look at my brake controller. I'll give this a shot first and if nothing comes of that I'll be heading to a local trailer shop to see what they can do.

Subaru297 · 05-30-2018, 09:45 AM

I can't remember where I read this and it was about Fords integrated controller but maybe the Ram does something similar. Apparently when you are going slowly the controller has a much reduced output. In the case of our Ford F250 this is supposed to occur around 40km/h so I was told to try manually engaging the trailer brakes going faster than 40. In my case it didn't change anything.

My situation does sound similar to yours so hopefully you get some answers. I can manually apply the trailer brakes and I get very minimal breaking but if the emergency cord gets pulled they will lock up. I have tried a few things to no avail.

Cheers

Found it online....

The trailer brake controller is equipped with a feature that reduces output at vehicle speeds below 11 mph (18 km/h) so trailer and vehicle braking is not jerky or harsh. This feature is only active when applying the brakes using your vehicle's brake pedal, not the controller.

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo...G1692021&div=f

vikefan7 · 05-30-2018, 12:32 PM

Question, how do you even check to see if your trailer brakes are working? I can't tell if my truck is stopping everything or if my trailer is helping? I have a Ram 2500 with the controller too.

mtedelen · 05-30-2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikefan7

Question, how do you even check to see if your trailer brakes are working? I can't tell if my truck is stopping everything or if my trailer is helping? I have a Ram 2500 with the controller too.

I just manually activate the trailer brakes from within the cab using the brake controller. Previously when I did this I would have to drag the trailer to move it.

Now even at idle, and with the trailer brakes manually activated to 100% using my brake controller, my truck pulls the trailer.

Subaru297 · 05-30-2018, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikefan7

Question, how do you even check to see if your trailer brakes are working? I can't tell if my truck is stopping everything or if my trailer is helping? I have a Ram 2500 with the controller too.

You test it with the manual override while rolling. You need to read your truck manual on how to adjust the trailer gain properly. This is something that should be done a couple times a season anyway as your trailer brakes wear or self adjust or if your load changes.

The basic principle is to drive along at 30-40km/h and squeeze the trailer brake lever. If the trailer tires lock up you need to decrease your gain. If they don't lock up you need to increase your gain until they do and then back it off one or two levels until they don't lock up. Then you know you are getting the most trailer braking possible.

Cheers

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