2011 314BDS - Brake Issues

[RLD0361]

I've been towing trailers for 20 years and I never had this condition. I have a Prodigy brake controller. When coming home today with the trailer in tow, I had very minimal braking from the trailer. Not fun when your going down a hill. The brake unit was turned up all the way the output showed 12 volts. When manually activated, the unit also had minimal braking. Does anyone have an idea of what could be wrong? I mentioned this to the dealer last fall and they adjusted the brakes, however that didn't take care of the problem.

[Grumpy]

Sounds like you may have a broken wire(s) and not all the brakes are activating.

[drfife]

With tow vehicle connected to trailer jack the wheels off ground on one side. Apply the manual switch on your brake controller. Have someone else spin the tires on the trailer. Repeat on other side. If one or more continue to spin, you found the guilty wheel. Check for broken wires. If wires are intact, check resistance with volt meter. You may have to pull the wheel and check brake magnets directly.

Or, take it to an RV service center.

[Grumpygp]

X2.Check connections for corrosion and broken wires.

[RPegram]

Grease on brakes will cause this also. Grease can get there from seal failure or greasing the "EZ Lube" axles made by Dexter. The seals have failed when the axles are greased according to directions supplied by Dexter. The only way to check for this is to remove all four wheels and hubs and visually check the brakes.

[3'senough]

All the above should be checked but it could be a faulty controller. They are supposed to be proportional based on the braking applied to the vehicle which in turn goes back the trailer. If the unit is not reading your TV pressure correctly it could be affecting the trailers braking which the manual switch would be overiding even if checked. Is it new? P2-P3? Mounted correctly? Level with road?

Did they lock up when you did the hitch hook up test under manual? If not then it's most likely in the wiring. No error codes? If I loose a connection my unit flashes warning me of the issue.

[RLD0361]

The trailer brakes did not lock up when I tested them before I went on the road. I had inconsistent braking last year, however with those self adjusting brakes, I did not know what to expect. With my previous trailer the brakes would lock up in manual. I have an appt with the Jayco dealer Friday. They want both the trailer and truck to see where the issue is.

[RLD0361]

Heard from the local Jayco dealer yesterday about the brake issue. All 4 grease seals failed! Dealer (who was not the selling dealer) was trying to blame me as they said this could not have happened as they did not see this before. They did not think it would be converered under warranty. After serveral phone calls with my dealer and Jayco, it will be covered by warranty. They are replacing the entire brake system as grease was all over the drum. This is the second major issue that I've had with my Jayco that could have resulted in a major accident on the NYS Thruway when the initial brake loss occured. Does anyone know what has to be done to notify NHTSA? Or is it just sending them a letter. No wonder I never had the warm brake issues that everyone reported!!