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Trailer Brake disconnecting

H3LZSN1P3R said:
Check the wires going through the axle tubes they are prone to shorting and causing the issue aswell, they are cheap wire I usually zip tie a new PVC jacketed 2 conductor wire to the top of the axle tubes to solve the issue
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Yeah, im going to definitely have a look. I have both wheels and drums removed form the pass side and the magnets don't look as bad as I would have expected/hoped leading me to think it's a wiring issue somewhere.
Chris1911 said:
I changed both brakes on the front axle. They were in pretty bad shape. The rears were replaced a few years ago. I'll see how it goes when i take the camper out on thanksgiving weekend.
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What was bad about them?
 
gimmie11s said:
Yeah, im going to definitely have a look. I have both wheels and drums removed form the pass side and the magnets don't look as bad as I would have expected/hoped leading me to think it's a wiring issue somewhere.

What was bad about them?
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The brake shoes were thin, magnets worn, wires were rough looking.
 
Well.. I suppose I found my problem. All 4 were poop, but the driver's side rear was particularly bad. Wore the shoe down to the steel and my guess is the system was dead shorting on the metal/metal contact causing the "trailer disconnected" warning.

We're taking her on a trip this weekend so we'll see how it goes.

All 4 brakes were completely replaced with new kits from the backing plate-out.

IMG_7797.JPG



IMG_7798.JPG
 
gimmie11s said:
Well.. I suppose I found my problem. All 4 were poop, but the driver's side rear was particularly bad. Wore the shoe down to the steel and my guess is the system was dead shorting on the metal/metal contact causing the "trailer disconnected" warning.

We're taking her on a trip this weekend so we'll see how it goes.

All 4 brakes were completely replaced with new kits from the backing plate-out.

View attachment 79591



View attachment 79592
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Thats bad but it would not be the cause since there is no way for the system to sense that, but since the brake shoes were that worn im guessing you likely had a fault with one of the magnets
 
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H3LZSN1P3R said:
Thats bad but it would not be the cause since there is no way for the system to sense that, but since the brake shoes were that worn im guessing you likely had a fault with one of the magnets
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Yeah, I suppose youre correct. More likely the magnet shorted (or several of them) causing the issue.
 
I'm surprised you didn't have a fire.
 
gimmie11s said:
Well.. I suppose I found my problem. All 4 were poop, but the driver's side rear was particularly bad. Wore the shoe down to the steel and my guess is the system was dead shorting on the metal/metal contact causing the "trailer disconnected" warning.

We're taking her on a trip this weekend so we'll see how it goes.

All 4 brakes were completely replaced with new kits from the backing plate-out.

View attachment 79591



View attachment 79592
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gimmie11s said:
Yeah, I suppose youre correct. More likely the magnet shorted (or several of them) causing the issue.
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Not sure how you think your magnet is shorting? The one pictured above looks to be in good condition. I predict you are going to still have the problem on your next trip. Just sayin......
 
DRAGRAM said:
Not sure how you think your magnet is shorting? The one pictured above looks to be in good condition. I predict you are going to still have the problem on your next trip. Just sayin......
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They can look good and still be bad. You’d have to resistance test them to be sure.
 
DRAGRAM said:
Not sure how you think your magnet is shorting? The one pictured above looks to be in good condition. I predict you are going to still have the problem on your next trip. Just sayin......
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Why would you predict that?

"All 4 brakes were completely replaced with new kits from the backing plate-out."

Assuming since he replaced it all "backing plate out" and is taking it out, the error went away.
 
DRAGRAM said:
Not sure how you think your magnet is shorting? The one pictured above looks to be in good condition. I predict you are going to still have the problem on your next trip. Just sayin......
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I'd agree with you.. that one pictured looked good and was certainly working as evidenced by the heavy brake shoe wear.

The other 3, however, did not look as good. I don't have pictures, but none of them oddly enough, "looked" as good as that one above.


This whole dilemma is my fault. This is the first time ive had a look at the brakes in the 5 years ive owned the trailer. There was really only one brake working sufficiently. The other 3 were out of adjustment and/or the magnets were not doing their job.

I should not have assumed the brakes were adjusted properly when I took delivery of the trailer. They definitely were not.



But now that all 4 have been replaced AND ADJUSTED PROPERLY, im pretty confident she'll be one hell of a stopper now. I spent all day Sunday working on this pig.
 
Brutal_HO said:
Why would you predict that?

"All 4 brakes were completely replaced with new kits from the backing plate-out."

Assuming since he replaced it all "backing plate out" and is taking it out, the error went away.
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I missed the part where he drove it some and the error never came back. Also replacing the brakes does not cure a short. That system is looking at the brake controller output circut. It cannot see pad wear or magnet wear etc. For a magnet to short out it would have to be completely destroyed. I am pretty sure most Guys with that warning have found shorted wires in their trailer somewhere. Including me. Mine were in the brake assembly but the short was clearly wires...........
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gimmie11s said:
Just completed the Thanksgiving camping trip and happy to report great success... no more trailer brake warning lights and I have powerful brakes again.
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Glad to hear this. My one Trailer brought that warning into my Dash 100's of times and it cannot be diabled by the Dealer. I was so relieved when I finally figured out what it was and got it fixed. No more warnings and dings........
 
DRAGRAM said:
I missed the part where he drove it some and the error never came back. Also replacing the brakes does not cure a short. That system is looking at the brake controller output circut. It cannot see pad wear or magnet wear etc. For a magnet to short out it would have to be completely destroyed. I am pretty sure most Guys with that warning have found shorted wires in their trailer somewhere. Including me. Mine were in the brake assembly but the short was clearly wires...........
View attachment 79648View attachment 79649
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I have seen plenty of magnets that have gone bad without damaged wires.
 
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