Brake controller

[XJINTX]

Please move if wrong forum.

I know a lot of you guys are VERY trailer knowledgeable.

I have a 5th wheel and all is well and my brake controller works fine.

I just bought a "Used" car hauler trailer with electric brakes too.

The issue is that my Prodigy controller has an LED that shows the brakes on trailer are hooked up. With this hauler the LED does not light nor do the brakes work. The previous owner "SWARES" they work with his truck

I have determined it takes a ground on the pin for the brakes. If I put a ground the LED comes on.

Where does the ground come from on the axle brakes... any idea? I live in a small town... have a Uhaul guy but he's not real trailer savy. It's a good drive to the nearest RV repair place

Any help appreciated... :coffeedrink:

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

Ive always wired mine up to the pin...but usually theres a groundlead bolted to the trailer frame...that way it will ground to the truck thru the ball and hitch..

 

[Lumberjack]

Sounds like the brakes need a ground. Do all the other lights work correctly? Here is a wiring diagram I found on the web http://www.tropictrailer.com/wiring-diagram.html The truck and trailer each need a ground wire through the plug. Have seen instances where the trailer does not ground through the ball or does so intermittently causing lights to flash. I would take apart the trailer end and check that all the wires are in the correct location. If all is well I would next check for proper ground ground from the trailer to the brakes.

 

[XJINTX]

I think the ground issue might just be my problem... at least makes sense.

So most trailers use the ball/hitch for making the ground?

If I can get the ground to trailer is there anything additional at the brakes... do they usually have a ground wire or somthing. It's was and rainy here but should be able to checkout tonight.

THANKS!!!

 

[Lumberjack]

I think the ground issue might just be my problem... at least makes sense.

So most trailers use the ball/hitch for making the ground?

If I can get the ground to trailer is there anything additional at the brakes... do they usually have a ground wire or somthing. It's was and rainy here but should be able to checkout tonight.

THANKS!!!

Actually there is supposed to be a separate ground wire run between trailer and truck, not to rely on the ball and coupler. I grease the ball pretty good and once had a trailer with no ground wire, lights would not work.

Couldn't remember if the brakes grounded through the frame at the attachment point or had a wire (been a while) so I looked up http://www.dexteraxle.com/faq_s and confirmed there is a ground wire from each brake.

Quoted Text:BRAKES - Do Dexter brake magnet wires have polarity?
The wires on a Dexter magnet do not have polarity. It works like a common resistor. One wire will connect to power and the other to a ground. It is Dexter's recommendation that a common ground be run from the trailer plug to the brake magnets. Do not ground each brake individually to the trailer frame or structure. Also note that the brakes should be wired in parallel, not in series.

Although they don't recommend grounding the brakes to frame, several of the trailers we own are done that way, seems to be common practice among manufacturers. If this is the case with yours, could be corroded ground at frame.

Good Luck!

 

[alexrex20]

if your brake controller is controlling the ground, then you will need to ground the brakes through the connector. if your brake controller is controlling the power, then it doesn't matter if you ground the brakes through the trailer frame, or through the connector.

just check the pins on your 7-pin connector and ground your brakes through the connector, and it should work with any type of brake controller.

btw, you pull a 5th wheel with your Titan? how long is it? how many pounds?

 

[XJINTX]

Thanks for all the replies...

Yes have pulled my trailer all over with the Titan Looking for a 3/4 but never had an issue yet. I have added firestone airbags and have the Big tow package.

Power never an issue just wish I had more truck weight. My trailer is 27' and 5400 empty I don't add a real lot mayeb 500? Always have tanks empty.