I have a 2006 Tahoe with a 7 pin connector prewired at the factory. It also has the tow/haul system The travel trailer we're looking at has electric brakes. Is there anything else that needs to be added to ensure proper operation of the trailer brakes?

Hello Tom, There is a 4 to 7 adapter that you can use that does not require splicing in a brake control, part #47185 that can be found here: https://www.hitchweb.com/category/EC-B-2-4/4-Pin-Down-To

I just bought a boat that came with a trailer with electric brakes and a 7 blade round connector. I have a 4 pin flat connector on the vehicle. Can I buy an adapter that will work the lights but not the brakes. I rarely tow the boat and when I do its on a country road for about 1 mile. I don't want to have to spend $$ on a brake controller and to wire it up for such little use.

Hello - On each individual electric brake magnet the amperage draw would be 3.0 to 3.2 max amps at 12 to 13 volts on 7-inch brake magnets and 3.2 to 4.0 max amps at 12 to 13 volts on 10 and 12-inch brake magnets. The max amperage draw for the brake magnets on a single axle trailer (2 brakes) would be 6.3 to 6.8 max amps on a 7-inch brake system and 7.5 to 8.2 max amps on 10 and 12-inch brake system. The amps will be higher if using a tandem axle or triple axle trailer. For further or more detailed information please contact tech support at 1-800-632-3290 ext 4 Thank you! Hitchweb Team

What amperage should I see at the rear wheel on a tandem trailer when the trailer brake is applied. Also what should I see the amperage being from the 7 way connector?

Hi Anonymous, The first thing we recommend trying is checking the plug at the rear of your 1985 rv to make sure the connection has no corrosion or damaged wires that can be affecting your signal. You may want to try purchasing a 7 way trailer tester (6562 for example: https://www.hitchweb.com/product/88/6562/7-Blade-Emulator-simulates-trailer-brake-magnets-for-brake-control-setup) to confirm all the functions are working. If possible also try using your brakeman controller in another vehicle and hooking up a trailer to that - if it still doesn't work it's likely a problem with the controller rather than the 7 way harness at the rear. If neither of these helps determine the issue please contact the Reese tech support team for some follow up questions - 1-800-632-3290 and ask for tech support. If we can provide any further assistance on our end please let us know - info@hitchweb.com or call 1-800-300-4067 Thank you! Hitchweb Team

i have a 30'enclosed trailer triple axle when i took my 2014 truck to it brakes work good when i hook my 1985 rv to it then dont work as good rv has a reese brakeman digital controller in it //// truck has factory in dash

Hi Matt - tech support is going to be the best option here to figure out exactly what the issue is but here are a few common things to check: Check the plugs on both sides of the setup for any white or green corrosion. If you see any, clean the plug thoroughly or just replace it. If there is no buildup in either of the plugs, check the connections of the black and white wires. The black wire should be run to the vehicle positive battery with a 20 or 30 amp circuit breaker in line, and the white wire should be attached to the negative battery terminal. If you used a plug-in brake control wiring adapter, check the wires to make sure none are loose on their pins. If neither of these steps take care of your problem I'd call tech support for further assistance at 1-800-632-3290 (and ask for tech support). If there is anything else we can do to help please let us know! Thank you - Hitchweb Team

New TT with everything hooked up works until the truck is moving then green light changes very quickly from green to orange to red then back to green repeatedly. I have a Tekonsha Voyager and it worked on my old TT but does not work on 2017 Keystone bullet. Any ideas would be appreciated. I have a new Tekonsha P3 coming to see if this is the answer.

Hi Kody, We discussed this with a tech and it might be doable but you'd need to do some modifications to make it work. The tech team would like to speak with you directly to get more information and go through your options - 1-800-632-3290 If there is anything else we can do in the meantime please let us know - info@hitchweb.com Thank you, Hitchweb Team

Will a 6 volt vehicle run today's trailer brakes?

Hi George - here are a few things to take a look at: Many times, dirt or corrosion can cause a short in a trailer connector. Make sure the truck and the trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out. You can test the brake output pin and it should only show power with the manual override. If it shows power any other time then there is a short somewhere between the connector and the brake controller you will need to track down. If the truck side checks out fine then it could be the wiring to the brake magnets or the magnets themselves. Make sure the brakes are properly adjusted (there should be a slight but constant drag of the pads on the drums when the wheel is turned). Inspect the power wires to the magnets and look for pinched, frayed, or damaged wires and fix as needed. Make sure the ground wires are attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces. If you're still having troubles please let us know at sales@hitchweb.com or 1-800-300-4067 and we'd be happy to get you in touch with further tech support. Thank you! - Hitchweb Team

HI i have a 1999 22ft Tahoe fifth wheel i have replaced the left rear magnet,however rather than grabbing the drum it just hums its a 3amp magnet i cant see any markings on the other three as to their amperage,i am thinking that i possibly have the wrong amperage ,your thoughts george,

The humming sound is the brake magnet being activated. This is happening because the 6-way or 6 pin trailer connector on the vehicle or the trailer needs to be rewired.

Why do the brakes hum when hooked up and standing still

Hello Martin, Proportional Brake Controls can sense how quickly the tow vehicle is stopping and apply the same amount of braking power to the trailer. When the tow vehicles brakes are applied, a motion sensing device inside the controller knows how fast the tow vehicle is stopping, applying power to the trailer brakes equally as fast (or slow) as the towing vehicle. A proportional controller is enabled by the brake pedal switch. It is then activated by a pendulum circuit that senses the vehicle's stopping motion and applies a proportional voltage to the trailer's brakes. For further information, please see our blog post: https://www.hitchweb.com/blog/post/2011/10/14/what-is-a-brake-control

How is braking force controlled proportionately? ie. if I touch the brakes to slow slightly I don't need the caravan brakes to come full on, do I?

Hello Gowrithas, There are a number of advantages for electric braking systems such as: Safety, less stress on your vehicle, and it's the law. Click on the blog post WHAT ARE ELECTRIC BRAKES to learn more.

 

 

https://www.hitchweb.com/blog/post/2012/02/02/what-are-electric-brake-assemblies

Hello Geo, It could be a few different issues. Since brake controllers are activated by trailer magnets, we suggest testing those first. You can read our blog post TESTING TRAILER BRAKE MAGNETS if you are not sure how to do this. If this doesn't work, the issue could be the electric brakes, or the brake controller itself. Please contact us with your brake and brake control information and we can assist you further.

 

https://www.hitchweb.com/blog/post/2012/02/21/testing-trailer-brake-magnets

what are the advantages of electric braking system. ..?

Sometimes I loose my trailer brakes! the truck tells me check trailer brakes, I checked all the wires I even ran an extra ground wire it still does it! When im parked I have brakes I wiggled all the wires applying the brakes everything works! When I drive it starts acting up on and off! Can the problem be in the brake assembly in one of the wheels?

Hello Wayne, In order to control your brakes you first need to wire your vehicle to a 7, and to get a 7 you need a 4 flat on the vehicle first. Do you already have a 4 flat on your vehicle? If not, what is the year make and model of your vehicle so we can provide one for you? Once your vehicle is wired for electric brakes, you then need to purchase a brake controller.

Is the electric brake wiring connected to the pin or plug that I plug in to the back of my vehicle for brake and turning signal lights or is there a completely separate wire system that I need for the electric brakes ?

Hello Mark, We need some further information before we can assist you such as what brake control do you have? We will contact you via email for this information.

Hello Gary, We have a few questions for your before we can assist you. What brake control do you have? We need the model number or name, and manufacturer. Who installed it?

I was wondering where abouts do I hook up the electric brake wire from the tongue to my hitch so that the electric brakes will work when applying brake

My 17 ft. Coachmen TT electric brakes lockup when brake is applied on any setting. Do I have A brake problem?

Hello Bob, You can just plug it right back in, this will not hurt the trailer. The only reason to replace it is if the pin is or became damaged.

While pulling away from my unhooked trailer the emergency wire got caught up and pulled out. I pushed the large plastic pin back into the small rectangular controller on the hitch. Do I have to do anything else to make sure they are not locked up and or will still function when I hook back up to leave the campground.

What should I do If the emergency pin on the trailer brakes is pulled out when not attached to the vehicle. Their was no electrical hook up at the time. Is everything the same when I push the large plastic pin back into the little box it came out of? Do I need to do anything special.

Hello Ronald,

That is a very common question. Throughout the U.S. and Canada, there are laws in place regarding towing practices depending on the State or Province. Since most RV's and campers travel over several States and Provinces, it is always safest to go with the average-to-stringent laws as a guideline for any given step. Towing laws can change so make sure to check that the trailer passes the requirements on a yearly basis.

How do I know if my trailer needs to use electric brakes?