Triton electric trailer brakes not working

[Summit 800]

The electric brakes stopped working on a Triton Prestige 20' enclosed trailer. All the trailer lights work, just not the brakes. The brake controller does not register that the trailer is connected. Tried the trailer on 2 different trucks with different brake controllers and same result - no brakes. Any ideas where to start looking would be appreciated.

 

[skibreeze]

Usually only 2-3 places it could be. The trailer plug, wire splice by backing plate, or the actuators them selves.

 

[rmkboxer]

check the plug and then go though and make sure your wiring is not broken anywhere

 

[Mooseknuckle]

^^^^^^^^^Ditto^^^^^^^^^

Check the grounds on the trailer. I think there is a battery box under the trailer front left (open top). Don't know for sure if its in the same place on an enclosed. There was a loose ground on that connection. Had the problem mentioned above with the trailer ground and the brake ground half way installed in the plug. Works fine now.

 

[Summit 800]

Thanks for the ideas. Opened the plug and checked the wires / connections. Inspected wires that I can locate. Found a small nick in the brake wire just outside the plug - maybe the problem? Checked the grounds. Opened up the battery box in the trailer - that appears to be for emergency break away operation. Still not worky. May need to seek professional help...

 

[R J]

Troubleshooting where you notice the problem is where you should start. The brakes don't work and you can verify this is the case, a simple volt meter will tell you a lot of things right there. If things start checking out you work your way to the source eliminating the possiblites as you go.

Corrosion on the pin/connector of the trailer harnes? Since you tried it on two different trucks you can assume, but not for 100% that it might be both trucks? Unlikely but possible.

Did you check your grounds with a continuinty tester/volt meter or did you simply just look at them and give them a tug? Corrosion does the same thing as a broken wire even though it's still attached.

 

[omernikski]

I've wired quite a few trailer brake systems in my day, and the only way the brake box will not register is if there is a broken wire. trailer brakes are wired like christmas lights, it doesn't matter where the break is, it could only be on one wheel but if one wheel doesn't work the whole damn system quits working. visually inspect the whole wiring system, trailer brakes not working is usually a simple problem to fix. to see if the problem is in the truck, locate the trailer brake pin on the truck side plug, using a test light that is properly grounded touch it to the trailer brake pin and if all is good on the truck the brake box will light up.

 

[Summit 800]

Electrician found a broken wire/ connection near one of the axles today. Apparently a connection point failed. So the brakes are back in working order!
Thanks for your comments. Off to Laramie tomorrow for some riding.