Re: Electric Trailer Brakes Behind a Truck Without
I have a 2010 Boat Wheels aluminum trailer with four wheel electric disc brakes. Recently we towed this trailer behind my friends truck that does not have trailer brakes. The first problem I noticed was that behind his truck the trailer would not back up, like the brakes were set; however it pulled forward just fine (or seemed to). The real issue came up when I put the trailer back behind my truck (2005 F250 w/factory trailer brake controller). Now it will not recognize the trailer, keeps saying "check trailer" and does not seem to be braking at all. What happend? Thanks!
Is this trailer rig brand new to you? 4 wheel electric disc brakes? You sure about that? Electric over hydraulic, maybe then OK. Do not believe there is such a thing as "electric disc brakes" (never seen one, anyway). All trailer disc brakes I know of are hydraulic, surge or electric over hydraulic, but hydraulic, just the same.
If disc and surge, no controller needed in tow vehicle, but must be wired w/ a 5 pin flat or a 7 pin round plug. If electric over hydraulic, then one needs a controller in tow vehicle and will act basically like electric brakes.
I'll summize that, since I have
"4 wheel hydraulic surge disc brakes" and mine will like exactly as you describe, your trailer won't back up because the trailer has hydraulic "surge" brakes and brakes apply when tow vehicle reverses, it pushes on the hydraulic actuator, applying the brakes (this doesn't happen w/ drum brakes). The trailer probably has a "lockout solenoid" on it that operates off the backup lights on the tow vehicle. (If it doesn't, it should and you can add one.) If tow vehicle isn't wired for the backup lights to power the solenoid, then the trailer won't back up. Some of the surge disc brake trailers have a "lockout pin" that must be inserted into the surge coupler to prevent movement and applying the brakes. Your F250 doesn't recognize the trailer because of what I mentioned above, probably nothing to recognize.
