Problem Trailer brakes

[Harley3348]

We have a Grand Design Solitude and on our way down to Florida for the winter I noticed that the Ram 3500 diesel dually seemed to be doing most if not all of the breaking. I pulled onto a side road, drove to about 20 mph and squeezed the brake controller (did not touch the foot brake) the camper brakes never stopped the camper. I stopped and checked all areas. Dash settings, fuses, 7 pin plug, emergency brake cable and the two wires on each wheel that connect the camper to the brakes. All checks out. Tried it again and no luck. Any suggestions. TYIA.

 

[team bradfield]

defective brake controller? did you try it in auto instead of having to squeeze it?

 

[Boat Bum]

Did it slow at all?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I assume the RAM was equipped with the factory controller. In the truck settings choose the heavy trailer dual axle/triple axle setting, and adjust the brake gain setting till the brakes give the desired braking.

If this advice doesn't work for you use dielectric grease on the plug and socket.

If that fails check the fuse for the brake system in truck fuse box, and same in the trailer.

If either fuse is blown follow the brake wires there complete distance all the way to each backing plate.

If you have melted wires your electromagnetic magnets may have worn through to the coil. That happened to me on My fifth wheel a couple years back. Admittedly My rig is old enough that the Grand design company wasn't even a glimmer in it's creators eye.

 

[allenlook]

" I stopped and checked all areas."

What does that mean, you checked for continuity? Voltage? Current?

Your electric drum brakes should pull 2.5-3A each at 12V, did you measure for current with the truck brakes applied?

Do you have one of those "smart" controllers in the truck that doesn't apply full voltage unless you have the doors closed, the truck in "D", and your tongue held just right? My F-150 does, and it's super annoying when troubleshooting.

Did you add lots of grease to the wheels before you left, and dump a tube into each drum unexpectedly? I've pulled drum brakes off that were completely fouled with nice shiny, new grease.

Are the drums self-adjusting, by applying the brakes while backing up, or do you have to adjust them with the star wheel like the good old days?

 

[Phillbo]

Do the lights on the trailer work?

Try pulling the break away cable and see if they activate. If they do the problem is with the truck, if they dont it could be either.

 

[allenlook]

Brakes and brake lights are on separate circuits.

 

[Old one]

Dumb question time--is the 5th wheel new to you or the truck? . I am asking if you ever saw the brakes work with another vehicle.

Here is what I would do to troubleshoot. BUY an inexpensive digital volt-ohm meter. $20 is decent enough for trouble shooting. Please, we can help but we need readings/data
You are looking at the blue wire out of the plug for the brakes. The calculation thank t previous posts is about 3 amps per brake which is 4 ohms. All 4 (2 axle) woud be 1 ohm, and (3 axle) about .6 Ohms. (+/-). The exact number can vary but would be a ball-park figure. If no ohms o=is indicated, the problem is in the trailer brakes or most likely, the wiring. if its there go:
place the meter in DC volts, and cut a sliver in the blue wire and attach the meter, to ground. Plug in the unit and have someone activate the lever. The voltmeter should read something maybe as low as 6-8 volts. If no volts present, probably the vehicle ot plug.
Possible screwups from eh factory could have mis-wired the plug, (nah, this can't happen.)(Sarcasim) or the blue wire is broken inside the plug. (this happened to me once).

 

[Phillbo]

Brakes and brake lights are on separate circuits.

yes but if he his not getting any power to the trailer then he will be able to start at the plug and work out from there ...... If the breakaway works then he knows his magnets work when they get power.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Brakes and brake lights are on separate circuits.

Yes but use the same connection.

 

[TheLooks]

I have one of those cheap plug in that light up for different functions of the 7 pin. Just plug it in and hit the brakes, turn on the parking lights, look for 12v light for charging the breakaway battery and of course the trun signals. Save a lot of this discussion, at least from the plug to the truck fuses. After that, there is a nice kit that plugs into the trailer and works everything with a switch from there to the brakes and lights....but that is more money. Or go to school and learn how to do it with a multimeter like we did. But that is even more money......Actually knew before going to school, but you get the idea.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I have one of those cheap plug in that light up for different functions of the 7 pin. Just plug it in and hit the brakes, turn on the parking lights, look for 12v light for charging the breakaway battery and of course the trun signals. Save a lot of this discussion, at least from the plug to the truck fuses. After that, there is a nice kit that plugs into the trailer and works everything with a switch from there to the brakes and lights....but that is more money. Or go to school and learn how to do it with a multimeter like we did. But that is even more money......Actually knew before going to school, but you get the idea.

RAM's controller with show you if brakes are connected.