Posted 2012-07-08 12:24 PM (#145434) Subject: Brake box, trailer brakes or electric connection?!
New User
Posts: 4
All,
Ever since my truck was rearended several years ago and the factory-installed hitch receiver was replaced, I have had a frustrating electric connection between my trailer and the truck. Often when I insert the plug into the socket on the hitch receiver, my brake box does not respond. I was told that the connection can get dirty and that I need to reinsert the plug several times to get to re-establish the connection. Eventually, the light on the brake box pops on and I have brake lights and signal lights functioning on the trailer but the brakes on the trailer are not working (brake the truck but no light on brake box). Usually, if I start moving and hit the brakes a few times, the brake box starts to register (reddish-orange light when braking) and I can fee the trailer brakes responding. The other day, I never had the brakes on the trailer working and could tell that my truck was doing 100% of the braking. Not good.
I have asked about this issue every time I take the trailer in for inspection and no one seems to have a clue! Any ideas?
Posted 2012-07-08 1:36 PM (#145439 - in reply to #145434) Subject: RE: Brake box, trailer brakes or electric connection?!
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
For less tan $20 you can purchase a new receptacle. It takes about twenty minutes to change one out if you mark the wires. Do so and use some dielectric grease on the pins as each of the wires is terminated. Some grease added to the truck/trailer plug connectors, will make the coupling easier and help reduce any future corrosion.
Posted 2012-07-08 3:26 PM (#145441 - in reply to #145434) Subject: RE: Brake box, trailer brakes or electric connection?!
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Flint on 2012-07-08 12:24 PM
All,
Ever since my truck was rearended several years ago and the factory-installed hitch receiver was replaced, I have had a frustrating electric connection between my trailer and the truck. Often when I insert the plug into the socket on the hitch receiver, my brake box does not respond. I was told that the connection can get dirty and that I need to reinsert the plug several times to get to re-establish the connection. Eventually, the light on the brake box pops on and I have brake lights and signal lights functioning on the trailer but the brakes on the trailer are not working (brake the truck but no light on brake box). Usually, if I start moving and hit the brakes a few times, the brake box starts to register (reddish-orange light when braking) and I can fee the trailer brakes responding. The other day, I never had the brakes on the trailer working and could tell that my truck was doing 100% of the braking. Not good.
I have asked about this issue every time I take the trailer in for inspection and no one seems to have a clue! Any ideas?
Thankd, Flint
To confirm that the problem is at the truck end...plug your trailer into a friend's truck and confirm that the problem does NOT occur with your friend's truck
Posted 2012-07-08 4:18 PM (#145443 - in reply to #145434) Subject: RE: Brake box, trailer brakes or electric connection?!
New User
Posts: 4
Thank you both for your prompt responses! Now that I think about it, the problem is with the truck socket and not the trailer. I always drop my trailer off for inspection so the lights/brakes are tested using some other source of electricity and it always passes. :-) Duh! Guess I'll spend the $20-ish and fix the socket on the hitch receiver. Thanks again!
Posted 2012-07-09 8:35 AM (#145468 - in reply to #145434) Subject: RE: Brake box, trailer brakes or electric connection?!
Member
Posts: 15
Location: Ridgeville, SC
I have to give a thumbs up to the dielectric grease. I always had problems with one light or another on my trailer not working, added the dielectric grease and it solved all my problems.
Brake box, trailer brakes or electric connection?!
