Lost brakes!

[skiman]

On the way to Alaska just outside of Calgary. Brakes working well when I left Ohio. Today I noticed trailer brakes not working. No pull at all and integrated control shows no output. Where to start. Ground lug? Where is it on 2014 21. Any help appreciated!

[Ron in BC]

Driver's side, sheet metal screw on side of frame, pretty much in line with the axle.

Can a person standing beside the wheel hear any sound from the magnets?

For your year the ground from the battery went to the frame then a short distance away from the frame up to the converter. Check those grounds also.

Good luck.

Ron

[Eggscape]

First pull the emergency pin/cable out of the little black box on the tongue. This should apply the brakes so your tow vehicle can’t move the trailer.

If it does, then everything on the axles work to the connector box mounted on the inside of the tongue works. The problem then is between that box, your controller and could be all the way up to the fuse for the controller.

If pulling the pin/cable doesn’t apply the brakes then check to see if something has caused the wiring under the trailer to come apart.

Remember after the quick test to replace the emergency pin or it will drain your battery.

[skiman]

Good bet . Pulled pin and brakes locked. Turned out poor fit between GM receptacle on Silverado and escape plug again. Much wiggling, contact cleaner, and multiple in and outs. Have better plug in parts drawer and need to put it on.

[Eggscape]

Excellent…glad you know what the problem is.

Just a reminder for people thinking of using a small car to tow a big trailer…it is not just about moving it forward, it is also about stopping it if you loose your trailer brakes.

[Vermilye]

Just a reminder on pulling the breakaway switch pin - be sure to disconnect the tow vehicle prior to pulling the pin. Some brake controllers will be damaged if connected when the switch is closed.

[BobG]

Something else to remember. I keep my running lights on as one of the ways I can notice if the connection between the tow vehicle and trailer fails. One time I noticed the lights on the trailer were off so I looked for a turnout to pull off the highway. I had traffic behind me so not thinking very well, I pulled into the turnout going faster than than I normally would if no traffic was behind me. The turnout was gravel and limited in size.

Needless to say gravel went flying as the car tires stopped the full load of the trailer and car, about 10,000 lbs. The aggressive car breaking confused me until later when I realized without a good connection, I didn't have trailer brakes either. It got my attention as the car worked to stay straight and not slide the tires. Thank you Electronic Stability Control!