trailer brakes

[jtc1724]

i have a 1987 21 ft trailer. when it is connected to the truck the brakes work on and off. the brakes will be working then they will stop. the brake controler will just flash and the manual for the controler says that means its a trailer brake issue. then they will work sometimes. i am towing 15 hours north in two weeks any one have any ideas. i am goin to t/s them later this week because last time i towed if i got out and wiggled the wires going into the left side it would work for a little bit but i have not tried the right side to see if i can isolate it to one side or find out if its just a coincidence. i guess unless i anyone has had this problem and nows a fix i will probly just end up rewiring the hole brake system it is a 1987 after all.

[JohnB]

If the wires go into the axle tube to go cross ways from left to right, that can be a problem over time. The wire insulation becomes brittle and cracks inside the tube causing a short. And the wire vibrating around inside the tube wears off the insulation creating a short.

When I rewiring mine I made sure to "not" use the wires in the axle tube. See this post it may help on how I overcame the problem. http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f6...ade-10711.html

I also did the independent wiring upgrade. If you are doing a total rewire it is something to consider. And use wire large enough. A minimum of a no 10 awg main feed line and then min of a no 12 awg to jump left to right. Since I'm a ways back there I went no 10 right to the wheels on all 4 tires. I now have no problem getting full amperage to the brake coils.

It sounds like your into re-wire project. The only way I know to ring that kind of problem out is using an ohm meter if you have one and start unhooking things to find out where the break in the wire is.

Good luck.