Need New Brake Controller?

[dogcarbon]

We are currently in St. Augustine until Sunday when we leave for FW.

Can anyone recommend someone to put a new brake controller on our 99 chevy truck? Either here in St Aug or while we are in WDW.

Here is the problem... as we travel under 35 mph the brakes work fine. When we are over 35 mph, they "fail" and the digital output says "overload" or "Short". The 3/4 ton truck can stop the trailer, just not quickly, and DH is definately driving way beyond ourselves on this flat ground, and giving ourselves LOTS of stopping room, and driving slowly.

Our issue is on our way home, back to the hills, on the way to PA.

We have already called Mobile RV repairs, and they don't do mechanical repairs.

DH thinks the controller is what is messed up because the brakes do work fine some of the time. The trailer was gone over last fall for the same issues. We have put this new controller on recently for the same reason... What DH is thinking is that the controller is being messed up by the antilock brakes.

Anyone have any other input?

 

[becky1960]

When you checkin ask for a list of Mobile RV repair shops. I have seen several over the years working on rv's at FW. We put our own in as the truck had a spot to just plug in..

 

[medic9016]

What kind of brake controller do you have now? Anti-lock brakes on the truck should not interact with the brake controller.

 

[DaveInTN]

If it is the controller at fault, they are easy to replace. Most brake controller simply "unplug" from the wiring harness under the dash. If you can get the old one out, drive over to the Camping World on 192 (about 15-20 minutes away from the Fort) and tell them you need to replace it. The new one will either just plug in using the existing adapter, or if you are buying a different brand controller you may to buy a new adapter specific to that brand controller. Either way, they would sell it at Camping World. You then literally just plug it in where the old controller was plugged in.

This link shows what the junction box looks like on a 99 Chevy, and how to install the brake controller.

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-cbc.aspx

Now, when you say the existing controller was installed though to fix the same issue...then I would guess you have other issues? If you think that it is NOT the controller at fault, then I would give Frank a call from Frank's Mobile RV. He is very helpful and can usually get to the Fort within a day of you calling. I am not positive he would work on the truck...but would guess he would. His number is 407-922-7302.

 

[wak648]

Here is the problem... as we travel under 35 mph the brakes work fine. When we are over 35 mph, they "fail" and the digital output says "overload" or "Short".

DH thinks the controller is what is messed up because the brakes do work fine some of the time. The trailer was gone over last fall for the same issues. We have put this new controller on recently for the same reason... What DH is thinking is that the controller is being messed up by the antilock brakes.

Anyone have any other input?

Had a simular issue on my first trip out this year, not fun when it starts coming down a 6% grade for 1 mile,

Any way with it being a short, check the brake wires going into the axle for rubbing. It could also be wearing where the wires go into the magnets (this is where my short was). Any way good luck and drive safe.

 

[LarryJ]

Had a simular issue on my first trip out this year, not fun when it starts coming down a 6% grade for 1 mile,

Any way with it being a short, check the brake wires going into the axle for rubbing. It could also be wearing where the wires go into the magnets (this is where my short was). Any way good luck and drive safe.

That would be my arm chair WAG ... it's not the controller but a wiring issue somewhere that is causing a short in the brake electrical system when a certain level of amps are called for. This also might be a very difficult thing to find and repair. The magnet wiring is a good start since that is the part of the brake electrical system that moves inside the drums.

Larry

 

[ftwildernessguy]

If it is a wiring problem, it may not be really evident. A lot of RV manufacturers will run the wire from one side of the trailer to the other thru the inside of the axle, where it can rub and wear off insulation but remain hidden from view. If you don't readily see a worn wire on the exposed wiring, I would run new wire on the outside of the axle and eliminate that hidden wiring.

 

[newbydisney]

If you cannot find an RV place to help you try a place that sells/services horse trailers....in my experience those guys are great with trailer brakes etc..they have to be.... a live load is a scary thing and very heavy.