Trailer Brakes not Working

[Chesty]

I need help, I have a brand new 2020 3761FL Montana, and I was pulling it with a HD2500Chevy Diesel, I now have a Dodge Ram 3500 Disel, I hooked it up for first time yesterday and the "Check Brake wiring comes on and brakes never activate: Had the problem with the HD 2500, but it would come on and then go off and they would activate?

Any suggestions?

vr Billy Squires

[RMcNeal]

First, since you've changed the tow vehicle, make sure you are set to electric brakes in the truck. After that, you'll need to check wiring for the brakes starting with the 7 pin connector on the truck. Have someone activate the brakes or controller and make sure you are getting a voltage on that pin. You can google the 7 pin connector wiring diagram to see which pin it should be for the brakes.
An easy way to test the 5er, is to pull the brake away cable. If you have a battery installed, the brakes should activate. I can actually hear mine when standing next to the wheel and pulling the cable.
After that, just tracing the wiring from truck to 7 pin cable, and back to the wheels should find the problem.
It could be as simple as a fuse in the truck to a bad connection in the 7 pin pig tail on the trailer, etc.

[Dave W]

Some Dodge/RAM trucks integrated brake systems are not compatible with the hydraulic actuator if you have disc brakes. You will need an adapter from the actuator manufacturer. I have also read of others having a problem with conventional brakes as well with their RAMs

[BB_TX]

A 7 pin connector tester is handy for quick checks on your truck connector to see that you are getting correct voltage to all the pins.


https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Trail...11324560&psc=1

[432bartman]

I found that the 7 pin connector from the trailer was dirty and causing some issues. I cleaned the connections and no more issues. If you were having problems with the chevy and now the dodge, maybe it could be the trailer side of your electrical issues.

[FoxFamily91]

We had the same issue and blamed the new 2019 GMD Sierra - took it in 4 times before they tested the trailer on ours and another new truck. It's an issue with the brake system and the electric over hydraulic brake system on the camper. Had to have a new controller installed, all works well now.

Our dealer knows of the issue and has communicated to Keystone, however the compatibility seems all over the place; some brands work and others don't.

[rohrmann]

If your truck does not see resistance like you would have with the magnets on normal drum brakes on the trailer, you might need a resistor wired to the trailer that simulates resistance like the magnets provides. This is one of the resistors and regardless of the brand of disc brakes, it should work so the truck thinks you have regular brakes. With our upgrade, the device is called a Controller Adapter. https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...CABEgJemPD_BwE

[Dave W]

Also, and assuming your truck has the integrated controller, the dash info center has settings for trailer brakes. If you have conventional brakes, it needs to be set on electric. Disc brakes, it needs to be set on electric/hydraulic. Additionally. on my truck, the setting had to be at 9 conventional, 7 with discs