Trailer Brakes

[Briarglenn]

I don't know if this has been posted before, but want to put out a warning in the event it hasn't been posted. FRONT AXLE brakes were not wired properly at the factory. NEVER activated during 25k to 30k miles.
As I was getting ready to head to the cold country I knew my trailer brakes (3400 RL) needed to be checks. Started on the rear axle, sure enough I needed new pads. I went to the local parts store to order them and the dealer suggested a whole new assembly, so I would not have to deal with magnet problems. Price was right $57/hub. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the front axle had never been properly connected (wired). It was not grounded. Fixed and now ready to run.
Talked w/friend yesterday and he has had this experience with 5 different trailers, RV's and farm trailers. Always the front axle and it's the grounding wire.

[stiles watson]

And we depend on the manufacturers to deliver a reasonably safe product. Reasonable quality control should have caught a glaring issue like defective brakes.

Good catch and fix on your part.

[camper4]

I had not heard that before. I know the Montana is okay but I am on my way out to check another trailer I have.
Thanks for the tip.

[CORattler]

It pays to check things yourself as you found out. Think how much better the Monty will brake now!

[H. John Kohl]

Reminder, you can use a compass close to the wheels with the brakes on to check and make sure their are wired so the magnet energizes. As you pass the magnet the compass needle will swing continuing to point at the strongest magnet. It should swing between the axle and edge of the rim depending where the magnet is located.
Hope this helps.

[mlh]

Thanks John
Lynwood

[mail2us]

It was one of the first "lessons" learned from you John. Tks

[dieselguy]

Quote "Always the front axle and it's the grounding wire. "

Could you explain this a little more. Electric trailer brakes have no ground at the wheel hubs. Two wires activate the brake electromagnets from the junction box under your pinbox ... one is power, the other ground. There are crimp connectors behind each brake backing plate that connect the wires on the magnets to the power and ground wires that run along the frame to the streetside brakes and thru the axles to the curbside brakes. Are you talking about these crimp connectors?