Post by dora on Aug 28, 2022 12:09:58 GMT -5
I was traveling out of state in heavy traffic around Chicago and noticed that my brake controller had power but wasn't displaying the numbers as it should. Made for a pretty scary ride since I knew I had no trailer brakes and had to rely on my Jeeps brakes. So when I got home and started troubleshooting I confirmed I had 12VDC to the trailer and then went underneath the trailer to follow the brake wire back to the tires. The single 14 gauge brake line ran down towards the drivers side tire and stopped about 10" short of the tire. Then a connection was made using 18 gauge wire where they stretched this jumper of 18 gauge wire down under the frame where it was connected to the 18 gauge electro magnetic cable wires for the brakes. This 18 gauge jumper was severed in two and not at one of the connections. Trying to just hold the two pieces together it was obvious that there was absolutely no slack between the two broken pieces. Then another pieces of 14 gauge wire was connected to the magnets as well and ran inside the axle to connect with the 18 gauge magnet wires of the other tire.
This is a 2019 Escape E161RB single axle trailer and this wiring configuration was straight from the factory. I noticed in my owners manual that it states that KZ never connects brake wires in series and only parallel however since my brakes are for sure connected in series I lost all ability to brake from both tires. So, I plan on installing new brake wires, 14 gauge up to each magnet and provide slack to account for going over bumpy roads so the brake lines won't brake again. However I'd like to run these new lines in parallel, one cable down each side of the trailer instead of in series again. My question is if I do this and then lose a brake for whatever reason, will I have trouble controlling my trailer with only one brake, meaning will it skid sideways or jack around with one brake working. I would think it's safer to be have the ability to brake, however I don't want to cause a bigger problem in trying to do so.
I've included pictures below of the line brake as well as pictures of the metal household J-box that they used to make all of the connections in. I plan on removing this box and installing a plastic terminal box that has 10 post connections in it. I also need to replace the two auto reset breakers shown in the picture. When I removed the covers on these they are so rusted I know I'll have a hard time even getting them apart. I plan on relocating those to the adjoining side of the angle iron that they're sitting on so they're installed vertically and hopefully won't rust out as soon.
Appreciate your input, Thanks
This is a 2019 Escape E161RB single axle trailer and this wiring configuration was straight from the factory. I noticed in my owners manual that it states that KZ never connects brake wires in series and only parallel however since my brakes are for sure connected in series I lost all ability to brake from both tires. So, I plan on installing new brake wires, 14 gauge up to each magnet and provide slack to account for going over bumpy roads so the brake lines won't brake again. However I'd like to run these new lines in parallel, one cable down each side of the trailer instead of in series again. My question is if I do this and then lose a brake for whatever reason, will I have trouble controlling my trailer with only one brake, meaning will it skid sideways or jack around with one brake working. I would think it's safer to be have the ability to brake, however I don't want to cause a bigger problem in trying to do so.
I've included pictures below of the line brake as well as pictures of the metal household J-box that they used to make all of the connections in. I plan on removing this box and installing a plastic terminal box that has 10 post connections in it. I also need to replace the two auto reset breakers shown in the picture. When I removed the covers on these they are so rusted I know I'll have a hard time even getting them apart. I plan on relocating those to the adjoining side of the angle iron that they're sitting on so they're installed vertically and hopefully won't rust out as soon.
Appreciate your input, Thanks
