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Old 09-21-2014, 02:15 PM   #1
jeffgalati
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Trailer Brakes Voltage?

I have a new Ram 2500 with built in brake control. I don't feel the trailer brakes are working like they should so I tested the voltage at the trailer plug at the back of the truck. Does anyone know how much voltage there should be for the brakes to work properly? My last truck was a 1500 and never had any problems...
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Old 09-21-2014, 02:25 PM   #2
Javi
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variable "0" to "12" set controller at 1/2 way you should see 6 volts
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Old 09-21-2014, 02:38 PM   #3
jeffgalati
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That is what I was thinking but wasn't sure. I am only getting about 1.5 with the controller set to 8.
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Old 09-21-2014, 04:11 PM   #4
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Check to make sure you have a good ground, a lot of times that is the culprit, recently I serviced a friends 5ver they just purchased and same thing did not have a good ground, I found the problem inside the junction box behind the pin box, and on ours the same thing, someone took the screw off of the wire inside the same box, since the trailer was new, I can not figure out how that happened except some screw up at the factory, good luck
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Old 09-22-2014, 03:34 PM   #5
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Your RAM also has "Light" and "Heavy" electric brake settings; you may need the heavy setting even for a modest trailer. Our 7K trailer needs the heavy setting.
Just saying.
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Old 09-22-2014, 03:38 PM   #6
jeffgalati
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I believe I am on the heavy setting. When idling thru a parking lot I slide the trailer brake on and can hear the brakes engaging but it really isnt slowing me down any even on 10. The trailer is close to 8k I am sure if not more. Never had an question until this truck. Last was a 2013 1500 with the 5.7 hemi.
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Old 09-22-2014, 03:42 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by jeffgalati View Post
I believe I am on the heavy setting. When idling thru a parking lot I slide the trailer brake on and can hear the brakes engaging but it really isnt slowing me down any even on 10. The trailer is close to 8k I am sure if not more. Never had an question until this truck. Last was a 2013 1500 with the 5.7 hemi.
You most likely got a bad ground, a bad controller or a bad relay.. set on "10" you should have 12 volts at the plug.. if you don't you got one of the above.
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Old 09-22-2014, 03:45 PM   #8
jeffgalati
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Ok. I take it the bad ground would be on the truck side correct? That would be my thought I guess. Thank you all for the suggestions.
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Old 09-22-2014, 03:47 PM   #9
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Ok. I take it the bad ground would be on the truck side correct? That would be my thought I guess. Thank you all for the suggestions.
Yep... I'd start at the relay and fuse then see what's coming out of the controller... if all that's good I'd start looking at the plug..
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Old 09-23-2014, 12:18 PM   #10
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Just one quick question. Do you have 12 volts going to the controler? And since it is activated by the brake light swich make sure you have 12 volts out of that switch too. Good luck. Sorry about the caps wasn't yelling!:d
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Old 09-23-2014, 12:25 PM   #11
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Not sure. the controller is built into the dash. I think I'll be taking to the dealer and let them figure it out. Thanks again everyone.
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Old 09-23-2014, 12:32 PM   #12
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Before returning to the dealer I would check the owners manual to be sure that the controller is set up properly and try it on the highest setting.. JM2˘, Hank
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Old 09-24-2014, 02:36 PM   #13
skdooman2004
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trailer brake voltage

I have a 2013 3500 and mine is same way, . its on heavy electric set anywhere between 7-10 , hardly even slows it down, although I'm at 13000. still should lock up on 10, you would think, let me know what you find out. I had my brother come over with his 2012 2500, trailer stopped great.?
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Old 09-24-2014, 02:58 PM   #14
jeffgalati
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Interesting. I stopped at dealer today but they can't get me in until next week. As soon as I get an answer I'll let y'all know.
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Old 09-24-2014, 03:33 PM   #15
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I have a 2013 3500 and mine is same way, . its on heavy electric set anywhere between 7-10 , hardly even slows it down, although I'm at 13000. still should lock up on 10, you would think, let me know what you find out. I had my brother come over with his 2012 2500, trailer stopped great.?
With that heavy of a trailer I doubt you will get a lock-up on pavement... maybe on pea gravel... My 7K trailer won't lock on pavement but stops well in normal operation at 5.5 - 6.5
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Old 09-24-2014, 03:57 PM   #16
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Smile Brake Voltage

You may not read the proper voltage with out a load, for the new brake controller have to hookup to work proper
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Old 09-24-2014, 03:59 PM   #17
jeffgalati
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I was thinking that. I will just let the dealer figure it out. Being that I didn't have the problem until I got this truck.
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Old 10-06-2014, 05:21 AM   #18
skdooman2004
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brake voltage

what did dealer say?
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Old 10-06-2014, 05:23 AM   #19
jeffgalati
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They couldn't find anything. Even took it and hooked to another trailer and everything worked fine. Unfortunately I didn't have any time to look into it any more over the weekend.
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Old 10-09-2014, 09:08 PM   #20
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They couldn't find anything. Even took it and hooked to another trailer and everything worked fine. Unfortunately I didn't have any time to look into it any more over the weekend.
Yeah, that doesn't sound right. You already confirmed that the problem is not with your trailer. Definitely sounds like a bad ground on your truck. The dealer probably doesn't even know what proper trailer brakes feel like when everything is in good working order.
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