Although you will be relying on your vehicle for most of the stopping power when towing a cargo trailer, this doesn't mean the trailer doesn't play a role. It's important for the electric brakes on the trailer to be in good condition. If they aren't this poses a serious safety hazard for you and other motorists on the road. Make sure you know how to recognize a sign that your cargo trailer's brakes might be in need of some attention.
Corrosion
Make it a point to check the surface of the trailer brakes for corrosion. This is an especially important task before any long haul. Corrosion on your brakes might not be producing any signs of a problem when you're driving, but it's only a matter of time. As the corrosion spreads and grows deeper, this can cause a short within the brake feed circuit and connector. Since the brakes operate based on electrical power, a short could cause the brakes to fail at the worst time – while you're driving.
Since these brakes are so low to the ground and susceptible to contact with moisture, it's important to check for corrosion often. If found, it's a good idea to take your trailer to a repair shop to see if the corrosion can be removed without damage to the electrical components. If it cannot, or the corrosion is too deep, you might need to replace the corroded brake part.
Delayed Reaction
When you press on the brake pedal, this should automatically send a signal to the electrical brake system on the trailer to also slow down. If it seems that you are pressing on the brake pedal, but the trailer seems to have a delayed stopping reaction, this is a sign of a problem. In many cases, a delayed reaction can be attributed to a problem with wiring. If the electrical brakes are newly installed and you're having this issue, it's likely being caused due to incorrect wiring.
Taking the trailer and your vehicle back to the installer should be your first step. Another cause is poor wiring. If you have had the system for a while, regular wear and tear can cause fraying and other issues. Once this happens, the signal to your brakes weaken, causing the delayed response. In this case, you will need to have the wires replaced.
At the first sign of a problem with your trailer's brakes, take your vehicle in for trailer repair. Your safety depends on it.
Share30 December 2015
After trying in vain to fix my car for a few months, I realized that I needed to hire a professional. I was tired of dealing with repairs that I was unfamiliar with, and I knew that I needed to get some help. I started looking around for a great auto mechanic, and even though one business was more expensive than others, I decided to work with them. They worked hard to fix my car, and I was really pleased with how great of a job they did. This blog is all about investing in proper auto service so that you don't have to deal with problems in the future.
