Trailer brake not working

[rpeterslll]

I also am having this same issue. I can conform that my trailer brakes are working ok at the beginning of my 10 mile journey, but somewhere in between my trailer brakes stop working with no indication. Holding the manual break so not show a disconnect but does not engage the trailer brakes. After disconnecting a d reconnecting, it then shows that “no trailer” message when manually engaging the brake. I tried using some conductive grease which didn’t work at first, but after fiddling with it, it’s working again. I can’t say for sure the conductive grease worked or not by getting a better connection, but this issues has occurred on at least 4 previous trips and impacts my braking on the freeway too. I plan on taking the truck to the dealer to log the issue and see if they have a solution.

Sponsored

 

[Ed21]

It certainly seems like this problem is very wide spread and all the witchcraft and sorcery in the world isn't going to correct it. It is said this problem has been around for years and appears the only way to get it resolved is to have enough folks report this problem to the NHTSA while also having some fatalities (unfortunately) to go along with this very dangerous condition to finally get it resolved.....maybe!

 

[lc7]

I have no solutions, just adding that I'm in the same boat as the rest of you.

I have 2 open trailers- works with one, not the other
Travel trailer- usually works, but not always. I did notice that it stopped mid-trip on the interstate once. I pulled over on the shoulder, never shut the truck off, just unplugged and reconnected a couple times, then it seemed to work for the rest of the trip
Boat trailer- Have never gotten it to work. Lights work, but "trailer disconnected" when squeezing the lever

I took it to the dealership and they replaced the trailer brake module, but didn't make a difference

 

[NVanRVer]

I had my brake control module replaced at the dealer last week. I understand that this likely won't be the fix, but I figured I'd try. I am planning to head out in a couple days up to Whistler and have my fingers crossed. I'll try all the tricks that have been shared.

In the bigger picture, not sure how this all gets resolved. People reporting to the NHTSA sounds good, but in Canada, not sure where I go. In any case, this doesn't seem like a quick route to a fix. I see a few options:

1. Wait and don't tow (not acceptable to me)
2. Tow, and suffer the inconsistent performance (also not acceptable due to safety)
3. Wire in an aftermarket brake controller (even possible? If so this seems like a reasonable option while we wait for a fix)
4. Sell the truck (this seems drastic, but if #3 is not possible then I don't know what else to do!?!?)

Anyone have thoughts on the viability of wiring in an aftermarket controller?

 

[Notallthosewhowanderarelo]

The problem is the aftermarket brake controller may not fix it if the issue lies in the electrical connection at the 7-pin connector.

 

[TMF150]

Having the same issue. Lights work, no brakes. For what it’s worth, new/different truck may not fix it. Had a 2020 Chevy trail boss before my 2021 F150 and the Chevy had several connection issues with the same trailer. Sometimes breaks and lights not working. Truck wouldn’t recognize a trailer connection. Changed truck module, etc… still spotty. I added a 7 to 7 short adapter that had built in resistors and that seemed to do the trick. Most of the time. I had the trailer checked several times by dealer… their tester always worked. I’ve checked trailer grounds… Trucks are getting too smart for me…

 

[NVanRVer]

I re-read this older thread, and thinking more about it, the resistance issue seems the most obvious culprit. It would explain that sometimes cleaning/sanding the contacts and/or adding conductive grease helps (lowers the resistance). It also explains why sometimes they stop working while driving - heat increases in general as you drive, increasing resistance in the circuit, then the computer assumes no connection. The times it didn't work for me, the ambient temperature was super hot.

So maybe mine works with the new module, maybe it works because it's cooler out, maybe it works if I follow all the tricks posted here??? However I am going to buy one of the LED load resistors and the right connectors so if it doesn't work and I am stuck somewhere with no brakes, I can try what the guy in that other thread did to lower resistance.

 

[NVanRVer]

Oh and when I say I think it's a "resistance issue", what I mean is that I think Ford has programmed the TBC with too tight a tolerance band for resistance, that represents whether a trailer is connected or not.

 

[UGADawg96]

Hey @Ford Motor Company --- this thread needs your eyes.

 

[rpeterslll]

I took it to my dealer, they didn't find and problems during the tests so no remedy was done. They would need to wait until Ford addresses the issue and releases a service bulletin on it. Not sure how else Ford becomes aware of the issue enough to investigate it.

 

[pkinneb]

Hey @Ford Motor Company --- this thread needs your eyes.

No kidding! Surprises me they have not posted anything in here.

 

[Chris McN]

I've posted earlier in this thread and had thought, at the time, that simply connecting the 7-way with the truck turned off was the fix. Started a trip today and all was fine until we stopped to weigh at a CAT scale. When we were ready to leave we got the dreaded "No Trailer" message. At the time we had our rear view camera monitor plugged into the 12V outlet on the front console. We disconnected the camera monitor from the 12V, turned the truck off, restarted the truck and everything worked fine. Go figure.

 

[NVanRVer]

In Canada, it appears that Transport Canada is the place to lodge a complaint. I will be calling them tomorrow. I'd urge any other Canadians with the same problem to do the same. Likewise for you guys south of the border, seems like NHSTA is the place to go. Maybe we can make something happen!

 

[diesel97]

No kidding! Surprises me they have not posted anything in here.

Seems like they are only monitoring or replying to the warranty threads

 

[Notallthosewhowanderarelo]

So this issue just got a little more interesting.

My RV battery is currently disconnected. When disconnected:

My old Silverado would power the jack on my RV when I connected the 7-pin, but I wasn't hitched.

The F-150 will not power my jack until I hitch up. This tells me there is a grounding issue.

Thoughts?

Sponsored