Trailer Brakes?

We were holding the trailer brakes on while pulling forward and putting the slider hitch into the maneuvering position today, the trailer brakes locked up. I was only able to release them by disconnecting the power cord from the truck (they immediately released). However, when I plugged it back in and verified I had power to the trailer. The trailer brakes would not engage.

Any ideas on what is causing this? The light is operating on the brake controller which would indicate it is working. Is it possible it just needed some time to reset and will work properly when I hook up to go home after the weekend? Or is there something I should be looking for on the cat?

Check your emergency brake disconnect on the hitch. it should have a cord that has a key on the end and fits into a small box on the hitch, if it pulled out the breaks lock up as a safety measure if you ever come unhooked while towing. If it even pulled out a little this may lock your breaks. Just push it back in. Hope this helps.

The disconnect didn't get pulled out

Do you have an adjustment "wheel" on the side of the electric brake controller inside the cab ? Sounds like you have the older type without the number display of how much braking power your applying. If you have an adjustment wheel try turning it one way or the other to see if it works properly.
Could be a wiring problem, ground, short etc.... Or just a controller gone bad if its an older model.

I'd try to get a buddy, neighbor, fellow camper or even a stranger with a truck and brake controller to plug in my camper and test it.

That way you would know if its your truck or the camper.

If you know the make of controller, but do not have a manual you might be able to download the appropriate manual to help trouble shoot your system. I had a problem with my brakes not working and it was the battery in the wild cat that was causing the problem. I hope this helps, but do not forget the forum is a great resource for trouble shooting and someone will hopefully have an answer to the problem

Well, I hooked up and pulled home. The brakes work when you apply the truck brakes, but the hand lever does not work which leads me to believe I will need to replace the brake controller in the TV.

Talked to controller tech support and the controller is defective. He suggested I go with a controller that provides proportional control instead of a timed controller such as the Hayes Syncronizer which I currently have.

He suggested the Hayes Energizer 3 as being the Hayes controller he would recommend. Since I am not all that familiar with the various brake controllers.

Any suggestions as to brand and model to look at?

I had the Energizer and hated it. Just didn't work well. Too hard to setup and keep the brakes from locking up.

I have a Brakesmart controller now. It's wired into the brake master cylinder with a pressure transducer. It's awesome. It is so smooth stopping now, it's like you don't have a 12k trailer back there.

It's not cheap. I've had it for about 6 years or so. It was cheaper when I got it.

http://www.drperformance.com/brakesmart.html