Electric brakes issue

[plasticmaster]

When I plugged the power cable from my camper to my truck yesterday, I got a message on my dash that said check trailer wiring. I tested the brakes and indeed they were not working. I blew out both ends of the plug really well with my air compressor, plugged it back in, and then everything worked fine. We did have a little rain earlier in the day. This has happened a few times now. Is there anything more permanent I can do to ensure a good connection so I don't have to rely on the air compressor? Thanks.

[Grit_dog]

spoon059 wrote:
Simply solution, I put a 5 gallon bucket over my trailer jack.

Me too. Best $5 you can spend on your trailer!

[spoon059]

Simply solution, I put a 5 gallon bucket over my trailer jack. It keeps water out of my jack (especially important in the winter when water gets in and freezes, then you blow a fuse trying to retract the jack) and UV light off the plastic. I hang the 7 pin cord from the bucket handle, so its covered by the bucket. I then attach my safety chains to the handle to keep it weighted down in the wind.

Kills several birds with one stone. But I agree with other advice; clean your pins and put di-electric grease to help keep water out and corrosion down.

[Grit_dog]

Nother case of the disappearing author.....

[JRscooby]

I just hang mine so the open end points down. Water can stack up in a cup, but will not run up hill if it is not forced. Di-Electric grease solves the issue of humidity.

[Gdetrailer]

deltabravo wrote:
I tried this and it wrecked my 7 pin plug, on two trailers

:R

Video is 4 minutes too long to show the issue.

The "failure" isn't from the cover.

The "failure" came from the fact that the plug was left dangling upside down with that cover on. In a nutshell "user error".

Here is a snap shot of the video as to why the user used it incorrectly..



Anyone with any smarts would realize that a "cover" or cap like this will allow water to seep past the sides and fill up the cap, it can't provide a 100% water tight seal. Even if it did provide a water tight seal, it would only be good for 100% molded plugs (not all trailers are equipped with molded plugs).

A "cap" on anything sits at the highest point to allow water, liquids, moisture to roll (shed off) down the sides.

Think of it like putting a hat on your head to shed the rain..

That device to be properly used needs the plug to be stored in a UPRIGHT position (the opposite direction of what is in the snapshot above), not left dangling to the ground.

[deltabravo]

I tried this and it wrecked my 7 pin plug, on two trailers

[LVJJJ]

I bought the female part of the 7 pin connector and mounted it on top of my A-frame and plug it in there when not using, keep the pins in the receiver dielectricized to keep water out. Lot better than hanging it in the mud. Doesn't oxidize either. Always seemed to migrate down that far before mounting a receiver on the tongue.

[Gdetrailer]

plasticmaster wrote:
Is there anything more permanent I can do to ensure a good connection so I don't have to rely on the air compressor? Thanks.

Yes, when not in use or towing just tuck the connector back under the propane tanks on the tongue making sure the cable has a little droop and the plug is above that droop.

The propane tanks create a natural shelter from the rain and the droop in the wire creates a drip loop that stops water from following the wire to the connector end.

No greases, no air compressor, cleaners ever needed if you simply shelter the plug.

You still do need to periodically check and clean any corrosion on the connector since they are typically brass and brass naturally oxidizes from moisture in the air (the oxidation creates a nonconductive layer on the surface). For oxidization, I fold some sand paper a few times then insert it into the connector to shine up the brass.

[ktmrfs]

2 many 2 wrote:

Boon Docker wrote:
This cleaner or something similar.

X2

X3, detox is good stuff.

[Lwiddis]

Plugs "wear out." I replaced mine and no further issues.

[Lynnmor]

Keep your trailer plug in a Plug-Guard when not in use. Plug in and out several times when hooking up to wipe the contacts. Using the spray mentioned above is worthwhile.

[WNYBob]

I see this often here on RV.net, but Dielectric grease is used for sealing, protecting and electrical insulating. Improves electrical performance by reducing arcing, voltage drop and other conditions. This will help keep out water and other contaminates.
But it does not clean or lubricate your plugs, the cleaner mentioned earlier is what should be used first to make better contact.

[2_many_2]

Boon Docker wrote:
This cleaner or something similar.

X2

[MitchF150]

Get a small flat blade screw driver and on the trailer plug side, carefully pry the blades open a bit more so they will have a tighter fit on the trucks plug.

Good luck! Mitch