Electric brake testing on old trailer

[Reg]

I inherited a small 1973 Tag-A-Long travel trailer. It appears as though it was rigged for electric brakes. There are two wires ( cut ) coming out of each of the well drums( total of 4 wires ). How might I test to see if the brakes still function before buying needed vehicle controller and wiring system ? Could I just use a 12 volt battery on the 2 wires ( + and - ) to see if brakes engage ? I havent 't yet pulled drums to see what braking system might be there. I 'll be towing with a ford ranger XLT pickup so I 'd like to restore brake function if possible. I 'm also gonna add a weight distribution sway control hitch system if that matters.

Yes, that works.
Anther thing is a battery charger - especially one with an ammeter.
Each brake coil should draw about 3 amps.
If you have to go in there and WORK on them DO get self adjusting backplates.
Rockland auto has the Dexter units for something like $5 or $6 more than the non self adjusting ones - WELL worth the money to save the aggravation of having to adjust them again and again.

 

[Diamondpilot]

6 pin round plugs are 80's tech. If you are going to do it do it to todays standards and get a 7 pin plug.

Chris

 

[sailorman]

6 pin round plugs are 80's tech. If you are going to do it do it to todays standards and get a 7 pin plug.

Chris

Probably will do 7 pin as soon as I gain an understanding of what each pin is for. Ya might have guessed wiring is not my high suit. I'm thinkin' 4 wires are for brake lights, turn signals, and stop lights ( maybe ground ) and the other 3 are for ground, power and trailer brakes.

 

[jwstewar]

The seven wires are left turn, right turn, tail light, ground, brakes, 12v for battery charge, and though rarely used back-up lights. My Chevys actually have them wired up from the factory. Our old camper even had back-up lights - and they worked - once I put new taillights on.

 

[sailorman]

Thanks all you guys ! You 're making my research easy 'cause ya 'll are doin' it for me when I don t know where to look. Thanks K7LN for the wiring diagram and jwstewar for explanation of 7 pins. It made something click in my mind.

 

[wvpolekat]

As Chris has said, do the world a favor and wire it up standard. Nothing more irritating than hooking a trailer up and having to figure it all up and make adapters. Standards are there for a reason. 7 pin connectors are cheap.

 

[Reg]

As the old saying goes; "Standards are SO much fun, everyone seems to have different ones."

ONE of the big differences to watch out for with trailers is the switch around between back-up light wire and brake actuation wire.
Boat trailers typically DO NOT have electric brakes, they have surge brakes.
Campers typically DO have electric brakes and many folk want a wire for back up lights and another one for aux battery charging.
If the brakes come on HARD when you try to back up you probably have the RV/Boat switcheroo.

I figure;
Left, right turn, brake lights (2 between them).
running, brake actuation, 12+, aux 12+, ground.
Although brake actuation is USUALLY blue don't count on it with a trailer that you don't KNOW the history of. Same with all the other wires, check them by FUNCTION and NOT by wire color.

 

[adjusterr]

I noticed you are towing with a Ford Ranger but you didn't indicate what year. If relatively new, you can get an adapter plug and wiring at most any auto parts store, it simplifys 7 pin plug hookup, instructions come with it, find wiring harness junction, located in rear bumper or frame area, unplug harness, insert "T" adapter, plug all back together, mount your 7 pin plug, takes minutes. Good luck.

 

[sailorman]

I noticed you are towing with a Ford Ranger but you didn't indicate what year. If relatively new, you can get an adapter plug and wiring at most any auto parts store, it simplifys 7 pin plug hookup, instructions come with it, find wiring harness junction, located in rear bumper or frame area, unplug harness, insert "T" adapter, plug all back together, mount your 7 pin plug, takes minutes. Good luck.

Thanks for the tip. I 'll look into it. Ford Ranger is a 2003 XLT.

 

[sailorman]

Attempting to post brake picture after removing one drum today