Electrical Brake Issues

[cruisin usa]

Hello to all Ram owners. I have a 2022 3500 6.7 Cummins Longhorn and I'm having intermitting electrical
brake issues that I did not have before when pulling my 5th wheel rv my brakes work for some time and decide
not to work for some time I get a reading on my dash "Trailer Not Connected" and "Check Wiring" I have checked
the trailer and everything seems good. My truck came with OEM brake controller. I appreciate any feedback on
this issue.

 

[tron67j]

There are a few threads that discuss this, like this one.

Warning Message "Trailer Brake Not Connected"

I have a 2018 RAM 3500 with a factory brake controller. I believe I intermittently touched or moved the trailer brake controls and now I get the instrument cluster message "Trailer Brake Not Connected". I have never connected a trailer to the truck. How can I reset or get rid of the message...

www.ramforum.com

 

[2003F350]

Is this the first truck you've ever pulled that trailer with? Has the plug on the trailer ever been replaced? I ask because EVERY trailer I've had issues with the brakes on has had a cheap, $5 7-way round with the flat blades in it. For whatever reason, they don't make good contact with the Ram factory plugs, and you'll get that message and no brakes. What's fun is that all lights work and it'll run the trailer light check, so it knows the trailer is there...but won't operate the brakes. Doesn't have an issue with the Ford plug in. I forget the brand's name, but there is a particular brand Ram recommends. Then there are the style that came on my Travel Trailer, which I have switched ALL my personal trailers to.

This is the style that is absolutely terrible for Ram trucks ($8 on Amazon):


This is the style I have had VERY good luck with (usually comes with the cord attached as the plug itself is molded together and can't be taken apart):

 

[markabby]

i once had that issue...it was a bad wire on one of my brakes.

when i hook up my trailer, i have to make a almost 90 degree turn for the truck to recognize the trailer length. but, mine is a landscape trailer, not a 5th wheel.

have you checked the settings for trailers in your apps?

 

[turkeybird56]

Is this the first truck you've ever pulled that trailer with? Has the plug on the trailer ever been replaced? I ask because EVERY trailer I've had issues with the brakes on has had a cheap, $5 7-way round with the flat blades in it. For whatever reason, they don't make good contact with the Ram factory plugs, and you'll get that message and no brakes. What's fun is that all lights work and it'll run the trailer light check, so it knows the trailer is there...but won't operate the brakes. Doesn't have an issue with the Ford plug in. I forget the brand's name, but there is a particular brand Ram recommends. Then there are the style that came on my Travel Trailer, which I have switched ALL my personal trailers to.

This is the style that is absolutely terrible for Ram trucks ($8 on Amazon):
View attachment 562988

This is the style I have had VERY good luck with (usually comes with the cord attached as the plug itself is molded together and can't be taken apart):
View attachment 562989

The top plug you pictured yeah, not the greatest. I find that you need to replace them every so often or the contacts get worn/loose than you start getting trailer disconnected. Also, sometimes a bungee cord holding up that plug in helps, they sag a bit and you loose connection. SO I had a pin connector that was used on wife's F 150 and my ED. When I got the Hemi, I used the same plug, but it started getting sloppy so replaced so all good. But I also only randomly tow.

Added: The RAM plug in point not very well done either, IMHO. I NEVA had a problem on the Ford.

 

[62Blazer]

I always suspect it's on the trailer side first, especially on a newer modern truck. Trailers in general have crappy and cheap wiring to begin with, and often get neglected. Next time you get the message on the truck, get out and wiggle the trailer connector around and see if the message goes away. If not, follow the trailer wiring and wiggle it also.

 

[62Blazer]

Also double-check the ground of the trailer to the truck. The majority of electrical issues on trailers I have seen over the years was because of a poor ground. The higher the amp draw (more electrical power required), the more ground is required. Trailer brakes pull a lot more amperage than the lights, so if the ground is weak it is more likely to fault out when you use the brakes.

 

[joesstripclub]

I had this happen on my first trip with my camper when it was brand new. Decided to act up on the last descent into denver. Trailer has the better plug style shown above. What the dealer told me was that a wire came loose in one of the brakes and was shorting out the brakes. Haven't had any other issues so I agree with others to double check your trailer wiring if you have a good 7-pin plug.