Here are the specs:


2002 Chevy D/A with "Activator II" electric brake control.


2001 Ford PSD w/ "Activator II" electric brake control.


36ft Nu Wa 3 axle fifth wheel or 32ft 3 axle flatbed gooseneck.


The Problem:


As you see, both trucks have the same brake controller and both trucks pull either trailer at any given time. However, the Ford puts a lot more power to the trailer brakes on both trailers than the Chevy. This is based on the fact that towing the Nu Wa, the Ford locks up the trailer brakes on level 8 while the Chevy can be at level 9 or 10 and you kind of wish for a bit more brake power when going down the passes in Colorado.


The Question:


Is there a problem with the Chevy? The controller on the Chevy? What else should I look for? Thanks in advance.

Ground quality in the circuit???


A variation of that happens to me. I always tow a different trailer. First thought it was just differences in the brake response from trailer to trailer. Then found a trailer ground connection with newly manufactured paint insulating it back near the wheel cylinders. Alerted the company a few years ago and the now pay attention to the ground issue with each new trailer. I rarely see a difference any more.


It just might be one truck has a different ground quality than the other. Shot in the dark?

Ground quality in the circuit???

excellent point. Do you use the ground connection on the trailer wiring harnness or depend on the hitch? Perhaps using a ground wire in the harness with a good ground on the trailers will solve the problem. I think the brake wire on the GM is 14ga, which should be adequate.

Jim

Thanks for the replies. I will check out my grounds.

captainmal


Which brake controller do you have?? I have the Prodigy and have no problems with it when hooked to my car trailer. Last night I hooked to a different trailer and got the message that the controller detected a short in the brake wiring. I got no Idea where to look. HELPhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif. Of couse this is a GMC and I had to change the wires in the trailer box to correspond to the GMC color code for turn signalshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif. Thankshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

captainmal


Which brake controller do you have?? I have the Prodigy and have no problems with it when hooked to my car trailer. Last night I hooked to a different trailer and got the message that the controller detected a short in the brake wiring. I got no Idea where to look. HELPhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif. Of couse this is a GMC and I had to change the wires in the trailer box to correspond to the GMC color code for turn signalshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif. Thankshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


When I connected a test light to my Prodigy while troubleshooting a problem, it too gave me the "sh" msg. In my very limited knowledge, I'd guess you've got the brake wire going to a light bulb somewhere. Apply the manual control, see what lights up on your trailer?


DJ