Trailer Brake Wiring

[deene]

Im putting all new backing plates and brakes on my tandem trailer. 7000 lb axles, the wires on the backing plates are both the same color, does it matter how they are wired? thanks

 

[joeysmith]

No

 

[Jim.ME]

x2 on No. One gets power from the brake controller; one gets connected to ground. The electromagnet doesn't care which is which. I run a ground wire back to the ground point used for the trailer lead at the front of the trailer, I don't rely on the frame for a brake ground. Make sure the ground wiring is good from your tow vehicle through the socket and plug to the trailer frame.

 

[jon f mn]

No is correct and Jim is correct to run both power and ground from the plug to the brakes. Also the wires come out of the backing plates behind the axle. On most brakes you can put them on backward so the wire is in front of the axle, they won't work that way.

 

[Ray,IN]

I wire 12VDC+ to the magnets, the trailer frame is normally used as ground for all the lighting at the factory. Running 12VDC+ to the ground/brake hub is sending both pos and neg to the frame.
Preferably you want to run the wires in an A formation, so the 12V wires to the magnets are equal length. This balances the voltage and amperage to each wheel.
Most trailer axles are wired to one wheel, then a smaller wire runs inside the axle tube to the other side = voltage and amperage drop.

Wiring brake controllers for balanced braking

Is your trailer unbalanced when braking? Wire your brake controller to help ensure greater safety, balance and effective control.

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