Trailer brake controller issues... plug issue?

[AH64ID]

One thing I keep seeing is where folks have issues with specific trailers and the OEM trailer brake controller. I personally haven't had any real issues and like the OEM controller, but I did find this today.

Makes me wonder how many off the issues are attributed to the "wrong" plug style?

 

[gsbrockman]

I wonder if the “retainer” on the spring loaded 7-way door is also not compatible with the locking mechanism on the incompatible trailer plug, resulting in poor connections?

 

[AH64ID]

I wonder if the “retainer” on the spring loaded 7-way door is also not compatible with the locking mechanism on the incompatible trailer plug, resulting in poor connections?

It could, if it's not at the correct depth it may not hold a tight enough connection.

 

[Alan Reagan]

The dual contact connectors are not necessarily compatible with the J2863 standard. Parts stores usually sell both and if the OEM is replaced with a non J2863, it will probably give problems.

Another common problem on the RAM is the the bumper mounted plug is two pieces that snap together, one from the rear and one from the front. On my truck, they weren’t snapped together all the way which caused me to get a “Trailer Disconnected” on the screen. I finally found it, snapped them together all the way and fixed the problem.

After I retired, I worked at an independent NAPA store that does a lot of farm and heavy duty parts supply. I helped three different customers that had the same problem with this fix. They didn’t have the problem on the bed mounted plug for the goosenecks....just the bumper mount.
Another had bought a dual contact connector and self installed it on a dually flatbed for goosenecks and it didn’t work right.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Only time I've ever had any problem was when I managed to somehow bend the prong in the bumper socket for the power connection. Trailer plug plugged in fully and no warning messages but no trailer brakes working either.

 

[GCroyle]

OK finally looked at the PDF, yup the Bargman V plug is not my choice. Had one and replaced it with the Pollak flat blade and no issues. I found a place that had a bunch of em and bought like 6 or so some for my to help folks and some went to my circle of weirdo's.

The other thing that shows up in the Airstream forum is top hinged vs side or bottom hinged receptacle orientation. Top hinged locks the plug in, bottom hinged lets it hang and the side hinged doesn't no what to do.

AH64ID, Who is the author of the doc?

 

[AH64ID]

AH64ID, Who is the author of the doc?

I got it off of the Ram Body Builder website. I’ve gone thru those files before and don’t recall seeing it, so I think it’s fairly new.

 

[Wiredawg]

When I was towing generators, I ran accross some connectors that had too small a retaining clip on the plug that would get trailer disconnect warning when driving on rough road. I had to tie wrap these onto my rear receptacle. Also found a nice trailer contact cleaning and adjustment kit, with trailer receptacle tester.

EDIT: The Kit on Amazon

One thing I found when a crappy generator trailer plug blew my trailer parking lamp fuse, is the fuse is special one that i found only Napa carries. Fortunately I asked them and they had them in the back. Genos has them in their fuse pack. I thought about modifying this to an auto resetting breaker or breaker type setup, and might if I still did this towing.

Thanks, good info to know.

Christmas Cheers, Ron