Trailer brakes surging

[SilverDesert]

We are just back from a Reno to Northern Montana to Reno run. Our 04. 5 was flawless and towed our 27 foot Alpenlite without breaking a sweat. The only problem we encountered was on the way back the trailer brakes began grabbing and releasing when applying the brakes. The controller is new Tekonsha Prodigy. Any ideas?



Thanks,

Dave

 

[HBarlow]

Dave,



Yes, replace the Prodigy with a BrakeSmart controller. No stops without adequate brakes, no lurching, no excessive braking, just smooth, controlled, perfectly modulated braking to match your truck braking.



Harvey

 

[MacHaggis]

Is it a sharp grab and release? Was there any noise/action from the hitch when it was acting up? You dont' give weights, but from here I'm wanting to eliminate the pulse of warped rotors on the truck, which can be pretty distracting, and narrow it down to the trailer.

 

[JKinney]

Broken brake wire on one of the brakes on the trailer causing an intermitent ground?

 

[SilverDesert]

It is kind of a sharp grab and release. The truck is almost new with 7k on the clock. I have not noticed any signs or symptoms of warped rotors on the truck.

 

[MacHaggis]

Double check and, if necessary, try dialing back the "other" wheel on your Prodigy, the inertial sensitivity. On the one I had on my last truck, I didn't have to dial it up too high before it got "grabby" when I had the gain turned up for a heavy load.

 

[RJOL]

Dave,



Yes, replace the Prodigy with a BrakeSmart controller. No stops without adequate brakes, no lurching, no excessive braking, just smooth, controlled, perfectly modulated braking to match your truck braking.



Harvey

Wow... Guess I'd better get rid of my perfectly working prodigy and get me one of those brakesmarts... On the other hand... My prodigy has worked flawlessly towing my 13k fifth wheel. Decisions... Decisions...

 

[GBlaksley]

Mine did the same thing when I didn't quite have the connector plugged in. Kind'a made my own anti lock brakes. Make sure you have a good connection.

 

[Nordby]

Are you sure it is your trailer brakes surging/grabbing? Often times truck brake problems are magnified only when they have a real load on - warped rotors are a biggie here. Get the truck brakes hot even once with lugs not torqued correctly or on a rotor prone to warp and the rotor might be a problem no matter how few miles are on the truck. Get a buddy to pull your trailer, and at the same time pull his. That will help isolate all sorts of things.



Just some other things to rule out (I apologize in advance if you already determined it was the controller!).

jon

 

[R-N-R]

What boost level is the Prodigy set on? Does it do it when you use the manual lever?

 

[JRMora]

As for all the Brakesmart comments, I wanted to get one, but they still aren't available. Had to go with something, but Prodigy's have gotten high marks. Pulled through the mountains this weekend (5% and 6% grades) -ZERO- problems with my trailer or braking. Still waiting on my Pac Brake (actually the wife just called and said UPS was here!)



I have had this happen on one occassion on mine - it was low speed in traffic (in town) and the trailer brakes grabbed. Hard to believe you could stop that much weight that fast, but you can. Dialed back just a little bit on the thumbwheel and everything is OK. I don't use the boost at low speeds, only when I know I am going to be running fast.

 

[WestTN]

If that 'surge' is a sharp grab and release, check your wiring on the trailer axle. If you don't see wires leading from one side to the other or wiring dropping down on both sides to the wheels, then you have wiring routed inside the axle. If this is the case the insulation will rub through and cause a short. The brake current is an isolated loop. If any wire in the system touches ground it will cause excessive current draw and lock the brakes. Usually the shock of that will moveethe wire enough to clear the short temporarily. The cure is to rerun wiring on the outside of the axle and ty-wrap it in place.



The Prodigy is an excellent controller. I've had five over the years and this is the best I have ever had. It has never done anything but work perfectly under any and all conditions. Somwthing else may work as as good, but it cannot be any better than that.

 

[SilverDesert]

Looks like the plug was slightly loose and this was the culprit. Thanks for all the help.



Dave