Trailer brake issues, and "Integrated Trailer Brake Setting Menu"

[bluesteel]

Earlier this week I got my new travel trailer (about 2,300 lbs), and most everything has gone well, except the trailer brakes. I notice very little if any response from them while driving, even with the gain set at 10. There is a slight response when I use the manual slider, but nothing near what it should be - again, with gain set at 10. I know how trailer brakes are supposed to feel, as I towed a camper (similar weight) frequently for seven camping seasons using three other vehicles.

I came across TSB #SSM 50917 (edit: link MC-10216041-0001.pdf (nhtsa.gov)). My Maverick was manufactured in November 2022, long after the TSB time range. However, I am intrigued by the mention of this settings menu. Can anyone else with 4K tow tell me if this menu is anything other than the gain level adjustment? I am wondering if I'm supposed to have other settings I can change to increase the power that is sent to the trailer brakes. The owner's manual is vague about what is supposed to be shown in the instrument cluster.

Since this is a new trailer, I am aware there could be a brake problem on the trailer. And I already found one - a broken wire at one of the hubs, which I was hoping would fix this issue. Although the re-wiring did stop the "trailer disconnected" error I'd been getting, it had no effect on the braking power once I had the functionality back.

I'm about to the point where I need to pull the trailer drums to see if there is an internal brake problem, but first I want to see if there's anything else obvious that I could be missing. Final note: I had a similar issue with a previous vehicle, with an aftermarket brake controller, and in that case the controller turned out to be defective (was sending proper voltage but not enough current).

Appreciate any suggestions as well as a report on this elusive menu!

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[Johnkn]

Do you have someone who can do a quick tow test to confirm the trailer is operational? It could be low fluid, air in lines, etc....

I purchased a high dollar aluminum triple axle boat trailer and on the way home (empty fortunately) noticed zero trailer brakes. I found a hose ripped off.

Good luck


.

 

[bluesteel]

Thanks but these are simple electric brakes!

 

[GPSMan]

Process of elimination:

Either:

A) have someone else pull your trailer, around the block is enough

or

B) you try pulling someone else's traier

All I can say without being there is at full gain the trailer should be stopping itself AND the Maverick on level ground.

Good chance at full gain trailer wheels would lock up. If you're not, something is wrong.

 

[Ron Neal]

I had trailer brake issues with my earlier Maverick but it was made in 21 and needed the trailer brake recall to fix. My current Maverick (made Oct 22) has no issues with the controller or brakes on trailer.
Agree with GPS man and solicit someone to tow your trailer or you tow someone else's. I never needed more than a 7 gain for a 3700lb trailer. You should be able to hear the brakes energizing if you stand by the hubs while someone hits the brake pedal.

 

[bluesteel]

Haven't done the I-pull-yours-or-you-pull-mine yet (there's no one really convenient for me to request that in my neighborhood), but I pulled the breakaway pin yesterday (with vehicle disconnected of course) and so far have determined the driver-side brake is activating; will try passenger side later today. I just want to know for sure that the magnets are working at all on both sides. The passenger side is more questionable since there is such a narrow gauge wire going to that brake assembly. I will report back.

I also have an appointment set up at the dealer next week for them to test the BC functionality on the Maverick. Always can cancel it if I identify a different problem before then.

 

[campjake]

Earlier this week I got my new travel trailer (about 2,300 lbs), and most everything has gone well, except the trailer brakes. I notice very little if any response from them while driving, even with the gain set at 10. There is a slight response when I use the manual slider, but nothing near what it should be - again, with gain set at 10. I know how trailer brakes are supposed to feel, as I towed a camper (similar weight) frequently for seven camping seasons using three other vehicles.

I came across TSB #SSM 50917 (edit: link MC-10216041-0001.pdf (nhtsa.gov)). My Maverick was manufactured in November 2022, long after the TSB time range. However, I am intrigued by the mention of this settings menu. Can anyone else with 4K tow tell me if this menu is anything other than the gain level adjustment? I am wondering if I'm supposed to have other settings I can change to increase the power that is sent to the trailer brakes. The owner's manual is vague about what is supposed to be shown in the instrument cluster.

Since this is a new trailer, I am aware there could be a brake problem on the trailer. And I already found one - a broken wire at one of the hubs, which I was hoping would fix this issue. Although the re-wiring did stop the "trailer disconnected" error I'd been getting, it had no effect on the braking power once I had the functionality back.

I'm about to the point where I need to pull the trailer drums to see if there is an internal brake problem, but first I want to see if there's anything else obvious that I could be missing. Final note: I had a similar issue with a previous vehicle, with an aftermarket brake controller, and in that case the controller turned out to be defective (was sending proper voltage but not enough current).

Appreciate any suggestions as well as a report on this elusive menu!

*Can you tell me what happened here? I have the same questions. My trailer is 2500 lbs. Even with the gain set on 10, it doesn't slow it as much as it should. I don't see additional tow settings on the Mav in the settings menu.

 

[bluesteel]

*Can you tell me what happened here? I have the same questions. My trailer is 2500 lbs. Even with the gain set on 10, it doesn't slow it as much as it should. I don't see additional tow settings on the Mav in the settings menu.

I ended up adjusting the star wheel at the back of the drums manually, I think as far as it would go, and although it did improve the braking force it seemed to wear off over the course of the season. When I get the camper out of storage I'm going to bring it in to someone who knows what they're doing to get the brakes checked out. I'm not interested in tackling that job myself.

 

[todd92]

Mine works fine.

 

[realshelby]

I used to tow enclosed car trailers a lot....

Try adding a ground wire to the brake backing plate and running it to the trailer frame. Sometimes the rubber bushings in springs and other factors don't allow a proper ground. Easy, cheap, and might surprise you that it can help how much power the brakes have afterward.

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