Trailer brake problem can you help?

[Saltynuts]

Can someone help me? I have a question about my trailer brakes. I have my trailer up on blocks to do my brakes so I backed my truck up and hooked my 12 volt electric for the trailer. I have wife start the truck in park and press on the brake and I don't seem to have any brakes working but when she puts it in drive they seem all ok. Is that normal for them to only work in drive? I also tested my brake away switch it works fine and I tested my brake controller and it seems to be working. I would appreciate any help. Thanks Salty

 

[LJAZ]

Do you have an integrated brake controller on your truck? If so it might be programmed that way since you don't really need the brakes to activate when parked.

Aftermarket controllers, at least the ones I'm familiar with, don't have any way of recognizing what gear you're in so should still activate the brakes in park.

 

[Saltynuts]

Brakes

Thanks LJAZ I have an after market controller. I am also think being this one senses motion it wont active the brakes unless the truck is moving. All the brakes work if you pull the break away switch and they work if you manually use the controller so I think all is ok. When I finished my brake job I will road test it. Thanks for your input LJAZ.

 

[LJAZ]

Sounds like you have it figured out.

 

[Tacky]

Many trailer brake controllers have an accelerometer built in, and activate based on slowing of the tow vehicle. I have never tested one at a standstill but it would make sense that without tow vehicle movement there would not be braking.

 

[JimboFunFinder]

You do not want the trailer brakes to be active when the TV is in park as the electric brakes draw a lot of current and would run the battery down and burn out.