Help!!! Female traveling with no idea how to fix a emergency break cable being pulled

**DawnHundley** · 06-21-2021, 02:30 PM

My husband and are from Florida and just arrived in upstate New York (in the middle of nowhere) on a 3-4 week vacay. My husband had a stroke last June and is doing GREAT but has trouble with mechanical things and solving mechanical problems. About 2 hours before our stop we switched drivers and notice a signal in our truck that said trailer disconnected. I looked out the back window and everything looked normal and the light went out. Close to the end of the drive it signaled again. I thought it might have been the power cord jiggling loose from the truck. When we arrived at our campsite I smelled what seemed like brakes burning. After unhitching my husband found that the emergency brake wire had been pulled out from the rv. When I tried placing it back into the rv I noticed it was melted and smoking.
I don't know what to do now. Are the trailer brakes bad? Do I try to order and new receptacle to replace the old one and plug it back in? I have tried reading some forums but I don't understand all the terminology. We are here for 5 nights and then have reservations in Maine. If anyone knows anything about this please reply.
Thank you
Dawn Hundley

**Ynot4me2** · 06-21-2021, 02:43 PM

Knowing what year and model you have will help us help you. Best to add that info in your signature for future use.
When we took delivery of our 22mle, the dealer warned not to leave the emergency breakaway switch engage (pulled) for a long time as it would melt. That part will need to be replaced. It's an easy fix if you have the part. Depending on how long you've been rolling with your brakes activated, you might or might not have brake damage.

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**huntr70** · 06-21-2021, 02:43 PM

The break away switches are pretty common and are an easy, 2 wire change.

Ask the campground owner or manager is there is a local dealership close by. If not, maybe a next day Amazon delivery.

Bad part is, your brakes have been activated for a long time. If towing, the pads may be worn down to nothing and need replaced also.

I would look for a local dealer or mobile tech and go from there.

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-52010-Tr...61938781&psc=1

**Ynot4me2** · 06-21-2021, 02:44 PM

Another option might be to call a mobile tech to help you out.

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**NB Canada** · 06-21-2021, 02:46 PM

It is an easy fix to change the emergency breakaway but you likely have destroyed the brakes as well

2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

**The_Lovells** · 06-21-2021, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by DawnHundley

My husband and are from Florida and just arrived in upstate New York (in the middle of nowhere) on a 3-4 week vacay. My husband had a stroke last June and is doing GREAT but has trouble with mechanical things and solving mechanical problems. About 2 hours before our stop we switched drivers and notice a signal in our truck that said trailer disconnected. I looked out the back window and everything looked normal and the light went out. Close to the end of the drive it signaled again. I thought it might have been the power cord jiggling loose from the truck. When we arrived at our campsite I smelled what seemed like brakes burning. After unhitching my husband found that the emergency brake wire had been pulled out from the rv. When I tried placing it back into the rv I noticed it was melted and smoking.
I don't know what to do now. Are the trailer brakes bad? Do I try to order and new receptacle to replace the old one and plug it back in? I have tried reading some forums but I don't understand all the terminology. We are here for 5 nights and then have reservations in Maine. If anyone knows anything about this please reply.
Thank you
Dawn Hundley

You really need a trailer mechanic to look at your RV. It does not have to be an RV Technician, but that would be best. However, any trailer mechanic familiar with electric trailer braking systems will be a good fit. You need the brakes, emergency brake switch, and the wheel bearings examined. If indeed your brakes were on for 2 hours there is a good chance that the brakes are beyond repair, and the wheel bearings may have shed their grease as the brakes heated up the hubs with that amount of friction. Good luck and let us know how you guys make out.

**huntindog** · 06-21-2021, 03:21 PM

Unfortunantly this is gonna be expensive.... As others have said, it may have even affected the bearings. DO NOT be tempted to cheap out on fixing it properly now! If the bearings were affected, they will not last long, and it will get even more expensive

**Redapple63** · 06-21-2021, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Ynot4me2

Another option might be to call a mobile tech to help you out.

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X2 on the mobile tech. There is really no way to know the damage until you give them a look, a good visual inspection. I am actually thinking more tire damage than brakes. If the tires were locked up that is. I truly wish you the best here with hopes the damage is minimal.

**geotex1** · 06-21-2021, 05:13 PM

If you can share the general area of where you are Upstate, maybe membership here can help you find a tech.

**Cannon07** · 06-21-2021, 05:21 PM

If you could find a local trailer repair shop they can replace brakes, repack bearings and have you on your way in a few hrs. for a lot less cost than a rv shop. I don't how close you are to any city. I live south of Atlanta and could go 20miles any direction and find one. Not sure about that up where you are.