Bypassing Lippert ABS

Memmer99

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2023
Messages
13
First post but I’ve been a member and learning a lot since August 2023. I’ve run into an issue with my 2023 Reflection 278BH with Lippert ABS where it’s constantly jerking the truck at highway speeds. Even on flat smooth highway, it almost feels like the brakes are slightly engaging every 10-20 seconds which causes the camper to jerk back on the truck. I tried removing the fuse on the trucks trailer brakes system and it felt slightly better. At a light when I let my foot of the brake it feels like the trailer still has brakes. I’m guessing that’s the ABS since it’s powered off the 12v camper battery. I’m looking for a way to bypass the ABS to see if zero brakes fixes the issue.

At first, I thought it was off balance (we usually travel with minimal water) so tried traveling with a full tank of fresh water but no change. My camper has a 2” lift from simcoespring.com that was installed back in November. No issues after the install and we have nearly 4k miles since the lift.

I’m open to ideas and suggestions. This issue just started last month and it’s driving me nuts.

Thanks for your input,
James
 
First post but I’ve been a member and learning a lot since August 2023. I’ve run into an issue with my 2023 Reflection 278BH with Lippert ABS where it’s constantly jerking the truck at highway speeds. Even on flat smooth highway, it almost feels like the brakes are slightly engaging every 10-20 seconds which causes the camper to jerk back on the truck. I tried removing the fuse on the trucks trailer brakes system and it felt slightly better. At a light when I let my foot of the brake it feels like the trailer still has brakes. I’m guessing that’s the ABS since it’s powered off the 12v camper battery. I’m looking for a way to bypass the ABS to see if zero brakes fixes the issue.

At first, I thought it was off balance (we usually travel with minimal water) so tried traveling with a full tank of fresh water but no change. My camper has a 2” lift from simcoespring.com that was installed back in November. No issues after the install and we have nearly 4k miles since the lift.

I’m open to ideas and suggestions. This issue just started last month and it’s driving me nuts.

Thanks for your input,
James

Just a guess but if you can get to the ABS controller and unplug the power cable going to it, that might disable the braking system long enough for you to test and see if the problem goes away. A diagram for the ABS shows the controller on the right side of the RV midway close to the right front tire, inside the frame. You'll have to loosen or pull back the coroplast to get to it. Looks like there are 5 cables plugged into the controller. 4 that go to the individual wheels. One cable coming from the front of the RV, power and tow vehicle brake signal input, this is the one I would try to disconnect first.

Careful testing with no brakes on the trailer.
 
Not familiar with the new ABS brakes on trailers but could you turn the trucks brake controller all the way down and see if that makes a difference? Would that limit the amount of force the ABS can apply?
 
Just a guess but if you can get to the ABS controller and unplug the power cable going to it, that might disable the braking system long enough for you to test and see if the problem goes away. A diagram for the ABS shows the controller on the right side of the RV midway close to the right front tire, inside the frame. You'll have to loosen or pull back the coroplast to get to it. Looks like there are 5 cables plugged into the controller. 4 that go to the individual wheels. One cable coming from the front of the RV, power and tow vehicle brake signal input, this is the one I would try to disconnect first.

Careful testing with no brakes on the trailer.

Thanks, I have a copy of the diagram and troubleshooting manual you posted in the Solitude section. I need to sync an Android device and see if there are any trouble codes.
 
Not familiar with the new ABS brakes on trailers but could you turn the trucks brake controller all the way down and see if that makes a difference? Would that limit the amount of force the ABS can apply?

I actually tried removing the trucks brake controller fuse but I still feel some brakes being applied at a stop light. I even unplugged the 7 pin and drove for a mile but still feel a slight amount of brakes at a light.
 
I actually tried removing the trucks brake controller fuse but I still feel some brakes being applied at a stop light. I even unplugged the 7 pin and drove for a mile but still feel a slight amount of brakes at a light.

Oh yep, I see I missed that. Interesting issue. Will be curious to find out what the solution and cause turns out to be.
 
I actually tried removing the trucks brake controller fuse but I still feel some brakes being applied at a stop light. I even unplugged the 7 pin and drove for a mile but still feel a slight amount of brakes at a light.

Did you try pulling the break away lanyard and then reinstalling the pin?
 
I actually tried removing the trucks brake controller fuse but I still feel some brakes being applied at a stop light. I even unplugged the 7 pin and drove for a mile but still feel a slight amount of brakes at a light.

If that's the case it almost sounds like the RV brakes are adjusted too tight or the brake shoe actuating arm(s) with the magnet attached is sticking or stuck and are not releasing the brake shoes from the drum. I think I would start to think about taking the drums off and checking each wheel to see if one or more are sticking .
 
If that's the case it almost sounds like the RV brakes are adjusted too tight or the brake shoe actuating arm(s) with the magnet attached is sticking or stuck and are not releasing the brake shoes from the drum. I think I would start to think about taking the drums off and checking each wheel to see if one or more are sticking .

You may be on to something...
 
Well, I feel really stupid now... I ended up cutting all the brake lines to test my theory and the issue is still there. Looks like this may be more of a bucking/chucking problem. I notice some play in the Anderson ball and also in the coupler. I wonder if these 2 wear out after time. I bought the hitch used so not too sure how many miles are on it. I've added about 4k miles and it seemed solid until a few months ago. If I have to replace the hitch I'd like to go Gen-Y but I know this is not the section for that discussion.

Thanks for everyone's input!
 
Nothing “stupid” here, its a diagnostic exercise to rule out variables.

1-Feeling that the brakes are holding when leaving a stop:
I assume you confirmed the wheels spin freely or perhaps with a bit of brake drag. Also assume you do not have a time-based brake controller but rather a proportional controller. Assuming you are using the built-in controller in your TV it is the latter.

2-Andersen play in the ball/coupler
I have nearly 70k miles on my Andersen ball mount hitch. I see no play in the ball mount or coupler/pinbox and don’t expect there to be any. If you have some, I would encourage you to reach out to Andersen, they are very helpful and quite responsive.

3-Bucking/chucking
I have found a couple things that contribute/reduce. Coincidently, our 2016 RAM 3500 DRW was sagging in the rear when hooked up so I added Timbrens to the rear. This did two things, it stopped the sag at the rear end and STOPPED all movement in the cab. At that point I realized it wasn’t chucking (front-back movement) but rather the pin being supported by the truck’s leaf springs alone (Up-down bed movement).

To a lesser degree, we have found chucking contributors to be near-full tanks sloshing around, the Andersen coupler orientation (ie, how far over the axle the pin weight is) and weight distribution (ie, lighter pin=more chucking for us)

4-Regarding your lift, i assume your trailer is level to the ground and that you have observed proper bed height clearances as described in this Etrailer link: https://www.etrailer.com/question-144392.html
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5-Lippert brakes
If you determine lippert brakes/controller may be the culprit, reach out to them. They have a best-in-class support center.
 
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