No Trailer Brakes! A DIY Roadside Repair
So we managed to run over our 7-pin connector, which provides power to the trailer brakes and lights. Now we have no trailer brakes or lights, so we need to perform an emergency repair. The trouble is… we have no parts or tools! The other thing is that we need to race back to the island before the lake level drops too low for the barge. Read on to see how we tackled this unexpected challenge!
Table of Contents
- Rough Start
- The Epic Saga Unfolds
- Random Act of Kindness
- Off to the Wreckers
- Another Good Samaritan
- A New S.O.P. (Safety First)
- Did Ryan Make It Through Those Shallows?
Rough Start
We’ve had a bit of a rough day. The moment we realized we drove over our 7-pin connector was surreal. It’s not supposed to look like that! As we assessed the situation, we knew we had to act fast. Without the connector, the trailer brakes and lights could not function. We couldn’t pull the trailer without any lights or brakes! What do we do now?
The Epic Saga Unfolds
We had no tools, no parts, and a looming deadline to get back to the island. Melodi began canvassing strangers in search of electrical tape while I tried to figure out how to connect the trailer wires. The trailer plug was obviously beyond repair, but the truck socket connector only needed one of the pins to be replaced. With both the plug and the socket out of commission however, the only option was to somehow McGuyver the trailer wires directly to the truck. It was dark, and cold, and wet. Not an ideal situation…
Random Act of Kindness
Melodi was able to borrow packing tape from the gas station attendant, which was only slightly better than no tape at all. Even so, Ryan could not get power to the trailer. Then it occurred to him that the fuse probably blew when the trailer plug disintegrated. The trouble is, with no tools, he couldn’t pull the fuse to check! Fortunately, a random customer from the gas station stopped and offered to help. He didn’t have a fuse puller, but he did have a can opener… it worked! The offending fuse was swapped out and temporary power was restored to the trailer brakes and lights.
Off to the Wreckers
It only had to hold to the next town, where we planned to drop the trailer and continue on to the nearest city to search for parts and tools to effect a permanent repair. First, we thought about repairing the truck socket connector, but Chrysler wanted a whopping $188 for a tiny metal piece! Instead, we decided to head to an auto wrecker to see if we could find a more affordable solution. We did. It cost only $15 for an entire replacement 7-pin socket.
Another Good Samaritan
Our next objective was to find a new 7-pin trailer plug, which we managed to locate easily for under $30. We then drove back to the town where we had left the trailer to initiate the repair. Without a wiring diagram, Ryan attempted to connect the socket to the truck wiring and the plug to the end of the cable coming from the trailer. It only partially worked. Fortunately, another good Samaritan stopped by to help — and he was an electrician!! With his expertise and after some trial and error, we successfully connected all the wires, and we were back on our way. Phew!
A New S.O.P. (Safety First)
Let’s face it: Roadside repairs are a reality and having a basic set of tools on board when travelling long distances is essential. We learned that the hard way! Now, we’re implementing a new standard operating procedure to ensure we always have the necessary diagnostic tools on hand. We also keep the boat lashed to the barge to be used as a lifeboat – just in case…
Did Ryan Make It Through Those Shallows?
After our repairs, we faced another challenge – a major time constraint. The lake level was dropping rapidly, and we had hurry back to the barge in order to be able to bring it through the bay to the boat ramp. Ryan had to maneuver through some tricky shallows, but with a careful eye and a little luck, we made it through safely!
In the end, we managed to fix the trailer wiring with a bit of creativity and community help. It’s experiences like these that remind us of the importance of being prepared and resourceful, especially when living off the grid. If you enjoyed our story, please support us by clicking the thumbs up icon on YouTube and subscribe for more content!
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