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06-10-2015, 05:04 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
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Trailer brakes lock
The electric brakes on my trailer work as they should most of the time, but sometimes one or more of the wheels will lock up. What would be causing this ? Any ideas, Thanks
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06-10-2015, 05:07 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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What brake controller are you using ?? What year and model of trailer ??
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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06-10-2015, 05:32 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Missouri
Posts: 441
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Had the Same Problem
Quote:
Originally Posted by captdave
The electric brakes on my trailer work as they should most of the time, but sometimes one or more of the wheels will lock up. What would be causing this ? Any ideas, Thanks
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I had the same problem. I'd get the brake controller adjusted to where I wanted it, and it'd lock up after a few stops. Finally took it back to the dealer and they found wiring connections hadn't been made to the brakes on the back axle. Everything is fine now. One more item the factory and dealer failed to finish/find. It was still under warranty.
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06-10-2015, 05:45 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
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It doesn't sound like a controller issue since it is not occurring on all wheels at the same time. It sound like you are either getting an intermittent short, the magnets are damaged, or it's not a brake issue at all. Your bearings may be going and getting an occasional lock up.
Either way it is not safe to tow. It needs to be fully inspected. I would imagine you'll have some wheel damage as well.
I feel for ya.. just be glad you were paying enough attention to your rig that nothing catastrophic has happened. Good on ya!
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06-10-2015, 05:49 PM
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#5
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yarome
... I would imagine you'll have some wheel damage as well...
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Don't see how he would have wheel damage, but could see some hub damage.
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06-10-2015, 06:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
Don't see how he would have wheel damage, but could see some hub damage.
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I should have said tire instead of wheel. Just thinking that having 1 or 2 wheels locking up and dragging down the road mid tow might not be too good for them.
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06-10-2015, 07:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,363
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Trailer brakes lock
Might check & see if you are getting some grease on that one brake pad. Also I had a short in a wire going to one wheel that would allow it to drag now an then.
Russell
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06-10-2015, 09:44 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
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I have a drawtite activator II, trailer is a 2007 cherokee. I plan to take it to the shop, just wondering what might be causing it. Thanks for the information.
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06-11-2015, 08:33 AM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by captdave
I have a drawtite activator II, trailer is a 2007 cherokee. I plan to take it to the shop, just wondering what might be causing it. Thanks for the information.
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That brake controller may be part of the problem. That is a time actuated brake controller. You set the delay and intensity. If the intensity is set too high, after the set delay is reached you may be applying too much electricity to the brakes.
A proportional brake controller would be a better choice.
The other part of the equation is the year of the trailer. With an 8 year old trailer, a thorough inspection of the brakes are due, including wiring, shoe pad remaining, magnets, along with grease seal inspection/replacement.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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06-15-2015, 02:13 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
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The trailer seams ok, so I ordered a new proportional brake controller.
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06-15-2015, 05:28 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,363
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Not understand it being a controller issue. If it's a controller issue one would think all wheels would lock up. I guess is some wheels are loaded much heaver than the others then the lightest one might skid?
Russell
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06-15-2015, 05:35 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 908
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From experience I can tell you all wheels do not lock up if you have the gain to high.
When I had my last trailer I was adjusting the brake controller and my passenger side would lock up, but not the drivers side if the gain was to high. Never knew why, but eventually I got it "just right" after several times around the block and adjusting it.
__________________
Mark B.
2021 GMC 1500
Anderson WDH
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06-15-2015, 05:36 PM
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#13
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CAT-RN
Might check & see if you are getting some grease on that one brake pad. Also I had a short in a wire going to one wheel that would allow it to drag now an then.
Russell
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Grease on a shoe will definitely NOT make it grab, just the opposite. Now, if he has grease on 3 shoes, then one would definitely grab.
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06-15-2015, 06:21 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,363
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Trailer brakes lock
I just respectfully disagree. Been in the truck & trailer business for 40 year. Grease attracts dirt & grime and will cause one wheel to drag. Most likely not his issue as it can be several other things. I really don't figure it to be a controller problem as all wheels would either work or not work.
Russell
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06-15-2015, 09:26 PM
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#15
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Grease may attract dirt, but grease by nature reduces the coefficient of friction and will impede the function of the brake shoe with the drum. If you want something to slide easier, you apply grease.
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06-15-2015, 09:28 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,363
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Trailer brakes lock
Not on a hot brake drum. Hot brake drum & grease lock up in a second. On a bolt maybe. That all I care to say about it. I'm not here to have any disagreement. Really don't matter to me
Russell
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06-15-2015, 09:36 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 442
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CAT-RN
Not on a hot brake drum. Hot brake drum & grease lock up in a second. On a bolt maybe. That all I care to say about it. I'm not here to have any disagreement. Really don't matter to me
Russell
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x2 this is true/
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haven a blast
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06-15-2015, 10:18 PM
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#18
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CAT-RN
Not on a hot brake drum. Hot brake drum & grease lock up in a second. On a bolt maybe. That all I care to say about it. I'm not here to have any disagreement. Really don't matter to me
Russell
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They have to get hot first! Driving thru water will do the same as soon as the water is dried off the shoes.
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