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Old 02-07-2016, 08:10 PM   #1
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why is there a strong burning brake odor when going uphill

Hi, we are newbies and thought we had done our towing research, but notice when we are towing up or down hill, there is a very strong burning break odor. We have a 2015 Sierra Max 1500, towing a 2013 Wildwood 27RLSS. Do we have our trailer break system too high? Also since we do not have a weigh station anywhere close, how do we know we are within weight limits. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 02-07-2016, 08:20 PM   #2
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Truck stop scales....find a downward hill and shift into neutral, and see if you can coast down.....let you know if brakes are set to tight....and you could temporarily disconnect elec plug to trailer and set what happens then
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Old 02-07-2016, 08:53 PM   #3
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Is it just on hills or call the time? Are you riding your brakes down the hill? Use your engine for downhill.Are you sure you are not smelling g your tranny burning and not your brakes?
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Old 02-07-2016, 08:53 PM   #4
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Thanks Bob, we will give it a try. Unfortunately no truck stops near by either. At least an hour and a half away.
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Old 02-07-2016, 08:55 PM   #5
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Not riding the brakes. How can we tell the difference between the brakes or trannie?
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:00 PM   #6
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Trans dipstick....red in color...good....brown...been hot.....could it be a slipp'n fan belt?

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Old 02-07-2016, 09:03 PM   #7
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Not riding the brakes. How can we tell the difference between the brakes or trannie?
By coasting....downhill....is your controller adjustable/ try back'n it off......but if that's the problem, should be a strain tow'n on level ground.....should not be any power from truck to trailer brakes till you touch the pedal...might also make sure the break-away plunger is fully seated...just push's in
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:04 PM   #8
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Where is the smell strongest? Do you have a separate tranny temp gauge to tell how hot your transmission is? Does your truck have a transmission cooler? The way dh describes the difference is transmission is more burning smell than brakes which get more of a burnt grease smell.
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:23 PM   #9
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If you can smell " brakes " you will certainly be able feel heat from the affected wheel. Just my .02....
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:27 PM   #10
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If you can smell " brakes " you will certainly be able feel heat from the affected wheel. Just my .02....
Agree.
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:28 PM   #11
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Will check the trannie fluid color first thing tomorrow. Thank you.
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:28 PM   #12
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best and safest way to check trailer brakes, is to jack up and spin by hand. If they were dragging though, they would be dragging all the time, not just on a hill. The serpentine belt can't sense a hill either. Of course it's hard to describe a smell, but I'm guessing transmission.
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:31 PM   #13
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We have a trannie temp gage. Will be sure tokkeep an eye on it on our next trip. Also going to try and back down the trailer break control.
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:32 PM   #14
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The belt can sense a hill....downshift to higher rpm....stick'n caliper will cause it to vere one way or the other...
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:37 PM   #15
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Thanks. Truck is rated to tow 11,200lb, trailer weight is about 7500 loaded. Shouldn't the trannie be able to handle this? We are new to this and have only towed trailer three times.
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Old 02-07-2016, 09:41 PM   #16
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It's never about what the truck can tow, it all about the cargo carrying capacity on the yellow door sticker. But at face value I pulled 7500 with a 2010 Chevy 1500 z71 for 120,000 miles before selling the truck.

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Old 02-07-2016, 09:47 PM   #17
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Thank you everyone. At least we now have a starting point of things to look at.
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Old 02-08-2016, 12:35 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dlennick View Post
Hi, we are newbies and thought we had done our towing research, but notice when we are towing up or down hill, there is a very strong burning break odor. We have a 2015 Sierra Max 1500, towing a 2013 Wildwood 27RLSS. Do we have our trailer break system too high? Also since we do not have a weigh station anywhere close, how do we know we are within weight limits. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
If you have a standard transmission, you may be smelling the pressure plate on the clutch if it is slipping.

If brakes are dragging because they are too tight or hung up, you will have a hot drum. Use a spray bottle with some water in it and see if it steams when you spritz them. Don't just touch with your hand ... you may leave some skin on the hot drum and a nasty burn to ruin your camping trip.

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Old 02-08-2016, 12:43 PM   #19
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Brake smell

Quote:
Originally Posted by dlennick View Post
Hi, we are newbies and thought we had done our towing research, but notice when we are towing up or down hill, there is a very strong burning break odor. We have a 2015 Sierra Max 1500, towing a 2013 Wildwood 27RLSS. Do we have our trailer break system too high? Also since we do not have a weigh station anywhere close, how do we know we are within weight limits. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Every stop, gas, rest bathroom; walk around trailer and feel wheels and tires. You should be able to touch trhem. If too hot, have it checked out.
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Old 02-08-2016, 01:59 PM   #20
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@dlennick...your profile shows Largo FL and there are SEVERAL truck stops with scales within 30 miles of you... check here for closest to you.
Clearwater, Florida Truck Scales and Weigh Stations for Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies at Truckstops
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