stuck brakes i think

[tim305]

Hitched up my 5th wheel to pull it out of storage preparing to head south. Trailer won't budge. feels like the brakes are lock on. checked the emergency disconnect cable and it appears intact. what would cause this and how do i unlock the brakes.

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by tim305

Hitched up my 5th wheel to pull it out of storage preparing to head south. Trailer won't budge. feels like the brakes are lock on. checked the emergency disconnect cable and it appears intact. what would cause this and how do i unlock the brakes.

Most likely rust unless your brakes are energized from TV power or its been without 12V power....till you stuck the battery in ?? I wouldn't think the brake magnets would last very long energized.

Did you try to back-up a little? If the brakes are stuck I would think that would free them. Bad news is... if they are stuck then they need to be inspected ASAP. IMO Friction material is glued to the web and moisture and rust is a foe of the brakes long term.

[tim305]

i tried backing up and it won't budge. the battery was dead also. what is tv power?

[Decon Blue]

Originally Posted by tim305

i tried backing up and it won't budge. the battery was dead also. what is tv power?

Tow vehicle.

[tim305]

where does the power to energize the brakes come from when the emergency cable brake is pulled and the trailer separates from the tv?

[Flybob]

Power comes from the RV Battery

[SidecarFlip]

Get yourself a 5 pound drilling hammer or a big claw hammer and get under the unit and wack each drum. I bet the shoes are frozen (rusted) to the drums. Pretty common in big trucks, I always carry a hammer just for that.

[Mr. Dan]

I would check that emergency brake switch again. It could be pulled (making a connection) without being separated enough to appear "in-intact".

[Iwannacamp]

You might TEMPORARILY disconnect the RV battery to see if it frees the brakes...if it does check the emergency switch and go from there.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

You might TEMPORARILY disconnect the RV battery to see if it frees the brakes...if it does check the emergency switch and go from there.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

If it don't, use the hammer.

[herdsman]

Also try unplugging the trailer plug.

I had a situation once where there was a short in the socket on the TV - the 12v got shorted to the brake lead. I hooked to the trailer (a cattle in this case) and pulled out on to the road - the brakes on one axle were locked up solid. Now comes the dumb part. I was headed downhill and I got out of the truck leaving it in neutral, no parking brake needed cause the brakes were locked, walked back and wiggled the plug. The brakes released and the truck and trailer started rolling. Almost ran myself over, and then almost suffered a heart attack running to catch up and jump in the truck.

[Tiggerdad]

Originally Posted by tim305

where does the power to energize the brakes come from when the emergency cable brake is pulled and the trailer separates from the tv?

Comes from the RV battery. If it is dead or an issue with power to the brakes there will be no emergency braking. It is critical that RV battery is and stays charged during towing and power to those brakes if the emergency cable is pulled.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

If it don't, use the hammer.

I'm with you......Nothing like some good Ole fashioned hammer bashing on a brake drum.......I did that a lot on a 73 Maverick.

[buffalohunter]

Originally Posted by tim305

Hitched up my 5th wheel to pull it out of storage preparing to head south. Trailer won't budge. feels like the brakes are lock on. checked the emergency disconnect cable and it appears intact. what would cause this and how do i unlock the brakes.

I had the same situation years ago with my 5th wheel. It was corrosion/rust that caused the problem. Pushed with the truck real hard in drive and then in reverse, after a couple of tries the brakes freed up and all was good again. Needless to say I then removed the brake drums and cleaned every thing real well. The problem never presented again.

Good luck with getting your brake issue resolved.

[nodrawers]

I think I would check to see if 12V is at brakes before I got to radical with that hammer. If you are pluged to TV you have 12V going to tlr

[Big Bill]

If the brake magnets are entergized you will hear a buzz bt the drums and feel a little vibration, if not, try the hammer trick, if t frees the brakes up its rust, and the RV needs to be used more Good Luck

[Mr Havercamp]

Works every time but take careful aim!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebeYs3hLm-w

[retiredcamper47]

Hold a compass by the hub. If the brake magnets are energized, the needle will fluctuate on the compass. At least that is what I have been told.

Bob

[Lvn2tvl]

I agree this sounds like a mechanical lockup not an electric one. Jack up the rig and tap the hub while putting pressure to turn each one of the wheels until they break loose. Remember do not put the jack on the individual axles because separately they aren't meant to support the entire weight of the trailer.

If you crush an axle you'll have even more issues but if this problem is bad enough you may have to do just that.

Make sure you follow up and do a complete axle bearing lubrication and cleaning. Grease will get more solid as it ages and will basically be useless for lubrication if it dries out enough.

[SidecarFlip]

Been my experience (I've used the hammer many times in brake drums..) you don't need to jack up anything. Just get underneath and wack the drums or backing plates a couple times. I use a 5 pound drilling hammer myself. If they are rust siezed, they will break right loose.