grabbing trailer brakes

[Al Mendes]

Just bought 99 27' Sunnybrook travel trailer,everytime we hook up to the truck the trailer brakes just grab terribly until the brake controler is reajusted again. Have kelsey-hayes controler we previously had 27' roadranger never had to reajust do i have to have a brake resistor or new type of controler. I would appreacite any help with this, if anyone has experienced this type of problem. Thank you Al Mendes

 

[Barry]

Is the green circuit complete light on or off or is it flashing??

 

[Al Mendes]

We have a kelsey energizer with slide control with a red light no green light. Al Mendes

 

[WestTN]

Grabbing brakes

Al,

Does your trailer have the brake wires crossing to the other side through the axle tubes? If so, they may be wearing through and shorting out on occasion. Watch closely and see if the jerking happens more often on rough roads. Keep in mind the axle tubes are below the springs and really bounce when the road is rough. I had this problem for a couple of years until I finally found the time to look into it. If this is your problem, it will continue to get worse until repaired.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Grabbing brakes

Al, I had similar problem with Tekonsha Voyager controller. Wouldn't stay adjusted, kept grabbing when I would slow down. Turned out the little pendalum in the controller had broken loose. Had to replace controller. bg

 

[C Schomer]

My 2k SB has EZ lube hubs and grease got past the seals - I never greased it myself, it was the Dexter boys. Dexter got to warranty it! It's been grease every time I've had grabby trailer brakes. I've had to clean or replace the shoes and take a sanding block to the magnets. Craig

 

[rdanley]

BRAKES GRABBING

I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM BUT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE WAY I HAD MY BRAKE AWAY LANYARD WAS HOOK UP. NOT REALLY THE WAY IT WAS HOOKED UP BUT WHEN I HAD OTHER GEAR IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK IT WOULD GET CAUGHT AND PULL ON THE LANYARD WHICH WOULD GIVE ME A INTERMITTEN GRABBING AS I WAS TRAVLING DONE THE ROAD. ALSO WHEN I PURCHASED MY NEW TRUCK I HAD THE TRALIER PLACE INSTALL MY CONTROLER, WHEN THEY WIRED IT IN THEY RAN MY WIRES ON TOP OF THE LEAF SPRINGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. ON THE FIRST TIME I SAT MY FIVER ON THE BED IT CUT THE WIRES NOW I DID NOT GET GRABBING FROM THAT I JUST LOST ALL BRAKES TO MY TRAILER . WHEN THAT HAPPENED I LOST MY FUEL PUMP FUSE ALSO ?

 

[Shooter]

Pull the wheels and drum, inspect the seals, bearings and brakes. Since it is used you have no idea what condition they are in. Could be worn out magnets or shoes, grease on the shoes or magnets, broken brake hardware. broken or shorted wiring ????



Then again it could be wiring or a failing controler ?????



Brakes can kill!!!!



If you bought it from a dealer take it back and have them check the brakes. Heck of a liability if they sold a unit with bad brakes. . If they are ok it is worth the peace of mind knowing it is not the trailer brakes or wiring and having fresh packed wheel bearings w /new seales.

 

[JMichelson]

Al, I had the same problem with my 22 ft travel trailer. It was worse at low speeds, the brakes would grab and in gravel they would lock up. I had an older controller. I replaced it with a Tekonsha Prodigy. ( Camping World $ 149. 00) It’s a digital controller and so far it works well and cured my grabbing brake problem. I know a lot of manufactures are making digital controllers so you have lots of options if you find the controller is the problem. Jeff

http://www.tekonsha.com/