Trailer brakes sticking?

[willy1947]

I've got a 2003 cargo trailer and since the dealer attempted to fix my "squalling" brake noise (which they failed to do), my trailer brakes have been sticking since then. The controller shows no errors, the brake lights are not on, and it happens after I have been towing a little while, not right off the bat.



The brake controller is a drawtite (sp?) activator II.



It did this with my old truck and now my new truck. Luckily I have manual transmission now. So when I come to a complete stop, I can let the truck roll back just a little bit and they will brake loose. Then they don't stick until I come to another stop. (Or I can just use the power of my CTD and get back up to speed and they will break loose then)



Thoughts?



Thanks,

Dave

 

[Casey Balvert]

Adjust the brake shoes properly. That would be my first step. Turn the adjuster until the wheel will no longer turn and back off five notches. That should leave you just a bit of drag. Not sure what else would cause your problem.



Casey

 

[HBarlow]

Are you saying the trailer brakes work normally, not dragging all the time but after brake application, the brakes don't release properly?



If so, I would be suspicious of the brake controller. If it is not properly grounded, or if it has an internal electronic malfunction it could be maintaining a low voltage, keeping the brake magnets energized after you release the service brakes. You could check the voltage present at the pin on the seven pin trailer connector at the rear of the truck with trailer disconnected and after driving the truck a while. It should read 12 volts when the brake pedal is depressed and 0 volts with brake released.



Checking the trailer's brake adjustment makes sense but I'd assume the trailer dealer either adjusted your brakes or checked them when you complained about brake noise.



Harvey

 

[Bill Stockard]

Dave,



I had the same problem with an early model Kelsey Hayes inertia type brake controller. As Harvey suggested, I checked the controller output voltage and the problem was the brake controller. I replaced it and the problem never reappeared.



Bill

 

[willy1947]

I'll check that out, but this is a new controller on a new truck. My previous truck was wired by me and did not develope this problem until after the trailer place messed with the brakes on the trailer. This new truck is completely wired from the factory and the brake controller is brand new. It only happens after braking. I can't just apply the brakes and have them stick.



What you said makes sense, buy will be hard to determine. They quit sticking just after I stop. Maybe someone could ride in the back of my truck, hop out and check them just as I stop



Thanks,

Dave

 

[Bill Stockard]

You don't have to check the voltage going down the road. Have a helper manually activate the brake controller with the trailer disconnected while you measure the voltage at the trailer connector at the rear of your truck. If the voltage doesn't go back to "0" when the manual control is released, replace the controller. New controllers can be defective too.



Bill

 

[willy1947]

Ok, I'll make sure I test it the safe way



Thanks for the advice.



I was just thinking that if my controllers were defective, I should notice this same problem towing other trailers. Right? I've towed three other trailers since this problem started. None of the other trailers every had this happen. Strange



Thanks,

Dave

 

[clem]

If all else fails check your brake shoes. A cracked shoe will make the wheel lock-up,also out of adjustment will do the same thing. Been down that road more than once. If it gets bad enough, flat spots get dragged on the tire. Had that problem bad on tri-axle trailers. Hope you find the Cause soon tires cost$$$