Electric brakes issues Info need

[Soundguy]

But failing a no load test?

 

[tawilson]

Wouldn't pulling the plug on the break away switch be a way to isolate the problem?

 

[Diamondpilot]

He was going to try and fix the problem. I had my trailer at the largest RV center in my area and they could not figure it out. So I know he isn't going to figure it out. The RV place told me brakes t small for trailer weight and size

I'm sure you took it to a big dealer but that doesn't mean the person working on it knows what they are doing or could have simply overlooked something small. I've seen brakes on the wrong side that two or three people didn't catch.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Wouldn't pulling the plug on the break away switch be a way to isolate the problem?

Yes it would assuming the battery is good and fully charged. A better way is applying 12volts to the BRAKES circuit with a large battery and jumpers.

Chris

 

[oliver1555]

Wouldn't pulling the plug on the break away switch be a way to isolate the problem?

Depends. A bad ground might not allow the full amperage to reach the magnets. There is a big difference in performance between a correctly wired trailer (all grounds leading to a common wire that goes directly through the plug to the tow vehicle) and one that just grounds everything to the frame. If the grounds are to the frame, each point has the potential to corrode or loosen.

 

[Soundguy]

On my trailers I always use a multiple redundant ground setup. There is copper all the way back to the tow vehicle, in addition to frame ground. All my trucks and trailers have an aux ground wire I hookup from truck to trailer. Makes for good brakes and bright lights

 

[HK45]

Another thing thats weird. 5 wheel seals blown out within 150 miles. Dexter and the dealer found that strange. When trailer was brand new I had to have one wheel seal replaced. Then about 100 miles later all 4. So whats the possibility the first dealer used the same brand seal as the factory dexter seal that they are claiming mite be defective. I know it seems like there could only be a few things, but a lot is going on inside that brake or axle who knows. How many time do you hear about blown wheel seals brand new trailer with 150 miles on it ?

 

[tcartwri]

Another thing thats weird. 5 wheel seals blown out within 150 miles. Dexter and the dealer found that strange. When trailer was brand new I had to have one wheel seal replaced. Then about 100 miles later all 4. So whats the possibility the first dealer used the same brand seal as the factory dexter seal that they are claiming mite be defective. I know it seems like there could only be a few things, but a lot is going on inside that brake or axle who knows. How many time do you hear about blown wheel seals brand new trailer with 150 miles on it ?

Someone messed up the bearing preload when they assembled them. It sounds like your dealer is a bit of an idiot.

 

[Soundguy]

Yup, or they got over greased like crazy

 

[oliver1555]

Finally had the trailer breaks checked out. All four are shot and covered in grease. Good news they are getting replaced under warranty. Bad new why did this happen, and will it happen again.View attachment 414092View attachment 414092View attachment 414092View attachment 414093View attachment 414094View attachment 414095View attachment 414096View attachment 414097

Did the spindle caps have grease zerks? You may have stated that, but I didn't pick up on it in reading. Also, do the first four pictures show the left side of the trailer? I know you're done with this trailer, but I am still trying to find a reason for your trailer's problem.

 

[aczlan]

Did the spindle caps have grease zerks? You may have stated that, but I didn't pick up on it in reading. Also, do the first four pictures show the left side of the trailer? I know you're done with this trailer, but I am still trying to find a reason for your trailer's problem.

Assuming that the axle was mounted properly (pivot to the front) they are:
Left (note the inner grease seal inboard of the inner wheel bearing):
View attachment 414092
Right:
View attachment 414096

Aaron Z

 

[oliver1555]

Assuming that the axle was mounted properly (pivot to the front) they are: Aaron Z

That is why I asked which side is pictured. As Diamondpilot stated earlier, if the brakes are installed wrong, left to right and right to left, they won't work well. If those pictures show the left side, they are correct. If they show the right side, they are not. I know this might seem like beating a dead horse, but there has to be reason for no braking power.

 

[crazyal]

We can come up with plenty of ideas of what's wrong but if the OP doesn't want to deal with it and the dealership is taking it back it really doesn't matter as we will never know what is wrong. I agree that trailer brakes are very simple and I fail to see how any dealership wouldn't be able to fix the problem. My personality is the type that refuses to not fix a problem. Just something about the challenge and wanting to feel like I "won". But at this point in time it's all speculation. Maybe someone can take the time to write up a good post on how to troubleshoot trailer brakes since issues with them seam to come up all the time.

 

[Soundguy]

The best write up on trailer electric brakes I ever saw was:

Check your grounds!

 

[powerscol]

I just spotted something. The activation magnet shows no wear and there is no shinny spot on the inboard face of the drum in Attachment 414092 the magnet in the next attachment, shows wear, but it is not even.

Remember it is the drag on the magnets that puts pressure on the shoes. MY guess they are not getting adequate current to work regardless of what the controller is saying. Just my 02