Is this normal?

[paul dyar]

I had hauled sofa and loveseat to Stone Mountain. On the way back (approximately. 10 miles) I noticed the left tire was locking down when I braked. The most it could have slid at any one time would have been approximately. 15 feet. I know the brake controller was set to high, but I have slid tires before and never had this to happen.
Paul

 

[sweettractors]

I can't see 15 ft doing that kinda damage. Ken Sweet

 

[hawkeye08]

sounds like your brakes are not adjusted evenly AND your controller was set too high.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I agree with the others. You need to adjust your brakes then the controller. Its time to get dirty. Also, brakes will tend to lockup if you are leaking grease out of the seal. How long has it been since you have done a repack/seal job? Also what type of tires are they? Bias or Radial? The bias will wear quicker when locked up than a radial.

Chris

 

[paul dyar]

I bought this trailer in June this year. Took all wheels off cleaned and repacked all bearings. Adjusted the brakes to where they would lock on dry grass but not the pavement. I spent half a day playing with the brakes. The tires I had posted about when I bought the trailer. It had one miss-matched tire. They were 700-15 so I was having hard time finding tires to match. I found some on the internet, and this is one of them. Brand new tire. I already stated I had the controller to high, but I have run it high before. I will check for grease on the brake shoes tomorrow. Did you notice the tread on the outside of the tire was not hurt? Thanks for the replies.
Paul

 

[Diamondpilot]

I take it you got the trailer used. If that is the case and the tires are the size you say I am assuming they are Bias.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

both axles brake axles?

if not, is the tounge at the wrong level and one axle not weighted corectly / trailer not loaded correctly..

soundguy

 

[paul dyar]

Only one brake axel. Trailer was not loaded, and level.
Paul

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. then set too high for the weight / load.... if they were adjusted correctly..

 

[dodge man]

I know what you are talking about Paul, thats the first thing I noticed, was how just the middle of the tire had a flat spot. I'm just guessing here, but the tires were inflated to a pressure for a heavy load, and since the trailer was unloaded, the middle part of the tire was in contact with the road, hence the flat spot in the middle only. I hate pulling a empty trailer myself, they are bouncy and ride terrible.

Do you have fenders for it? I think they are required aren't they?