Rear trailer brakes overheating

[hosspuller]

Did you notice any difference in the magnets or magnet wire color? There are different magnets used in the various brake assemblies within a size 2x10, 2x12 etc. The rear axles may have a different magnet that is causing more braking than the fronts.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Also possible for the primary and secondary shoes to be installed wrong. This can lead to self-tightening. The lining is located differently on the two shoes sometimes hard to tell which is which. I would compare with the front brakes to see if the shoes are installed the same way.

 

[mikehaugen]

Also possible for the primary and secondary shoes to be installed wrong. This can lead to self-tightening. The lining is located differently on the two shoes sometimes hard to tell which is which. I would compare with the front brakes to see if the shoes are installed the same way.

Not sure if it's the same on trailers but on cars the shoe with more lining goes towards the rear

 

[JPRambo]

Another question? when I slowly step on the brakes I always see the full output on the digital controller, if I set it to 7.0 then when I touch the brakes it says 7.0 is this correct? seems to me it would have to be this way as its hooked to the brake lite wire I think

My controller ('03 Silverado) slowly counts from 0.0 up to the setting I dial in depending on which trailer I am towing.

 

[RobertN]

Never trust used trailer wiring

A few years back we bought a nice used 5th wheel. I was all set up for towing with the truck, since I had been trailering my tractor now and then for years. The 5th wheel did ok, but I noted the rear brakes seemed to heat a bit, and on steep downhill runs, even the truck brakes warmed.

I was repacking bearings and checking brakes, and found the rear brakes worn. As I investifgated, I finally hooked the 5th wheel cable to the truck. Low voltage. Chased it all over the place(had my wife working brakes and controller in truck). I even brought my neighbors truck over to see if it was my controller.

I finally found someone had worked on the wiring, and basically miswired the front axle; it had been running on rear axle brakes only. I drew up the schematic as I traced wires

Fixed that, repacked bearings, new shoes on rear axle. It works great now.

 

[Ole Orange]

Never trust used trailer wiring

A few years back we bought a nice used 5th wheel. I was all set up for towing with the truck, since I had been trailering my tractor now and then for years. The 5th wheel did ok, but I noted the rear brakes seemed to heat a bit, and on steep downhill runs, even the truck brakes warmed.

I was repacking bearings and checking brakes, and found the rear brakes worn. As I investifgated, I finally hooked the 5th wheel cable to the truck. Low voltage. Chased it all over the place(had my wife working brakes and controller in truck). I even brought my neighbors truck over to see if it was my controller.

I finally found someone had worked on the wiring, and basically miswired the front axle; it had been running on rear axle brakes only. I drew up the schematic as I traced wires

Fixed that, repacked bearings, new shoes on rear axle. It works great now.

I checked the front the other night they work fine and release fine, as mentioned here by someone I think the backs are dragging or not releasing these brakes were all redone by the guy I bought it from, all are fairly new and match up. I think I am going to try backing the rears off and towing it a bit for what ever reason they seem to be braking more.
thanks to all for the help !!If I ever figure this out I will post it

 

[JCByrd24]

Make sure the actuator lever moves smoothly/freely on its pin. Mine were all seized when I bought it as the PO never used the brakes. For me it meant no brake power, or little, but I suppose there's a possibility that it could engage and the spring not have enough gumption to overcome the rust to pull it free.

 

[RobertN]

With full brakes applied, have you confirmed 12V at all 4 brakes? I had ok voltage on the rear, very weak voltage on the front.

I checked the front the other night they work fine and release fine, as mentioned here by someone I think the backs are dragging or not releasing these brakes were all redone by the guy I bought it from, all are fairly new and match up. I think I am going to try backing the rears off and towing it a bit for what ever reason they seem to be braking more.
thanks to all for the help !!If I ever figure this out I will post it

 

[oliver1555]

I would look at the grounds from the brakes. Many will shortcut and ground to the frame. If you want to insure good grounding, a dedicated ground wire should be run from the brakes to the tow vehicle through the plug. You can find a protected area to attach a wire from the frame to the ground wire to complete the circuit for lights. On my tow vehicle, I run my ground wire from the plug all the way to the battery. This will help to eliminate poor connections. This is the recommendation of Dexter axle.

Next, I would check the amperage draw for each brake. Just because a magnet is getting voltage does not mean it is getting the proper amperage.

Dexter axle is a great resource for troubleshooting brake problems. Use the search function on their site.

Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - Home

http://www.dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/Brake_Resources/Troubleshooting_Electric_Brakes.pdf

 

[Ole Orange]

I would look at the grounds from the brakes. Many will shortcut and ground to the frame. If you want to insure good grounding, a dedicated ground wire should be run from the brakes to the tow vehicle through the plug. You can find a protected area to attach a wire from the frame to the ground wire to complete the circuit for lights. On my tow vehicle, I run my ground wire from the plug all the way to the battery. This will help to eliminate poor connections. This is the recommendation of Dexter axle.


Next, I would check the amperage draw for each brake. Just because a magnet is getting voltage does not mean it is getting the proper amperage.

Dexter axle is a great resource for troubleshooting brake problems. Use the search function on their site.

Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - Home

http://www.dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/Brake_Resources/Troubleshooting_Electric_Brakes.pdf

Thanks I do have a ground to the plug I believe I will run one to the battery.
Thanks for the links I will go through these to see what I can find out.