Trailer Brake question????

BobG_in_VA · Oct 26, 2011

I've got a 24ft tandem axle Delta gooseneck trailer...I had a tractor on it today so I had the controller turned up a tad...once I got the tractor off, I noted when I moved the trailer (ground was damp) and touched the brakes, that the 2 left wheels skidded on the damp ground, but the right wheels did not...what are the chances that I've only now got brakes on one side..oh, when I got the trailer about 2 years ago, all wheels/brakes worked...any help would be appreciated. BobG in VA

dusty3030 · Oct 26, 2011

Could have a wire broke or a bad connection, I'd check her out. Could just be it was a little slicker on that side too and nothing to it.

rasimmo · Oct 26, 2011

It could be possible for one side to fail. Check the wiring that goes to the hubs. You should have voltage to it when the brake is applied. If you have power there, they may just need adjusting. You can jack up one side and spin the tire by hand. Then have someone apply the brake and see if the wheel stops with no load on it. There should be a small slot in the backing blate for adjustments. Itmay have a rubber plug in it. They make a tool for adjusting them, but a flat screwdriver works fine for me.The shoes wear over time and do not contact the drum enough. The adjustment just pushes them closer to the drum without anything applied to them. I hope this helps.

Diamondpilot · Oct 26, 2011

Very good chance if a wire is broke. You need to trace the wires and get out a volt meter to find out.

Chris

Bird · Oct 27, 2011

Diamondpilot said:
Very good chance if a wire is broke. You need to trace the wires and get out a volt meter to find out.

Chris

Or shorted. I saw that once on my brother's older fifth-wheel travel trailer. They had run the wire through the hollow axle tube and over time it had actually rubbed the insulation off in one spot.

BobG_in_VA · Oct 27, 2011

Thanks for the input...I'll get under it (once it stops raining here) and check it out...here's a pic from yesterday as to why I was out with the trailer..my brother in the baseball cap and my neighbor in the sunglasses were there to help put up the gate...thanks again.. BobG in VA

Bird · Oct 27, 2011

Sure is some pretty country.

deepNdirt · Oct 27, 2011

before I would go back sliding around underneath the trailer looking for broken wires, get the wheels off the ground either one side at a time lock the brakes or have someone apply them while you try turning the wheels, or either spin the wheel and have someone apply the brakes, should tell you if the brakes are working,

if one side is grabbing tighter than the other side it could be possible that the looser of the to might need adjusting to equal the other side, I'm not sure if electric brake systems have self adjusters or not,or use tension from adjustment at the brake actuator, another thing might be happening is if the wiring is run down the one side and jumped across to the other side the brakes might has a stronger current in the first set in parallel series, just a thought,