Trailer Brakes Locking Up- Help

Mahindra One · Dec 29, 2012

I have an 18' bumper pull Big Tex with brakes on rear axle. I have been having a vibration problem (separate from this post) and took the trailer to tire store this morning to have wheels balanced. Twice on short drive there the brakes locked up and I didn't even have my foot on the brake either time. These being electric brakes (the emergency stop device wasn't hooked up) can something as simple as a dirty connector cause such a condition? I really don't want to start my 130 mile journey to the ranch when having this problem, yet I don't want to disconnect the lights for travel either. Any ideas?

sixdogs · Dec 29, 2012

Mine did the same and two wires in the connector were touching. Have to have power to lock up so it has to be at the connection with the truck. That's the way mine was but others will know far more than me.

Diamondpilot · Dec 29, 2012

Yep, sounds like a short. Most likely in the female plug on the truck or the male end on the trailer

Chris

orezok · Dec 29, 2012

You may have bad grease seals. If the brake linings get grease on them, contrary to what seems logical, they will lock up typically at low speeds.

Pull the drums and check.

Dana Warner · Dec 29, 2012

I would go with the short in the harness or a gain control adjustment.

mikehaugen · Dec 29, 2012

I would agree with what others have said about the short. Make you you check both sides of each part- if there is nothing in the female socket on the truck or male plug on the trailer, take each apart and check the wires on the back. Also, though unlikely, check your brake pedal switch. Most brake controllers need a signal from brake switch to actuate at all, and if somehow it is getting that signal when it shouldn't be- it would apply the brakes.