PRD1
09-23-2008, 09:25 AM
I don't know how often people look at trailer brakes but a recent experience with a friends trailer shows the need for periodic inspection.
We were headed to Canada and at the first stop I checked the bearing housing (as I always do) and noticed it was VERY hot. Even some smoke/steam coming from the wheel if you looked hard enough. We jacked it up and you could hardly turn the wheel. We then pulled the wheel and the wheel cylinder was stuck out causing the brake to be on. I backed off the manual adjustment on the brake and the wheel turned normally. Checking again 20 miles up the road the hub was normal. But a hundred miles further and the wheel was way hot again. We ended up pulling the brake shoes off the wheel and finished the trip OK.
When you think about the frequent soaking the brakes take and sitting over winter it's easy to see how the wheel cylinders rust and stick.
Just something to think about.
We were headed to Canada and at the first stop I checked the bearing housing (as I always do) and noticed it was VERY hot. Even some smoke/steam coming from the wheel if you looked hard enough. We jacked it up and you could hardly turn the wheel. We then pulled the wheel and the wheel cylinder was stuck out causing the brake to be on. I backed off the manual adjustment on the brake and the wheel turned normally. Checking again 20 miles up the road the hub was normal. But a hundred miles further and the wheel was way hot again. We ended up pulling the brake shoes off the wheel and finished the trip OK.
When you think about the frequent soaking the brakes take and sitting over winter it's easy to see how the wheel cylinders rust and stick.
Just something to think about.