Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Assemblies Where Only Closest Wheel Locks Up

Question

Question:

I am at a loss i hook up to the trailer and only the closest wheel locks up and i just ran new 10 gauge wire all the way around I am getting around 2.9-3.0 ohms on all 4 brakes but if you connect a battery to the brakes 1 at a time 3 of the 4 brakes lock up and the 4th is dragging.

asked by: Kevin L

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Have you checked the adjustment of the brake assemblies. They need to be properly adjusted in order for them to apply properly. Basically you want to tighten them to the point there is a light drag as you turn the wheel by hand.

On electric drum brakes there is a star wheel at the bottoms of the assemblies that you can turn using a flat head screw driver or brake adjusting tool # W80630. Turning the wheel one way will bring the shoes closer in and turning it the other way pushes the shoes out more.

You will adjust the brakes using that wheel until there is a slight but constant drag of the shoe pads on the drum. I have included a link to a video and at about the 4:39 mark our installer begins adjusting the brakes.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

Answer 1

We have an entire help article dedicated to testing trailer brake magnets that I attached for you to check out. You can test for resistance like you described. There is a specified range of Ohms that should be present depending on brake assembly…

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Answer 2

Easiest way to fool a brake controller into thinking a trailer is connected is going to be by installing a brake magnet on the circuit as that's the "draw" it's looking for. For that you could use the part #AKBRKR-M12 and you'd…

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Answer 3

If you are testing with the trailer connected to the vehicle (the first part of the FAQ, linked for reference) then the max amps at 12-13 volts for 4 brakes TOTAL should be 15-16.3 amps on 10 inch assemblies. This first section explains the process…

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Answer 4

You said you checked the brake magnets. When inspecting them did you notice if the windings inside the magnets are showing? If so this is most likely the reason that the short is showing up on the controller when the vehicle is moving. This would…

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Answer 5

If the 2" long x 3-1/8" wide x 1" tall dimensions of the Replacement Magnet Kit for 12" Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies #AKBRKR-M12 matches what you have on your 12" x 2" trailer brakes then this will work great for…

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Answer 6

What type of brake controller do you have? Is it a proportional or time delayed? Also, are you using the brake pedal or the manual override? If you have a proportional brake controller and you are using the manual override then you should see a full…

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Answer 7

There should only be power entering the brake magnets, not leaving them through the ground wire. I would first start off by regrounding each brake magnets to a new bare metal surface separately of one another and as close to the brake assembly as…

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Answer 8

You likely can use any replacement switch since all they do is complete a circuit when the pin is pulled out. One wire on the switch should be connected to the positive battery terminal on the trailer. The other will tee into the wiring leading from…

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Answer 9

The 10" x 1-1/2" braking assemblies part #K23-472-473-00 will use the same four bolt brake mounting flange as the 10" x 1-3/4" braking assemblies you have but the hub/drum that goes with these uses a LM67048 inner bearing and…

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Answer 10

It's a smart idea to go ahead and replace your brakes and yes, the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 10" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 3,500 lbs #23-26-27 will absolutely fit your 2002 Fleetwood Prowler. The reason they will fit is…

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Answer 11

The tags and labels on axles tend to fall off and or fade over time, so now worries there. With the brake measuring 10 x 2 1/4, you most likely do have a 3,500 pound axle as it is the most common. Especially with the mounting bolts being evenly…

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Answer 12

I can tell you exactly how to determine which brake assemblies will work for your travel trailer, and though it isn't quite as simple as taking the brakes off, it really isn't all that difficult with a bit of added information. To determine…

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Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Assemblies Where Only Closest Wheel Locks Up

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