Are All Trailer Wheels Supposed to Lock when Trailer Breakaway Pin is Pulled
Question:
I pull pin and one tire locks a slides other 3 tires roll. Are all 4 tires suppose to lock and slide when pin is pulled
asked by: Bruce P
Expert Reply:
As long as all 4 tires have brakes installed, all 4 tires are supposed to lock when the pin is pulled. If only one axle has brakes, the 2 of the 4 tires should lock. There are a couple of possible problems your trailer may be experiencing.
One possible option is that there is not enough voltage reaching the brakes that aren't locking up when the pin is pulled. You will want to check the wires and connections for the brakes on those tires. If there is a pinched or torn wire, or if a connection is loose or has corrosion, you will want to replace the wire. For new wire, you can use something like # 10-1-1.
Another possibility is that there is an issue with the trailer brake grounds. A loose or damaged ground can cause many different problems. All of the trailer brake grounds should be wired back to the main trailer ground. Any damaged grounds and grounds with corrosion need to be replaced.
The trailer brakes may also need to be adjusted. If the brakes are not properly adjusted then there may not be enough force being applied by the brake to lock up the wheel. I have attached a video that will give you an idea of how to adjust the trailer brakes. The brake adjustment begins around the 3:00 mark in the video.
If one of these possibilities doesn't provide a solution for you, please feel free to let me know and I will be happy to provide further troubleshooting for you.
Products Referenced in This Question
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit w/ Built-In Charger - Side Load - 7" Wire
- Trailer Breakaway Kit
- Kit with Charger
- Side Load
- Single-axle
- Tandem-axle
- LED Tester
- Hopkins
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: Breakaway Kit Installation for Single and Dual Brake Axle Trailers
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Breakaway Kit with Built-In Battery Charger - Top Load
- Article: Testing Trailer Brake Magnets for Proper Function
- Video: Review of Bright Way Trailer Breakaway Kit - Kit with Charger - 3802311
- Q&A: Can Dexter Breakaway Kit for Electric Over Hydraulic Actuators be Used with Regular Electric Brakes
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Q&A: Trailer Breakaway System Not Locking Trailer Brakes when Pin is Pulled
- Video: Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly Installation 23-105
- Shop: Replacement Magnet Kit for 10" Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies - 3,500 lbs
- Shop: Replacement Magnet Kit for 12" Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies - 5,200 lbs to 7,000 lbs
- Q&A: What Gauge Wire Should be Used to Wire Trailer Brakes
- Q&A: Replacement Breakaway Kit For a Defender 2 System on a 2021 Big Tex 60EC Trailer
- Shop: Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit with Built-In Battery Charger - Top Load
- Shop: Hook Probe Circuit Tester
- Shop: Bright Way Push-to-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit with 2-Amp Charger and 10 Ah Battery - Top Load
- Shop: Replacement Trailer Brake Magnet for Dexter Electric Brake Assemblies
- Q&A: Recommendation on a Breakaway Kit to Fit a Tandem Axle Trailer
- Q&A: How Often Should Trailer Hubs Get Greased with EZ Lube Spindles
- Q&A: Testing a Tandem Axle Trailer With Only 1 Brake Assembly Working
- Search Results: 5606
- Search Results: replacement trailer brake magnet
- Search Results: trailer brake magnet
- Search Results: screen door latch
- Search Results: brake magnet
- Search Results: how to videos
- Search Results: trailer brake controller
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
on Trailer Breakaway Kit
