Potential Causes for Overheating Trailer Brake Drums
Question:
If the disconnect brake battery is bad could that cause overheating all four hubs get hot
asked by: Lee C
Expert Reply:
Trailer breakaway batteries are usually rated for 5-amp-hours and are designed to keep your four brake assemblies engaged for 15-minutes in the event of an accidental disconnect.
The only way the breakaway battery could heat up your drums is if it kept the brakes engaged as you drove. In the same way, if there were a short in the vehicle or trailer wiring that somehow let your 12V power feed reach the brake circuit, which would also keep the brakes engaged. Either way you would probably feel the drag from the trailer brakes as you drove.
If it happened that all four of your brake magnets went bad at the same time (unlikely) then that input power could heat up the magnets and even if the trailer were still there would be some waste heat build-up in the drums from the energized magnets.
I would more expect your issue to be from a mechanical problem than from the breakaway battery. For instance, if you recently greased your bearings and accidentally over-tightened the hub castle nuts this could lead to heat in the drums. If there is insufficient grease in the hubs, if one of the bearings has become damaged or if the magnet is damaged and is dragging on the drum surface these too could cause heat build up.
I suggest you pull at least one of the hubs to check for any signs of mechanical damage, a short in the brake magnet wiring or any other issue that would allow continuous friction to generate the heat you're finding. You can refer to the linked article for help on testing the magnets themselves by using a voltmeter like # PT89ZR.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Digital Multimeter with 42" Long Test Leads - LED Display
- Electrical Tools
- Testers
- Multimeter
- Yellow
- Performance Tool
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Search Results: leaf spring
- Shop: 6-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 4,500-lb Trailer Axles - 26" Long
- Shop: 4-Leaf Double-Eye Spring for 5,000-lb Trailer Axles - 25-1/4" Long
- Shop: etrailer Rust-Resistant 4-Leaf Double Eye Spring for 5K Trailer Axles - 25-1/4" Long - Dacromet
- Q&A: Potential Causes for Excess Heat Build-Up in Hubs/Drum
- Shop: Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 4,400-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 10" Diameter - 6 on 5-1/2
- Shop: MORryde Rubber Equalizers for Tandem Axle Trailers - 33" Wheelbase - 8K
- Shop: MORryde Suspension Upgrade Kit for Tandem Axle Trailers - 2-1/4" Long Shackle Straps
- Shop: Lippert Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 10" - Left Hand - 4,400 lbs
- Q&A: How Do Self-Adjusting Brakes Adjust and Does it Work Going Forward or Reverse
- Q&A: Self-Adjusting Trailer Brakes For a Lippert 4,400LB Axle On 2017 Aspen Trail 2790BHS Travel Trailer
- Q&A: Difference Between Dexter 3500 lb and 4400 lb Brake Assemblies
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Search Results: tss~107~47
- Search Results: sumosprings
- Search Results: 5000 lbs axle
- Search Results: 26 leaf spring
- Q&A: Leaf Spring Recommendation for 4,400 lb Trailer Axle
- Q&A: Recommended Leaf Springs for 4,400 lb Axle Based on Axle Position and Hanger Locations
- Search Results: dexter 8 247
- Q&A: Will 25-1/4 Inch 5,000 lb Leaf Springs Work for Old Springs That Measure 26 Inches
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Search Results: 25 1 4 leaf spring
- Video: Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit Installation 23-26
- Article: How to Adjust Your Trailer Brakes | The Ultimate Guide
- Article: Testing Trailer Brake Magnets for Proper Function
- Video: Curt Weight Distribution - Sway Control Only - 17200 Review
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Article: Troubleshooting Brake Controller Installations
- Video: Kodiak Brake Pads Review and Installation