Towing and Hauling / RV Discuss towing and hauling here. Share your tips and tricks. RV and camping discussion welcome.

Trailer brakes locked up

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-01-2008, 03:34 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
C Minus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Trailer brakes locked up

I just bought a 2004 5th wheel toyahuler and was maneuvering arund last night in my culdesaq lining up to park when all of a sudden the brakes on the trailer locked up. This happened in reverse and was not the first time i had been in reverse w/ the trailer. I couldnt get them to free by pulling the plug but was able to get them to free when disconnecting the battery.

I parked her and un hooked but its been to nasty outside to go crawling around under the thing right now.

I dont have a whole ton of experience w/ trailers, towing, or trailer brakes but anyone have an idea of where I should start?

Ideally I would have been able to raise each wheel and see if it spun to see if one or all brakes were frozen. unfortunately I wasnt able to do this as I was in the middle of the culdesaq and it was dark and yes raining.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Old 03-01-2008, 04:09 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
Busboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: On the Farm, Manitoba
Posts: 3,901
Received 36 Likes on 32 Posts
Did you partially pull out the trailer disconnect pin when maneuvering? I know my cable sometimes catches and could easily pull the pin.
Old 03-01-2008, 04:33 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
Patriot_Auto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Atlanta, IL
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sounds to me like the break-away system has a short or you pulled the pin as said. Easy fix, use a test light and make sure the brake away controller isn't activating when the pin is in. If so they are very inexpensive to replace.
Old 03-01-2008, 06:11 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Valv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yep, as they said, break away connector.....
Old 03-03-2008, 12:24 PM
  #5  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
C Minus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Guys yes & thanks. Went out to take a look and sure enough the break away connector was partially out.
Old 03-03-2008, 02:40 PM
  #6  
Just a plain ole guy
 
1-2-3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Carlos, Texas
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
I accidentaly pulled mine while turning into a gas station. Took a minute before I realized what had happened. It was funny after I figured it out. Had plenty of folks tell me I was #1. That will drain your battery in no time. I still can't imagine applying full voltage to 4 brakes at 70 mph. Especially if someons behind it.
Old 03-03-2008, 03:14 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
xyzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Check you brake controller....an activated breakaway can cook it....so I've read in the manual..
Old 03-03-2008, 06:01 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
GEJim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ya, the same thing happened to me up in Maine. I always pulled with the brake away cable draped over the hitch pin lever. I had to make a hard right into the camp grounds and the cable got caught in the 7 pin harness. As soon as I turned to the left the brake away popped and locked up the brakes (as advertised). It took me several minutes to figured out what happened. Then I became so paranoid about it that I bought a caribbean snap lock and attached it to the 5th wheel hitch base plate. Now the cable is right in the center of the bed and can't got caught in anything.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fortunate1
12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
8
06-11-2013 08:54 PM
tjwilliams
Towing and Hauling / RV
3
10-04-2012 10:39 PM
hoghead
Towing and Hauling / RV
10
01-14-2007 06:45 PM
chaydaddy
HELP!
10
11-18-2006 12:49 PM
wildcargo
24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
9
11-29-2005 04:20 AM



Quick Reply: Trailer brakes locked up



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:50 PM.