I pull a 2-horse trailer and have a Jordan controller. Lately I have noticed my trailer brakes hanging up. I only notice it when I come to a stop. Normally I ease to a stop and, just before complete stop, ease off the brake to make the stop as smooth as possible. But the brakes are hanging and stopping is a bit more abrupt. Even on a slight grade, I can take my foot off the brake and the rig won't roll. Not sure how long they are hanging when I take off again...I cannot feel them release. (I figure they are releasing, though, because I am not having a heat build-up problem.) Any ideas, guys? How does one go about trouble-shooting this?

 

Make sure the brakes are adjusted correctly and the controller as well.
I had similar problem with brakes hanging on too long, no matter how I adjusted the controller or brakes. I would apply the brakes and they would come on, and as I slowed to a stop they got stronger and stronger and really slammed the truck to a stop. THen when you let off, they would continue to brake for a few extra seconds, then let go. That would bounce the truck. Real annoying. Ended up getting new controller fixed all the problems.

 

I had the same problem with my Jordan the first few months I had it. It was very frustrating because it generally happened only when fairly cold.
I finally resolved it by re-aligning the cable very carefully and making sure it wasn't binding anywhere. It's been great since. Incidently, the interior of the control is made of pretty light materials that seem they could be easily damaged with excessive force of any kind.
If you can see the indicator lamp on the box, you can tell by the color if brakes are released: green lamp, good to go.

Dan

 

I had the same problem with my Jordan.

It was a defective unit and definately not the cable. If you find that your problem is not cable adjustment or cable binding you might as well throw it away and move on.

After talking to Jordan I installed a Brakesmart and am very glad I did.

 

If it isn't the brake controller, it could be the trailer brakes.

Lighter electric drums don't self-adjust, and when they get worn to the point that the magnet and arm travel too far before the shoes hit the drum, the arm will hang up.

With the wheel jacked up and safely supported, turn the tire and wheel in normal forward direction while adjusting the star wheel out, until the tire and wheel won't turn by hand. That will sort of center the shoes.

Then back off the star wheel until the tire/wheel becomes free, then back off the star wheel about 3/4 of a rotation more (about 5 good bites with the adjuster). You will still hear some drag when the brakes are properly adjusted, which is normal- the magnets skiffing along the armature surface...

 

Wow, thanks for all the help. This gives me some good things to look for. I really like my Jordan. I've had it for 4 years on two rigs now, and this is the first problem it has given me. Hopefully it is one of the easier fixes.