Brakes Locked On

[toomuchclub_1113]

Recently put boat in water and put trailer back in Driveway. When I attempted to move trailer again (no boat on it) the brakes were locked on for some reason. There is a setting at the hitch for towing or reverse only. Tried both but with no luck.

 

[BrianG]

Re: Brakes Locked On

I am not really familiar with the surge brakes on boat trailers.. Is it stuck on? or is it moving freely?

 

[BigBabyLou]

Re: Brakes Locked On

Let's assume you have surge brakes. Did you back the trailer up your driveway? Is it still hooked up to the car? If you answer Yes to both questions, that might be the reason why the brakes are still locked up. That's how surge brakes work.<br /><br />If you apply pressure on the trailer tongue, the master cylinder transfers this pressure to the hydraulic brake lines and that gives you the desired braking effect. Hence if the trailer is backed up a hill and hooked up to a car, the pressure in the brake lines will be present even when not parked.<br /><br />The reverse switch is usually just a valve which closes the brake line between the master cylinder and the brakes. If you built up pressure in the brake lines when backing up and closed the valve, the brakes will stay locked up due to the pressure contained in the system.<br /><br />This is one of the possible scenarios, it might or might not be your situation.<br /><br />Please give us more information on the way the trailer is parked and other details so that we can help better.<br /><br />Always here to help <br />Have a great day boating!<br />Lou

 

[toomuchclub_1113]

Re: Brakes Locked On

OK Here it goes. Trailered back from dropping boat in water(empty). Backed trailer in driveway where it sat for approx 2weeks without being hooked up to vehicle. Hooked trailer up to move it in back yard and noticed the wheels were skidding all the way there (after the fact of course). Still able to move freely in reverse but stuck moving forward. So I'll say yes this could have happened, trailer was backed in to driveway, unhooked a,d that reverse mechanism was activated. So how do I get it unstuck??<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Jeff (Rookie)

 

[BigBabyLou]

Re: Brakes Locked On

If you backed the trailer even slightly up a hill and activated the reverse switch (let's assume it closed the brake circuit and also locked the pressure in), the trailer has locked up brakes.<br /><br />To release the pressure, you will need to deactivate the reverse switch (is it a mechanical switch?) to let the pressure out of the brakes and back into master cylinder. But be CAREFUL! The trailer wheels have to be well blocked so that the trailer doesn't roll away (even though it might not move right now due to the locked up brakes).<br /><br />As a general rule of thumb, you should activate the reverse switch (either manual or electrical /wired off your backing-up lights/) only when there is no pressure on the trailer hitch. That means activate the switch on flat road or with your car pointing up the hill, not down the hill. And not after trying to push back, that can create hydraulic pressure in your brake system as well.<br /><br />What I usually do before backing my boat (8000 lbs) into my backyard (up the hill), I first pull forward to disengage brakes, let the whole rig slowly stop and let the trailer PULL ME BACK a couple feet to make sure there is no pressure built up in my brake system. Then I can simply activate the reverse switch knowing that I won't have any problems backing up.<br /><br />Just a note: if you're backing up a heavy load (like my boat), it is generally a good idea to prevent the surge mechanism from moving with a block of wood or something because when you're backing up thousands of pounds, a slight jerk to the whole rig can blow your reverse valve. Trust me, I've been there. <br /><br />Hope this helps.<br />Lou

 

[toomuchclub_1113]

Re: Brakes Locked On

Lou,<br /><br />Yes it is a mechanical switch....and I now have the trailer on flat ground. The switch has 2 positions, Reverse only and towing position. I have put it in towing position but still no luck. Should I have to break it free?<br /><br />You're helping a great deal here, I appreciate it.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[BigBabyLou]

Re: Brakes Locked On

If the brakes are still stuck when the switch is in the towing position, something is not quite right here.<br />Some suggestions:<br /><br />1) Check the brake actuator (the sliding part of the tongue). Does it look like it's not fully extended forward? Can you try to pull it? In the worst case, hook up your car and try to pull JUST A BIT with the trailer wheels blocked by stones/wooden blocks etc. If that moves the actuator, you might have a problem right there. The actuator is supposed to extend forwards freely. Grease/lube would sure help but try to find the primary cause for it sticking.<br /><br />2) If the actuator is fully extended, the other possibility is that the mechanical switch (valve) is not opening when put back in towing position. You can check that by carefully opening the bleeding screw on either brake caliper and watching the fluid pressure. If there seems to be a lot of pressure you're relieving (there might be some but not a lot), let it bleed until the pressure drops (bleed the brake fluid into a can or other clean container using a hose). Then return the brake fluid to the reservoir (on/inside the trailer tongue). If the brakes had a lot of pressure and relieving helped get the brakes unstuck, it would point to a faulty reverse valve. Although the valve rarely sticks in the closed position. This could also mean the brake lines are plugged.<br /><br />3) Another possibility (after checking #1 and #2) is that your brake calipers are sticking. Depends on age, maintenance intervals and other farctors. Replacing/rebuilding them is a job requiring medium skills and knowledge. It's doable with a repair manual.<br /><br />Did I miss something, guys?<br /><br />Jeff, let us know what you find so that we can help you fix it.<br /><br />Always here to help!<br />Lou<br /><br />P.S.: Oh, good question: do you have disc or drum brakes on your trailer?

 

[toomuchclub_1113]

Re: Brakes Locked On

Lou,<br /><br />Not real sure about disk or drum breaks, I will look at that when I get home. I think you probably hit the nail on the head when you said the brake actuator. We had a tough time getting it off the hitch so I'm thinking that's stuck. I will give this a look when I get home (at work right now).<br /><br />Thanks again, I'll let you know what I find out.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[toomuchclub_1113]

Re: Brakes Locked On

OK been a long time since I last posted about the trailer problems, I finally got a chance to investigate. It appears that only 1 wheel is locked (right side only). So any suggestions? Do I have to take the wheel off and try to work the breaks free? Drain fluid from that side? <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Jeff

 

[Greasie]

Re: Brakes Locked On

HI ! This is my first post anywhere.<br /> I worked as a RV mechanic for many years and have seen problems like this occur often. The brake fluid switch will not be the cause as the other wheels are turning free. Many times, grease will leak through the inner seals and swell the brake shoes / pads and cause them to stick. If your trailer has drum brakes, the self adjusters will activate while moving in reverse compounding the problem. The first thing to do is to reverse the brake adjusting wheel, thereby freeing up the brake drum (if the wheel is locked up, you won't be able to remove the assembly unless the brake is released). If this is the problem, you need to adjust the brakes only. If there is grease on the shoes, replace them. If you have Bearing Buddies there may be too much pressure pushing grease past the seals.<br /><br />One last thing -- DON'T DRAIN THE FLUID!!!<br /> Hope this helps.

 

[toomuchclub_1113]

Re: Brakes Locked On

Greasie,<br /><br />Thanks for the info.....reverse the brake adjusting wheel?? I'm sorry I'm a real rookie with this stuff....Where do I find it? Does the wheel need to come off first. I don't know if I mentioned it spins in reverse just fine. I believe it does have bearing buddies. Thanks,<br /><br />Jeff

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Brakes Locked On

Assuming that you have drum brakes, there is a tab that can be accessed from the lower back section of the backing plate. (You can easily do this without pulling the wheel, but ultimately the wheel will have to come off when you inspect the brake shoes.) <br />Using a srewdriver, gently pry out this tab from the back of the backing plate. This gives you access to the adjuster. <br />You should be able to see an adjusting or star wheel. Using a little bigger standard screwdriver and some pressure, put the screwdriver against the star/adjuster and lever the screwdriver up or down. (it may be stuck depending on age) You should hear a click once it moves as this is the spring that puts tension on it. If the adjuster stops turning by levering the screwdriver up, (or wrong way) then use lever down and after about 15 clicks, the wheel should be free to turn.

 

[toomuchclub_1113]

Re: Brakes Locked On

Thanks Mike, I'll givethis a try in the next couple days and let you know what I find.<br /><br />Jeff