Troubleshooting One Brake Assembly Locking Up On Trailer When Other Three Work Fine

Products Featured in This Question

12 Gauge 2 Conductor Jacketed (Brake) Wire Per Foot

(495)

$3.02

etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 5.2K to 7K

(2730)

$199.97

Digital Multimeter with 42" Long Test Leads - LED Display

(2)

$21.55

Question:

One break locked up on a trip, so I cut the wires. It released, and all is good on three breaks. However Ive removed the drum and can find no reason for the lock up. No loose parts, no frayed, or bare wires. What should I look for. 12 electric trailer breaks

asked by: Jack S

Expert Reply:

For the trailer brake on one of side of your tandem axle trailer to lock up, the malfunction is in the brake assembly or the wires leading to it. I recommend checking the wires for power, to make sure you are getting correct voltage and amperage that would not lock that one assembly up. I recommend using a meter like the Powerbuilt Digital Multimeter # PT89ZR.

I'd then check the magnet itself. I've attached an article to assist. If everything there checks out, I'd check the bearings in your hub to make sure they are good. If that isn't the issue, I'd replace the wires for good measure with # 12-2-1 and assume that for some reason the voltage spiked and locked it up.

If you want to change out the assembly, I recommend changing both of them on the same axle. For this I recommend the Electric Trailer Brake Kit - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 5.2K to 7K # AKEBRK-7-SA. These brake assemblies require adjusting at initial install but will self-adjust after that.

expert reply by: Jason S