Hot Rotors On Trailer With Surge Brake Coupler

Updated 06/27/2017 | Published 06/26/2017

Question:

I have a tandem axle trailer to haul a 3,300 lbs Chaparral. The rear axle has disc brakes. I towed the boat back from the lake 30 miles and the hubs with the disc brakes were 147 degrees and the front axle no brakes was 100 degrees. The ambient temperature was 80 degrees. Most of the driving was not on a highway. Question - Is that the right temperature for the hubs with the disc brakes?

asked by: Will H

Expert Reply:

Disc brakes are constantly dragging on the rotor although with minimal drag when you aren't hitting the brakes or in this case applying pressure to the coupler to engage the pad pressure. They will run hotter than the non-braking hubs for sure. The temp at 147 degrees is not bad at all. When your reading gets to the 300 degree or more mark is when I'd be looking at a caliper issue as you may have a caliper that is stuck and engaged while driving.

expert reply by: Jason S