Troubleshooting Electric Brakes Grabbing on 2017 Aluma Cargo Trailer

Updated 10/09/2017 | Published 10/07/2017

Question:

1 Purchased new last year 2017 Aluma model AE714TA CARGO TRAILER W/ ELECTIC BRAKES 2 Pulled the the trailer from dealers lot to my garage - a distance of about 60 miles where it is stored. 3 Used it once shortly after purchase and towed it abut 20 miles 4 recently trailer was used by a friend to move move some household items and said trailer brakes were grabbing. 5 Towed it my self and noticed that brakes would garb/lock up some of the wheels near the end of the stop say when trailer was moving at 10-20 miles per hr. estimated. Trailer was empty. I did NOT at this point try to adjust the brake controller unit. 6 What some possible causes of the brakes grabbing/lock wheel near the end of the stop.

asked by: Mike B

Expert Reply:

With brakes grabbing or locking near the end of a stop, it sounds like there are two possibilities. The first possibility is that your brake controller is adjusted too high and is sending too strong a signal for your lightweight aluminum trailer. The second and more probable possibility is that the trailer brakes need to be adjusted. The drag on your brakes is probably too high and that will cause your brake shoes to wear out prematurely because they are always in contact with the drum with pressure. You want contact and a very light drag when adjusted properly. I've attached a video that will show this at the 11:47 mark. You most likely will need to loosen this drag instead of increasing it like in the video.

expert reply by: Jason S