Trailer Brakes Smoking on One Side of Horse Trailer

Published 08/31/2018

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Question:

Juts got back home last night from rodeo. The last 20 miles I thought i saw smoke from passenger side rear axle. I stopped and smelled what seems to be brake as bearings smell a little different. Had my wife drive it while i stood next to the trailer. I heard a definite scraping of what seems to be a brake pad. I haven’t taken assembly apart yet and we did make it home. Outside of pads is there anything else you’d worry about ?

asked by: Tom

Expert Reply:

What type of brakes do you have, drum/disc, electric/hydraulic? The best course of action for you is going to entail removing the drum/caliper and taking a look at the brake shoes/pads. If they were smoking then chances are the shoes/pads need to be replaced at which point replacing the entire braking assembly would be easier if you have drum brakes. The issue you described is more than likely a failed magnet, return spring, or wiring issue.

I would first check to see if there is any power on the brake output wire just before it leads into the assembly without the brakes applied. This will need to be done with a circuit tester while the trailer is connected and the tow vehicle is running. If you do have power then you know it's a wiring issue and it can be either repaired or replaced with part # 10-1-1.

If the wiring seems fine then it may be best to just replace the entire braking assembly (drum only). In order to offer a recommendation for replacement I would need to know what brake mounting flange you have and the size of your brakes (use inside of drum). If the pads were worn down then chances are they might have damaged the drum which means I recommend replacing this as well. In order to offer a recommendation for replacement drums I would need to know your bearing/seal numbers and the bolt pattern of your wheels.

expert reply by: Conner L