Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes on Tandem Axle 53 Foot Trailer

Updated 01/28/2019 | Published 01/27/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Right Hand - 6,000 lbs

(196)

$82.09

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(66)

$12.94

Question:

Front tires roll free but back are locked up 53 ft trailer

asked by: Douglas

Expert Reply:

Since your front tires roll free but your rear tires are locked up, it sounds like you have either a brake or bearing issue. There are a number of things that can be the issue when electric brake assemblies like # 23-106 you asked from are possibly the issue, so let's do some troubleshooting.

First let's check the power to the brake assembly that is locked up. Is there power on that brake magnet when you use the circuit tester like # PTW2993 on the ground and power supply of that brake magnet when you have someone hit the manual override on your brake controller? If so, you need to determine the source of power when you aren't hitting the manual override on the brake controller. This is likely a short where you are getting power from another feature. If there is no power to the assembly, then there is a mechanical issue with the assembly and you will need to take the hub off to inspect the assembly. On the back of the assembly at the bottom there will be a couple small slots to help you loosen the adjuster screw to make removing that hub easier. If that has been overly adjusted that may be the issue with the locked up axle.

Once you have tried these options and have at least a little information on what has or hasn't worked we can continue to troubleshoot.

expert reply by: Jason S