Troubleshooting Rear Brakes on a 2022 Montana High Country 5TH Wheel Locking Up

Published 11/15/2023

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 5,200 lbs to 7,000 lbs

(577)

$144.69

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

(3070)

$186.02

Question:

I have a 2022 Montana High Country fifth wheel with 12 inch brakes and all of a sudden I am having issues with the rear axle brakes locking up. Brakes worked flawlessly over summer and after going in for warranty work I am having issues with rear brakes. none of the warranty work had anything to do with brakes I have taken rear drums off to check for any broken parts and everything looks good. When I test the rear magnets Ohm readings individually I initially get a 3.5 ohm reading and then it counts down and settles at 3.0 ohms. I have purchased a DC clamp amp meter and when I pull emergency brake cable I got an initial reading of 14 amps and LF reads 3.12 amps, RF reads 3.08 amps, LR reads 2.91 amps and RR reads 2.83 amps. Could those slightly lower amp readings for rear brakes cause them to lock up easily. I have a 14 Ram 2500 diesel truck with built in brake controller and I did not change the setting from heavy electric with 7 gain which I have used on my current fifth wheel and my previous fifth wheel. I even tried turning down the gain to 4 and rears are locking up. I can get 3 stops out of brakes when cold and then the rears start locking up. Is there a test I can do on my truck? But again it appears as though just the rear brakes are locking up. I had to cut rear brake wire to get home without rear brakes locking up and front axle brakes did not lock up on way home. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

asked by: Kris B

Expert Reply:

All of the electrical readings you are getting on your electric brakes sound normal and the lower amperage readings are likely due to additional resistance due to the longer wiring used on the rear axle. It sounds like there is either an issue with both the rear brake assemblies or they have managed to get adjusted to tight. I have linked an article below which covers how to adjust and check the tightness for your electric brakes.

Do note the article covers the adjustment procedure for Standard Brakes # AKEBRK-6 If your trailer came with Self-Adjusting Brakes # AKEBRK-7-SA there is going to be a tension device which prevents you from backing off the adjustment unless you move the device and allow it to spin back.

expert reply by: Bud M