Troubleshooting Squealing Trailer Brakes

Updated 08/14/2014 | Published 08/13/2014

Question:

Hi, I`ve just bought a 2008 Forest River Wildcat trailer and when I apply the brakes there is a sqeeling noise that appears when I`m about to the release the brakes. I`ve tried changing the braking force using the switch on my Dodge Ramm 2500 without succes. If I`m not mistaken I should have drum brakes on my RV but don`t really know how they work using electricity. I`ve tried to get a schematic of the electric barking system on the net , but only got the wiring diagram that don`t really help me in this case. Is there something I should lubricate since this RV has not been used since last other than bringing it to the dealer from the previous owner. Can you help? Yours truly

asked by: Richard

Expert Reply:

You could have drum brakes or disc brakes on your 2008 Forest River Wildcat trailer. Which if you have disc brakes it could be that you need to put the brake pad lube on the pads. I wish we carried this but we do not. Auto parts stores should have this.

For drum brakes typically squealing is caused by dust in the drums. The solution would be to remove the drum and clean the assemblies. Cheap brake linings can cause this problem as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C