Trailer Brakes Get Stuck and Overheat

Updated 10/13/2014 | Published 10/12/2014

Question:

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer and Prodigy P2 that is 15 years old. Yesterday, I had to tow our enclosed trailer for the first time since December. It has electric brakes on all 4 wheels. It is a torsion axle setup, Dexter I believe. I noticed it was towing much harder than normal. I always use the manual lever for a few slow speed brake engagements at slow speed on the way to the highway. I noticed the brakes came on but then delayed releasing. I thought sitting might have caused the brakes to stick some but since it is electric brakes Im not sure sticking could be an issue. Even after several manual actuations and even holding the lever over slightly for several seconds, it kept feeling like a delayed brake release. I think I noticed a couple of times that a number was in the display vs. the .C display like the brakes were being turned on while going down the road at a steady speed. When I stopped I noticed that burning smell, all 4 trailer wheels were very warm to hot and even the sidewalls of the tires had a lot of extra heat. Does this sound like a controller issue or trailer brake issue?

asked by: Bruce

Expert Reply:

The P2 # 90885 has not been around for 15 years. You might have the original Prodigy # 90185. The sure way to know is the display. If the display is blue, its a P2. If the display is red, it is a Prodigy.

There are a lot of moving parts in electric drum brakes. They could get stuck if the return springs are bound up or corroded or if something needs some lubrication.

Nine times out of ten, it is a brake issue. But it could be electrical further back than the brake controller. The first thing you will want to do is make sure the vehicle and trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion on the pins and inside where the wires attach.

Inspect the wiring from the trailer side connector back to the magnets. Look for frayed or pinched wires. This would cause a short and some constant power draw. You can also visually inspect the magnets and if you can see the copper windings coming through the magnets will need to be replaced.

You can visually inspect the magnets and if you can see the copper windings coming through the magnets will need to be replaced. To further test the magnets you can follow the help article I have linked.

Since the brakes got so hot you will want to pull the drums off and inspect the insides of the drums where the magnets attach, called the armature surface. If the armature surface is discolored you will need to replace the drums.

While you have the hubs off you can check the brake assemblies to determine if the shoes need to be replaced or if any of the moving parts are bound up or look like they need to be replaced.