Burning up brakes

[vagov]

Took the trailer out for its first run of the season. Everything went fine until about half hour from home Service trailer brakes light comes on my truck, and I start smelling brake burning, limped it home. And noticed that the plunger on the brake away switch pulled out, and actually melted. It got so hot, but the camper tires never did lock up as they supposed to. Hub was extremely hot to the touch, and after disconnecting from truck I still had brake lights illuminated on the trailer. So pulled the negative battery thermal to turn off, my guess is back brake must be sticking Guess I’m pulling tires sometime this week. For further inspection

 

[tfischer]

Wow, I just saw another post on FB with this exact same scenario (I don't think it was you as it was completely different pics).

 

[Sjm9911]

Not good. Hope their is is no damage.

 

[Mytime]

Yikes! Hope it winds up being an easy fix.

 

[neighbormike]

Seems odd that the brake lights were on - I would inspect your 7-pin connector closely - that may have gotten damaged too - somewhere there’s 12v getting to the turn signal wires….

 

[vagov]

Truck totally disconnected. Brake lights on trailer. Still on, pulled negative post off battery. Brake lights go out, plug into Shore Power from house. Brake lights back on?

 

[bupkis]

brake light wire is making contact with charge line wire!

 

[vagov]

Rabird I think you may be right, I cut out the old breakaway. Since it melted and needs replaced , when I traced the wires into the electric junction box. The orange wire with black stripe. Tied into red positive. The light blue wire tied into black negative and a dark blue wire. I noticed a nick in both the orange and dark blue wires iin junction box. I bet they were touching by chance . I taped them up for now hooked the negative post back to battery and brake lights on back of camper remained off. I’m going to pick up a new breakaway this week hopefully. And go from there

 

[neighbormike]

brake light wire is making contact with charge line wire!

I agree, but the “brake light wire” is the left & right turn signal wires… either way, the 12v charge wire is making contact.

 

[vagov]

I think the dark blue. Wire that has been nicked. may be the charge wire. As I believe the turns are the yellow and brown

 

[ShanegoDave]

Since you had a lot of brake dust. I also would still pull the tires and take a look at the brakes to make sure nothing is hanging up . If they didn’t lock up as supposed to you may need some adjustment there

 

[Oldspurs]

I would, as suggested, pull all tires checking brakes for contact melting. As heat is a killer for electric braking systems. If brakes applied themselves due to a short, add the heat, those brakes are toast. Worth checking. I experienced something similar with my 40' twin tandem tractor trailer. Smoked the brakes on rear axle, once cooled they were fused solid. Replaced and rewired complete setup. Good luck.

 

[vagov]

Just got home so no time tonight but plan on pulling tires and drum’s tomorrow as I leaving work alittle early . But I did crawl under the camper. For a quick look, as what I could itially see, the front axle looks un damaged , the rear not so much, mostly the rear passenger side. the two green wires that come trough the back of the mounting plate are burnt down to copper strainds, but the white wires running through the axle, and the wires connecting the front axle breaks along the frame look good so far. Im sure I’m in for surprises tomorrow as more damage most likely occur . Just hoping the spindle or axle itself didn’t get fried Wish me luck

 

[ShanegoDave]

Good luck, depending on how much damage you may find, you may want to try calling your insurance company it may be covered?

 

[Mytime]

Good luck, depending on how much damage you may find, you may want to try calling your insurance company it may be covered?

Depending on the cost and the deductible .

 

[vagov]

Ok pull tires and drums ….the verdict, the front axle. Looks good. No damage. The rear axle , especially the rear passenger tire. Took the blunt of it. Pretty much fried the magnet, all the wiring, and brake pads. Crumbled Apart , some burn on inside of drum also. , but I tapped most of it off with a light hammer, may try cleaning it up more. Or just replace. Not sure The left side rear burned up bottom of magnet , and some wiring connected. To front axle brakes. Also. It’s bad , but honestly I expected worse, Talked to my insurance company. They said I would have to submit a claim in order to determine if it’s covered. Good news is my deduction. On comprehension. Is only 250. So not terrible

 

[vagov]

Right rear.

 

[vagov]

Left rear

 

[Sjm9911]

You got lucky it wasn't worse. Not great on doing the repairs or spending the money to fix it. But that could have been , way, way , worse.

 

[jeepster04]

Curious, you were able to pull the trailer with the brakes applied and didn't notice?