View Full Version : Backing Up - One wheel locks up
NoSubstitute
07-08-2010, 01:39 PM
I've done some searching and haven't found anyone who has the problem I seem to be experiencing. I have a 2003 MC trailer, and when I am backing it up, only one of the wheels turns free, and the other locks up and "skips" as I back up. This happens on level ground with the boat on or off the trailer. I have a 7 to 5 plug adapter, and the back up lights on the trailer come on correctly. I think both brakes work fine when I'm towing, as I haven't experienced any swaying when braking. Any ideas on what to look at?
flipper
07-08-2010, 01:46 PM
I'd guess that you only have one working brake, and your solenoid is bad, or the wire to it is bad. Unplug the trailer and try backing up, see if it does the same thing
rspiecha
07-08-2010, 02:03 PM
sounds like your solenoid is bad, can you hear a clunk or click from it when you connect the trailer plug with the truck in reverse????
shaverm
07-08-2010, 04:43 PM
I have a tandem axis trailer but find that this happens to me if the trailer tongue is not level. Get your towing vehicle and boat on a level surface and stick a level on the tongue. If your hitch is lower than the tongue, it can activate your brakes... just a thought... when it happened to me I was using my vehicle and normally use my wifes..
flipper
07-08-2010, 04:45 PM
Either way, just one brake shouldn't lock up. It should be all or nothing
NoSubstitute
07-08-2010, 09:24 PM
sounds like your solenoid is bad, can you hear a clunk or click from it when you connect the trailer plug with the truck in reverse????
I'm heading to the lake this weekend (the trailer's in the barn up there) and will give your suggestions a try. Are you saying to plug the connection together while the truck is running and already in reverse? Guess I'll need a helper...
NoSubstitute
07-10-2010, 08:08 PM
So I connected the trailer without connecting the connector, and the tires/brakes behaved the same way. Traced the blue wire to the solenoid and found a loose wire in a spliced connection. Replaced the connector and now the one wheel releases when backing up. So Flipper was right, I'm guessing I only have one working brake. So any suggestions on that? How would I test the master cylinder? Would bleeding the caliper make a difference? I'm looking for more advice please...
I would start out bleeding the brakes starting at the furthest caliper working my way to nearest. I stick a small hose on the bleeder fitting and run it to a bottle filled up a quarter of the way with clean brake fluid. Then under the master cylinder you can use a screw driver and work the master cylinder until clean fluid comes out of each brake caliper. I had water in my master cylinder one time and did this until the fluid was flushed out of the lines. If you have disc brakes then you might want to check the pads to see if you need new ones. If you have drum brakes then you may need to adjust the shoes until you have a slight drag and very slight drag against the shoe and the drum. This should fix you up. The master cylinder should apply equal pressure to all wheels when applied. If you have a free wheel it will not be an issue where you need to replace the master cylinder.
Campbell
07-12-2010, 06:32 PM
Check ur 7 to 5 plug adapter!! Depending on how the trailer is wired an how your plug is wired may be your issue. Surge brakes do not need a brake controller per say. Depending on how your brake controler on your truck is wired it may be causing havoc on the older 5 plug. For example many trailers with a 5 square/or round plug are only wired for lights and will not operate brakes. If not wired properly somone could take a 7 plug and adapt it to the 5 plug and your 7 plug could cause the way the 5 plug is wired to automatically always lock up brakes.. IT MOST LIKELY is A WIRING PLUG/brake controller issue.\
Porter321
07-24-2010, 07:47 AM
Check ur 7 to 5 plug adapter!! Depending on how the trailer is wired an how your plug is wired may be your issue. Surge brakes do not need a brake controller per say. Depending on how your brake controler on your truck is wired it may be causing havoc on the older 5 plug. For example many trailers with a 5 square/or round plug are only wired for lights and will not operate brakes. If not wired properly somone could take a 7 plug and adapt it to the 5 plug and your 7 plug could cause the way the 5 plug is wired to automatically always lock up brakes.. IT MOST LIKELY is A WIRING PLUG/brake controller issue.\
Hmmm...fully agree with dude. :):):)