Brakes hanging up??? 2011 X25

[bjames]

I juct go home from the lake and noticed that my trailer wheels seemed extremely hot. Currently the temp here is on 18C (approx 65F). When I kneel down to take a close look at the wheels, I can feel the heat comming off the wheels, not to mention there is a noticable smell, but not like rubber burning, just a hot scorching smell. I did confirm that the surge actuator at the hitch is working (moving in and out). How can I confirm if my brakes are hanging up???

Also I did see a leaver under the toung with a lable thjat says "before use, lift leaver to release brake" To be honest, this is the first time I saw this. I pussed up the leaver and heard a snap, as if the brakes were released:confused:.. The trailer manual makes no reference to this release.

I am hesitating taking the boat out tomorrow if I am have issues with my brakes.. any easy way to rouble shoot this?

[Thrall]

Not sure about the lever on the tongue. Is it like a parking brake for the surge brakes?
Surge brakes will hang up if you apply them going down hill and don't step on the gas after braking to extend the tongue back out and release the brakes.
Check it out. When you come to a stop, the traielr brakes will stay applied until you put a little tension between the truck and trailer.
If you can get it ot roll smoothly down a slight incline before stepping on the brakes, then it "hangs up" after stepping on the brakes, then releases and rolls again after stepping on hte gas, your brakes are operating fine.

[Desert eagle]

Had that same problem on my trailer when it was new, the thing that you pushed in is exactly what you needed to do. Sometimes the emergency cable gets pulled on and that puts just enough pressure on the brakes to slow down the trailer if it should come off the tow vehicle. You should check that button every time you hook up the trailer.

[Sullivan]

I once towed my boat an hour and noticed my diesel truck was only getting 12 MPG. I was ticked. I couldn't figure out why my 3000 lb. boat was pulling the MPG that far down. When I got home and I walked back to the boat and was pulling stuff out of the side of the boat. I felt the heat on my legs. The stupid trailer brakes were on the whole darn way. Pushed the lever and all is good. Now I check it evrery time I use the trailer.

Something I did just learn about the brake safety wire. Oh lets say the UPS guy comes to your house just as your disconnecting the trailer from your truck and you don't quite get everything disconnected like the saftey brake wire. He leaves you figure your done and get in the truck to go park it and bam. You pull the safety wire. The manual says your supposed to replace that wire assembly. I have not done this and all seems to work just fine. I plan on replacing it soon.

[georgea0731]

I'd recommend you jack it up and see if it will spin. If not, then visually inspect to see if the brake pads are rubbing the rotor. I'm having the same problem on 1 of 4 brakes. The caliber will not release. I bought a screw device, auto store, $10. You use it to screw the piston back in. I did it and all was well until I drove to the ramp, 6 miles. It did it again. This one caliber is not releasing.
The dealer said he could clean it or replace it depending on the cost comparsion. I'm going to go ahead and replace it. Its not worth the worry.
I had t drive it 60 miles today to the dealer. Before leaving, I took the wheel off and removed the stuck pads, which left me with no brakes on that wheel. I didn't want to get half way and have the stick and over heat causing more damage to rotors or bearings. It was stuck so bad, that I had to use a hammer to knock the caliber loose and rotate it off the rotor. I got there o.k. and it waits for a new caliber.
We assume the actuator is working and releasing since the other calibers, brakes and wheels seem o.k. Also make sure your reservior is full.
Good luck

[Jerseydave]

I'd recommend you jack it up and see if it will spin. If not, then visually inspect to see if the brake pads are rubbing the rotor. I'm having the same problem on 1 of 4 brakes. The caliber will not release. I bought a screw device, auto store, $10. You use it to screw the piston back in. I did it and all was well until I drove to the ramp, 6 miles. It did it again. This one caliber is not releasing.
The dealer said he could clean it or replace it depending on the cost comparsion. I'm going to go ahead and replace it. Its not worth the worry.
I had t drive it 60 miles today to the dealer. Before leaving, I took the wheel off and removed the stuck pads, which left me with no brakes on that wheel. I didn't want to get half way and have the stick and over heat causing more damage to rotors or bearings. It was stuck so bad, that I had to use a hammer to knock the caliber loose and rotate it off the rotor. I got there o.k. and it waits for a new caliber.
We assume the actuator is working and releasing since the other calibers, brakes and wheels seem o.k. Also make sure your reservior is full.
Good luck

You need to replace those calipers with new Kodiak ones. I did this on my '03 and my '05 trailers. No problems since

[Jerseydave]

I juct go home from the lake and noticed that my trailer wheels seemed extremely hot. Currently the temp here is on 18C (approx 65F). When I kneel down to take a close look at the wheels, I can feel the heat comming off the wheels, not to mention there is a noticable smell, but not like rubber burning, just a hot scorching smell. I did confirm that the surge actuator at the hitch is working (moving in and out). How can I confirm if my brakes are hanging up???

Also I did see a leaver under the toung with a lable thjat says "before use, lift leaver to release brake" To be honest, this is the first time I saw this. I pussed up the leaver and heard a snap, as if the brakes were released:confused:.. The trailer manual makes no reference to this release.

I am hesitating taking the boat out tomorrow if I am have issues with my brakes.. any easy way to rouble shoot this?

Pull it a few miles, then jack up each wheel. If they all are dragging, you may have a problem with the actuator. If only one wheel is dragging, you have a caliper problem. Either way, you should be under warantee right? And don't dunk your trailer when the brakes are very hot, let them cool first or you may crack your rotors.

[bjames]

Well so far so good, went out to the lake (1 hour each way) checked the wheels for heat going out and comming back and no issues. All wheels felt cool to slightly warm, prabably from stopping. Also to be sure I am pushing in the tab to ensure the brakes are disengaged. I am wondering if the brakes hung up from construction in the area, there were a few areas when the trailer was bouncing around pretty good.:mad:

[bcboy]

Do you have a fold away tongue? Sometimes if you have it folded and when it is straightened the line can be a little pinched and will stop the flow of fluid and cause the brakes to not release....make sure the brake line is not restricted and hopefully it will fix the problem.

[bjames]

Do you have a fold away tongue? Sometimes if you have it folded and when it is straightened the line can be a little pinched and will stop the flow of fluid and cause the brakes to not release....make sure the brake line is not restricted and hopefully it will fix the problem.

Yes, I do have the swing away tougne.. i will have to look at that.. thanks.

[chriscpmtmp]

I'm having a similar issue. I don;t see a tab like you describe. If someone would post a picture, I'd appreciate it. Chris

Do you have a fold away tongue? Sometimes if you have it folded and when it is straightened the line can be a little pinched and will stop the flow of fluid and cause the brakes to not release....make sure the brake line is not restricted and hopefully it will fix the problem.