brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

[brianis]

So i have a 2000 jeep grand cherokee 4 liter has the tow package but no trailer brakes shouldnt need them on my 63 15 ft fiber runabout never had a issue was coming down the mountain today buddy said whats that smell went to hit the non existant brakes when finally stopped rear brakes were smoking front were good so what can i do to ease the tension on the brakes besides trailer brakes lower gear advice on towing would be grt

 

[JB]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

You need to find out (and tell us) what you really have. We need numbers.
What is the tow rating of your Jeep?
What is the weight of your trailer ready to tow?
What does CO require in the way of trailer brakes? I would think CO would require brakes on anything over about 1500#

You need at least trailer brakes, maybe a stronger, heavier tow vehicle.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

Automatic or manual? Were you riding the brakes down the mountain or letting the trans do some of the work?

Also since you said the rears were smoking - I'm assuming drums. You could have had a problem with either the proportioning valve or the auto adjusters on the drums.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

You need to find out (and tell us) what you really have. We need numbers.
What is the tow rating of your Jeep?
What is the weight of your trailer ready to tow?
What does CO require in the way of trailer brakes? I would think CO would require brakes on anything over about 1500#

You need at least trailer brakes, maybe a stronger, heavier tow vehicle.

Anything over 3000# gross weight

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

You should not be riding the brakes coming down a mountain.
Brakes are designed for about 30 seconds of use every couple of minutes MAX!
Shift into a lower gear and let the engine slow you down.
If second or third gear will not keep the engine under red line, go to first gear.
If that means first gear and 15 miles an hour, so be it!
If you ride the brakes, they will not be there for you when (Not If) you need them!

 

[brianis]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

Thanks guys this boat and trailer are no more than 1000 lbs and my jp is rated for more than that and I was riding the brake ill use my trans to slow me down it is a automatic first time ive ever actually pulled a trailer in the canyon

 

[oldjeep]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

Thanks guys this boat and trailer are no more than 1000 lbs and my jp is rated for more than that and I was riding the brake ill use my trans to slow me down it is a automatic first time ive ever actually pulled a trailer in the canyon

If you were riding the brakes down a mountain you may as well replace all the pads and check the rotors for warping and glazing.

 

[ewscroggins]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

If your Jeep has an Overdrive on/off option, turn it off. This will tell the transmission that it is pulling a load and the computer will adjust as needed. For instance, my F-250 has the OD on/off on the end of the column shifter. If I remember correctly, jeeps are a center shift automatic? If there is and OD option, its most likely just beneath the shift lock button on the shifter.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

when going down an incline shift trans to lower gear, (Trans braking) stay off the brakes.

 

[Lou C]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

If your front brakes were OK and the rears were smoking you may have a problem with the vehicle brakes such as stuck calipers. There were issues with the front calipers on those era Jeeps but I have not heard of the rears sticking. Check to make sure that the brakes release and do not drag. Jeep usually specifies that trailer brakes are needed at over 2000 lbs but that boat likely did not weigh that much.

 

[BonairII]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

You should not be riding the brakes coming down a mountain.
Brakes are designed for about 30 seconds of use every couple of minutes MAX!

30 seconds is quite a long time IMO. Most brakes would likely overheat if ridden for 30 seconds(especially in warm weather).

The OP should use his transmission to slow his vehicle. Manual or automatic....he should downshift into a lower gear. The brakes should be applied in somewhat short bursts. This will allow them to cool somewhat in between being depressed.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: brakes got smoking hot coming down mountain

Re: brakes got smoking hot coming down mountain

30 seconds is quite a long time IMO. Most brakes would likely overheat if ridden for 30 seconds...

Brakes are designed for about 30 seconds of use .... MAX!

No argument there!
Brakes are meant to stop you, not to maintain your speed.
If you aren't stopped in 30 seconds you are overloaded or going way too fast!

 

[Shark_bait99]

Re: brakes got smokinv hot coming down mountain

when going down an incline shift trans to lower gear, (Trans braking) stay off the brakes.

I know the op does not have surge brakes, but if you do, shifting down will cause you to essentially ride the trailer brakes all the way down the hill and overheat them as well. I use firm pressure on the brakes, followed by some coasting to allow for some cooling.