Brakes on trailer smoking??

[AngelC]

I have a question about my trailer. It is fairly new and well maintained. I was towing my boat today and I noticed a burning smell. At first I thought it was my SUV but when I got to the house and when I parked I had noticed the smoke and smelled some burning comeing from around the wheels on the trailer. I touched the rim and it was extremly hot. I know the trailer has surge brakes that are activated when I hook up my lights; so I don't understand what else it could be. It seemed to feel a little heavier almost if I were riding my brakes but then I started thinking that maybe the wheels on the trailer needed some air. Can anyone maybe help me figure out what could be going on. My trailer is an EZ Loader.

Thank you

 

[dave11]

Re: Brakes on trailer smoking??

Your brakes are dragging. They must be sticking a little as they age.

 

[dlngr]

Re: Brakes on trailer smoking??

All that heat will fry the wheel bearings and hubs,not to mention the brakes shoes and parts themselves.This has to be repaired NOW. I don't know how far or how fast you've towed it,but chances are you have some serious damage already. Expensive?- I don't know. Dangerous-YES.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Brakes on trailer smoking??

A point of clarification: Your surge brakes are not activated when you hook up the lights. Surge brakes are hydraulic and work using the reaction between the tow vehicle and a moveable coupler acting on a master cylinder. Electric brakes require a brake controller in the vehicle. As was pointed out, if the brakes were indeed dragging, you need to have the bearings inspected and replaced as the seal may have melted and you lost all the grease and therefore toasted the bearings as well.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Brakes on trailer smoking??

Needs immediate attention. Binding brakes and / or bearing grease getting in there.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Brakes on trailer smoking??

it could be brakes dragging or bad bearings, time to trouble shoot the situation. when towing the radio, etc, need to turned down, so that you can hear the vehicle sounds, dragging brakes and bad bearing will tell you when you have trouble.

 

[AngelC]

Re: Brakes on trailer smoking??

Hey fellows,

I pulled off the wheels and checked out the brakes and found that they look excellent all but one. I found a little grease or maybe oil. I think it might be from the bearing so when I take it in for it's service soon I will have it looked at by the dealer.

Thanks again for all the input