Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

[JSGOLD]

Not sure if this is just a coincidence or a tow problem.....We started using our 2004 Blazer for a tow vehicle for our 16' Starcraft boat this summer and the rear tires always get submerged for a short time either putting in or coming out. The rear calipers are now frozen and must be replaced. My first thought is that maybe the water is a problem but this is also an 8-9 year old vehicle too...so was just wondering if any of you folks have had similar issues. This is freshwater and been done maybe a dozen times or so. A local mechanic tells me the water should not have caused it but always a good idea to ask on here I have learned.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

First of all not sure what you mean by "froze" Do they not work? Are the brakes locked up? I have Drum brakes on my truck but have never had any problems with water. Many of our friends have calipers and no problems. Is it both sides that you are having problems with? I don't think that the loading and unloading is the problem. Sometimes stuff just quits working..

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

8 year old vehicle with rusty caliper pins is the likely issue. I'd make sure you are getting the straight story before replacing the entire caliper.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

I dropped it off to a good mechanic who does my brake work when I can't and both rear calipers were frozen "open"....We had noticed that the brake pedal was a lot more spongy than normal and was not safe. (Went to the floor once) He advised me that there was a lot of rust and that is what had me concerned. I will look at them when I pick the truck up later today....I would not think that the boat towing and so forth would hurt them as my old Silverado was used a LOT more over 2+ years and never had an issue...But I thought I would ask just in case. I remember after buying the truck 3 years ago the original brake rotors and pads were shot and in bad shape so maybe the truck was used in rough environment at some point...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

You actually back your truck in so far that your brake calipers are submerged? That would be pretty darn deep. I would be worrying about a lot of things getting damaged besides your brakes.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

Not sure if this is just a coincidence or a tow problem.....We started using our 2004 Blazer for a tow vehicle for our 16' Starcraft boat this summer and the rear tires always get submerged for a short time either putting in or coming out.

Define 'submerged'... If you are having to back in so far that the tire, or even the brake, is submerged, you are going to have far more issues. (goodbye rear diff!) You should never back in above the center of the tire, max.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

Define 'submerged'... If you are having to back in so far that the tire, or even the brake, is submerged, you are going to have far more issues. (goodbye rear diff!) You should never back in above the center of the tire, max.

I agree you shouldn't have to back in that far, but unless you submerge the diff breather you will not get water in the axle. If you do then you must be leaking gear oil already.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

I agree with the posts that submerging in fresh water a few times won't lock the brakes, and also that it is the incorrect way to launch/retrieve a boat. Road salt is more likely to have gotten to your brakes, or age.

Nonetheless, keep your vehicle wheels dry. I have had 2 16' starcrafts and never got the trailer axle wet, much less the vehicle.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

Nonetheless, keep your vehicle wheels dry. I have had 2 16' starcrafts and never got the trailer axle wet, much less the vehicle.

Depends on the ramp - there is one at my parents lake where the front wheels of my truck get wet.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

I agree you shouldn't have to back in that far, but unless you submerge the diff breather you will not get water in the axle. If you do then you must be leaking gear oil already.

the centerline of the axle is about the max safe point for most diffs, which allows for a small wave to come in. Diff breather tubes range from on top of the diff to feet of tubing, depending on vehicle.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

I am taking the boat out Saturday....Frankly I have not paid attention to exactly how covered the rear wheels get, maybe submerged was a poor choice of words. But our ramps here are such that you have to go back a ways with the type of boat I have and the trailer. I know the wheels get wet but will see exactly how much is in the water when I launch and retrieve. I know they are never totally submerged but will report back. I know my exhaust opening is slightly under water at times as I can hear it gurgle.....

 

[rbh]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

Calipers get wet when it rains, they get dirty and rusty everyday.
So submerging them is not the issue.
(Braking will be limited for a "SHORT TIME" till the pads and rotor dry up though)
If one calipers on it way out so are the rest over the next little while, its just the way this go.
Extend the rear difs breather hose to a higher point if its constently under water and change the fluid.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

I wish that we had a ramp that you can put your boat in the water without getting deep into the water. Towards the end of boating season and the lake is low I have to back into the water door deep. No way of getting around it. I have someone in the boat and unhook the trailer and back down until it starts to float then pull out the truck. Just in the water for a min at the most. Yeah it's hard on stuff but everything gets wet in the rain. I check the differential for water at the end of the season and change it if it has water in it. Have been doing this for 20 years with the same truck, have never had a problem with brakes or differential. Sometime you just have to do what you have to do to go boating. When the lake is up (it is used for ingratiating) we have concrete ramps that you don't even get the back tires wet. But when it is low that is the only way to get the boat into the lake.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

I have someone in the boat and unhook the trailer and back down until it starts to float then pull out the truck. Just in the water for a min at the most

I meant I unhook the "boat" not the trailer...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

you can put your trailer under the boat, which takes deep water, or put your boat on the trailer, which takes less. The age old rollers and winch set-up, which was SOP before they down-graded trailers to float-on bunks.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

Yes, our ramps are similar....In early Spring it is easy to launch boats but then the water level drops and in the Fall you have to go further. As our local lakes are only 250-260 acres the ramps are normally set up for smaller boats. At some point I am wondering if I can lower my trailer a bit.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

Yes, our ramps are similar....In early Spring it is easy to launch boats but then the water level drops and in the Fall you have to go further. As our local lakes are only 250-260 acres the ramps are normally set up for smaller boats. At some point I am wondering if I can lower my trailer a bit.

Are you using bunks and sinking the trailer, or rollers, or even a tilt trailer? Having had boats like yours, I know what a difference it makes. You have way more options with a roller/tilt trailer.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

Well, I hope I answer this right. I am still new to boating in general as this is our first boat. There are a couple of rollers in the middle of the trailer but it basically slides onto two wooden beams with carpet on them......have to sink the trailer to get it off and although I can winch it up OK I still have to drop the trailer a ways to get the boat to where I can winch it. Not terribly difficult and we have had lots ot practice...But I see larger boats than mine on lower trailers that would seem to be easier to deal with. Not sure what a "tilt" trailer is...

 

[boat1010]

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

You have a bunk trailer, that's what I have too.. Roller trailers the boat sits on the rollers. And a tilt trailer is made so that it will tilt up and it is usually a roller trailer ans it will tilt and you can winch the boat on easier. You are right, some trailers are lower than others to make it easier to load and unload.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Rear brakes froze on tow vehicle...

In that case, if you want to keep what you got, install some bunk slicks. then you don't ahve to sink the trailer so deep. You can also make some adjustments so that more weight is on the keel rollers.