Trailer brakes siezed at boat ramp

[drrpm]

We had a nice day at the lake and got ready to pull the boat out. I pulled my truck and trailer around and got ready to back down the ramp but the trailer would not budge. I could neither move forward or reverse. The trailer has electrically actuated hydraulic disc brakes. Disconnecting the trailer electrical hook up had no effect. I finally bled the brakes to release them so that I could retrieve the boat, but had no trailer brakes anymore. Any ideas as to what the problem is? My initial thought was something electrical but shouldn't the brakes release when the electricity is off? The trailer is probably around 3-4 years old (Tennessee Trailer) and I don't have any obvious external signs that anything is wrong. (Brake lines, connections, rotors and piston assembly all appear externally normal with no obvious corrosion). Thanks for any ideas,
Ed

 

[this forum wont let me]

Re: Trailer brakes siezed at boat ramp

on my 26ft full deck car trailer the battery box on the trailer has a pull pin. On that if the pin pulls it locks my brakes on the trailer. long shot here but maybe the little thing this time good luck

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Trailer brakes siezed at boat ramp

The folks at Tennessee Trailers were very cordial and helpful when I called them recently about an issue with my trailer. Good luck!

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Trailer brakes siezed at boat ramp

Hi Ed

You are on the right track

Take a good look at the trailer and try to fully understand the path of brake fluid from the reservoir to the calipers

When you have a firm grasp on your particular system, fault will be obvious.

At the tongue of the trailer thee is a master cylinder and a solenoid (most likely) try to figure out what is causing the piston to remain in the wrong position.

 

[salty87]

Re: Trailer brakes siezed at boat ramp

you bled the fluid out of the brakes? onto the ground?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer brakes siezed at boat ramp

Sounds like you have an electric over hydraulic actuator...is that correct? Which brand?

 

[drrpm]

Re: Trailer brakes siezed at boat ramp

Yeah, I know brake fluid is bad stuff, but it was only a few drops and when your blocking the ramp with a siezed up trailer on Sunday evening you've got to do something.
Nothing else that I and the other people there tried had any effect. Releasing a few drops of fluid got the ramp open and boat retrieved. Any suggestions about how to handle a problem like this are welcome.