Trailer pulling to one side on braking...

[DDA40X]

I have a 2009 5 x 10 utility trailer with a single 5200-lb. axle and electric brakes. The trailer has seen relatively light, infrequent use.

A few months ago, I noticed when braking, the rear of the trailer would pull to the right.

I repacked the bearings and replaced both brake assemblies with self-adjusting units. I manually adjusted the brakes before first use.

The trailer still pulls to the right (I tested with the trailer unloaded), but not as much as before. Before, it was noticeable enough to cause the nose of the tow vehicle to pull to the right - it does not do that now.

Is some pull to one side or another normal? Or is there still something wrong?

 

[oosik]

My experience with big & small trailers would indicate you still have something to correct. On a light trailer it would not take much to cause the condition you are experiencing. Adjustment of the electric braking controls - inconsistent surfacing of the two drums or shoes - brakes dragging on one side - tire inflation pressure.

 

[Ford850]

If your trailer is pulling to the right, wouldn't that push the nose of the tow vehicle to the left? Does the trailer act this way on more than one tow vehicle?

 

[bcp]

Might it originally have had LH and RH brakes, and now you have two LH or two RH brakes?

Bruce

 

[DDA40X]

Thank you, bcp, Ford850, and oosik for your responses.

Might it originally have had LH and RH brakes, and now you have two LH or two RH brakes?

That's not it - I'm sure I have one LH and one RH brake.

If your trailer is pulling to the right, wouldn't that push the nose of the tow vehicle to the left? Does the trailer act this way on more than one tow vehicle?

If the rear of the trailer goes right upon braking that means the tongue goes left. And if the tongue exerts a force to the left on the rear of the tow vehicle, wouldn't that make the front of the tow vehicle go to the right?

I have not tried the trailer with another tow vehicle.

Adjustment of the electric braking controls - inconsistent surfacing of the two drums or shoes - brakes dragging on one side - tire inflation pressure.

I will check those items - I just didn't want to put the trailer up on blocks again if it wasn't necessary.

A possible clue: The new LH assembly arrived to me "disassembled" - the rear shoe had slipped off the adjuster. I put it back in place and it appeared to be okay. When I went to adjust it manually after the install, it didn't feel right. I could manually tighten and loosen the shoes but the tightening and loosening would not happen gradually/smoothly and didn't feel as 'positive' as the RH side did and as the previous set did.

I called the dealer before I drove the trailer with its new brakes to report the above - I was told to not worry about it since they're self-adjusting. BTW, I don't have much confidence in that online dealer based on this and several other experiences with them.

 

[kthompson]

How did you test the brakes? Are you sure the left brake is working? Only way I know to is on dirt road or drive and see how each tire shows up the dirt drag. Not saying the proper way to but way I test.

 

[Billrog]

Check the air in the tires if one is low it will brake more than the other.

 

[DDA40X]

How did you test the brakes? Are you sure the left brake is working? Only way I know to is on dirt road or drive and see how each tire shows up the dirt drag

Before I put the trailer on the ground I had an assistant in the tow vehicle apply the brakes while I spun each wheel by hand. This test was to make sure the wiring was good. That was really the only test - however, if one brake wasn't working, wouldn't the pulling to one side be extreme?

Thanks for your suggestion, kthompson - I can still try that to make sure.

 

[DDA40X]

Check the air in the tires if one is low it will brake more than the other.

I hadn't thought of that, billrog - thank you. I just checked them and they're equal. Tires are brand new, BTW.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Do you have a bent tongue or axle, has something slipped on one side ? Spindles bent etc ?

Time to do some real careful measuring. From a point on the tongue to exact same spot on spring on each side. To hub on each side. To tires etc. be careful to duplicate exactly on both sides.

 

[Reb954]

Make sure the U-bolts holding the axle and spring together are tight and that you haven't sheared the alignment pin.

 

[Morning Wood]

I would check the wiring in the trailer. Could be you have poor voltage to one side. Or bad ground or something. Wiring is always the first thing to go it seems.

 

[rbtjr]

I would check the wiring in the trailer. Could be you have poor voltage to one side. Or bad ground or something. Wiring is always the first thing to go it seems.

+1 about this thought. If on one side there is a poor connection or other condition causing a voltage drop at the trouble spot, that could explain why one brake is exerting more braking force than the other. And although you would certainly expect a problem like this to be on the trailer, theoretically it could be on the vehicle side, possibly at the plug.

 

[Egon]

Jack up the trailer and set the tow vehicle brakes. Then start checking by trying to turn the wheels and amp draw on each brake.

 

[robertsa]

Jack up the trailer and set the tow vehicle brakes. Then start checking by trying to turn the wheels and amp draw on each brake.

Does the OP know how to check amperage?

 

[DDA40X]

Thank you for the additional suggestions to check the physical measurements, U-bolts, wiring, etc. - I'll be checking all those things.

Does the OP know how to check amperage?

Yes, I know how to check amperage - thanks.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Let us know what the problem is once you know

 

[civilian]

Thank you for the additional suggestions to check the physical measurements, U-bolts, wiring, etc. - I'll be checking all those things.



Yes, I know how to check amperage - thanks.

Would someone like to explain how to check amp draw? Understand how to check voltage but not amp draw. Thanks, Jon

 

[Fallon]

Would someone like to explain how to check amp draw? Understand how to check voltage but not amp draw. Thanks, Jon

Fluke Clamp Meters, Amp Meters and Clamp On Ammeters or similar (Fluke will be expensive).

Just clamp it over the power or ground (not both) for a given brake (or whatever). When the wire is energised the meter will display current.

Most multimeters can be put in series (cut wire, splice the meter inline) & measure current as well. They are usually limited to 10@ at best. And it can be quite a pain to get the meter wired inline.

 

[JPRambo]

If they are self adjusting. Can't you try letting them. Backup while using brakes to adjust themselves?