Trailer warning, this could happen to you

[Jstpssng]

Only one axle of tandem axle trailers have brakes (at least that is the case on my 5th wheel and car trailer).

Brakes are mandated here on all axles, for trailers over 3000 lbs.

 

[mrmikey]

Wow that's quite a reminder to 'check your work'!

For sure.
Every time I hook my small trailer up I'll check the lights and test the trailer brakes by operating the brake controller manually. I'm on gravel so I can see the trailer wheels lock up.

 

[HWSkip]

I have your typical Pequea 10,000lb 20’ trailer. It’s a 2022, so still fairly new. Been a very good trailer.
Typical uses are hauling mowers and lighter equipment around, nothing unusual.

One time last year, while running empty down the highway, I hit a huge bump. Trailer actually “got air”, landed and the trailer brakes locked. By the time I quickly got pulled over, I lost 2 of the 4 tires. Came very close to a loss of control of the trailer. I never understood why the brakes locked. Trailer worked perfectly since that event. I replaced the 2 bad tires, trailer break-away kit and the battery and the battery housing, just in case it had some kind of glitch in it.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and the same thing happened, but at very low speed, so just a couple skid marks.
Then last week, it happened again on my driveway, again at low speed, but I knew I needed to figure this out before a tragedy. Looked at everything I could think of.

While disconnecting the trailer, I pulled the 7 pin plug and heard a rattle in the plug itself. I removed the tiny locking screw and slid the cover back on the plug. Inside the cover, one of the short brass wire anchoring screws (the one for the center lug) had come loose and was floating around.

I believe that randomly, that wire anchoring screw would jump into the right spot where the brake connection wire is and ground out with the terminal next to it and cause the brakes to lock. Could this have been the reason the brakes locked? Makes sense to me.

I thought to myself that anyone with a trailer plug could have this happen. Pull the cover off your plug. Tighten the small screws. Make sure you remove or greatly tighten/use thread lock on any that are unused!

I always put RTV Sealant on the Screw Connectors so that they don't come Loose

 

[mjonesnh]

Only one axle of tandem axle trailers have brakes (at least that is the case on my 5th wheel and car trailer).

Brakes on both axles for me. 7k dual axle

 

[Dadah]

I have your typical Pequea 10,000lb 20’ trailer. It’s a 2022, so still fairly new. Been a very good trailer.
Typical uses are hauling mowers and lighter equipment around, nothing unusual.

One time last year, while running empty down the highway, I hit a huge bump. Trailer actually “got air”, landed and the trailer brakes locked. By the time I quickly got pulled over, I lost 2 of the 4 tires. Came very close to a loss of control of the trailer. I never understood why the brakes locked. Trailer worked perfectly since that event. I replaced the 2 bad tires, trailer break-away kit and the battery and the battery housing, just in case it had some kind of glitch in it.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and the same thing happened, but at very low speed, so just a couple skid marks.
Then last week, it happened again on my driveway, again at low speed, but I knew I needed to figure this out before a tragedy. Looked at everything I could think of.

While disconnecting the trailer, I pulled the 7 pin plug and heard a rattle in the plug itself. I removed the tiny locking screw and slid the cover back on the plug. Inside the cover, one of the short brass wire anchoring screws (the one for the center lug) had come loose and was floating around.

I believe that randomly, that wire anchoring screw would jump into the right spot where the brake connection wire is and ground out with the terminal next to it and cause the brakes to lock. Could this have been the reason the brakes locked? Makes sense to me.

I thought to myself that anyone with a trailer plug could have this happen. Pull the cover off your plug. Tighten the small screws. Make sure you remove or greatly tighten/use thread lock on any that are unused!

Thanks!!

 

[neilpaku]

Were both wheels that locked up on the same axle? If so, it could be that, because the trailer was empty, when the brakes came on at full power, the load sharing caused that axle to become unloaded more than the other axle. The other thing is that your other wheels' brakes just might not be any good. I usually do a brake test when I hook up my trailer to confirm all four wheels lock

 

[joea99]

Many "silicone's" will cause corrosion, they have an acetic acid base that citrus smell that you smell while working with it. A latex caulk will not cause corrosion

That may apply to silicone caulk or "curing" sealants, but not to silicone paste which stays soft. That is used all the time for weather exposed connectors.

Amazon.com

 

[can do]

I have your typical Pequea 10,000lb 20’ trailer. It’s a 2022, so still fairly new. Been a very good trailer.
Typical uses are hauling mowers and lighter equipment around, nothing unusual.

One time last year, while running empty down the highway, I hit a huge bump. Trailer actually “got air”, landed and the trailer brakes locked. By the time I quickly got pulled over, I lost 2 of the 4 tires. Came very close to a loss of control of the trailer. I never understood why the brakes locked. Trailer worked perfectly since that event. I replaced the 2 bad tires, trailer break-away kit and the battery and the battery housing, just in case it had some kind of glitch in it.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago and the same thing happened, but at very low speed, so just a couple skid marks.
Then last week, it happened again on my driveway, again at low speed, but I knew I needed to figure this out before a tragedy. Looked at everything I could think of.

While disconnecting the trailer, I pulled the 7 pin plug and heard a rattle in the plug itself. I removed the tiny locking screw and slid the cover back on the plug. Inside the cover, one of the short brass wire anchoring screws (the one for the center lug) had come loose and was floating around.

I believe that randomly, that wire anchoring screw would jump into the right spot where the brake connection wire is and ground out with the terminal next to it and cause the brakes to lock. Could this have been the reason the brakes locked? Makes sense to me.

I thought to myself that anyone with a trailer plug could have this happen. Pull the cover off your plug. Tighten the small screws. Make sure you remove or greatly tighten/use thread lock on any that are unused!

Great TIP! In Virginia your required a annual inspection on trailers that have dual axles they do a good job checking everything, But they never check the sleeve for the 7 way connections. I very rarely check it myself, & the only reason I check it is; It was required on pre, inter, & post trip inspections to check your pigtail when I drove a truck for 40+ years, But nobody ever checks inside the plug'n sleeve. Again great warning Hay Dude that will be a item on my safety check list from now on I just did a 841 mile trip with my trailer earlier this year to pick up a car. I checked everything on the trailer, But that thank You again.

 

[RandyT]

Brakes are mandated here on all axles, for trailers over 3000 lbs.

Here in IL it is 3001-5000 is brakes on one axle. And 5001 and over is all axles. The issue is people will purchase 7x16 tandem axle utility trailers with no brakes and license them for 3000 lbs. Or like I saw this morning a 7 x 16 utility with no brakes, 4 pin wiring harness, and 2 inch ball. So license for 3000 lbs, the 2 inch ball limits the trailer to a 5000 lbs hitch rating, and the trailer has 2-3500 lbs axles.

 

[EmeraldCity]

the 2 inch ball limits the trailer to a 5000 lbs hitch rating, and the trailer has 2-3500 lbs axles.

I've found exceptions. There are 2" balls that are rated for 12,000lbs. I have a 22 flat bed with a 12k 2" ball receiver. Came that way from the factory. I made sure I got a 2" 12k rated ball to pull it. I hauled my 1967 Ford 3000 w/FEL and a Kubota GR2000 from Seattle to near Waco, TX. But I'm not comfortable with it so plan to have the receiver cut off and a new one welded on that accepts a 2 5/8" ball.

Rich
Copperas Cove, TX