|
07-25-2020, 11:37 AM
|
#1
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 5
|
Brakes Lock Up When Backing
Last year we purchased a new 2020 Winnebago Minnie 2201MB which we tow with a 2018 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel with tow package.
We just returned from a 5 week, 5250 mile round trip out west and back. When backing the trailer into its storage space we noticed that the electric brakes were locking up. Pulling forward was no problem but backing up activated the trailers brakes.
Where do we begin troubleshooting this?
|
|
|
07-25-2020, 12:20 PM
|
#2
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,354
|
It may be that your brake controller is set too high. That would be the most obvious cause.
It wouldn't tend to lock up going forward even if you had it set too high, but you could have issues in an emergency stop?????? I'm thinking the trailer brakes might start skidding too much. Sometimes less is more.
__________________
2019 2106 DS
2019 Colorado Duramax
|
|
|
07-25-2020, 02:24 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Spring Branch, TX
Posts: 8,314
|
Some drum brakes have auto adjusters that tighten the shoes when backing. Is it possible they are too tight and when backing you're tightening them even more?
NOTE: This is a wild-ass guess. And should be treated as such.
__________________
2017 Winnebago Adventurer 37F
2016 Lincoln MKX Toad
|
|
|
07-25-2020, 02:29 PM
|
#4
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,354
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by creativepart
Some drum brakes have auto adjusters that tighten the shoes when backing. Is it possible they are too tight and when backing you're tightening them even more?
NOTE: This is a wild-ass guess. And should be treated as such.
|
LOL.
Brakes often work differently going forwards and backwards. So for example, it might be easier to go forward with your emergency brake accidentally on than backing up (or visa versa). So yeah if the breaks are adjusted too tight I could see backing might be different than going forward.
__________________
2019 2106 DS
2019 Colorado Duramax
|
|
|
07-25-2020, 04:19 PM
|
#5
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Arizona
Posts: 239
|
My dolly has surge brakes. They will engage when going in reverse. I have a key for use when baking up I can insert which will prevent them from engaging.
__________________
-- I must be the last optimist on the planet
2018 Winnebago Intent 31P
Roadmaster anti-sway bar Front/Rear, Safe-T-Plus, SumoSprings-Front/Rear
|
|
|
07-25-2020, 09:12 PM
|
#6
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,354
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by theSane
My dolly has surge brakes. They will engage when going in reverse. I have a key for use when baking up I can insert which will prevent them from engaging.
|
Yes, surge brakes have known problems backing up, particularly up hill. Presumably the OP is talking about electric breaks.
__________________
2019 2106 DS
2019 Colorado Duramax
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 05:29 AM
|
#7
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 5
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodspike
Yes, surge brakes have known problems backing up, particularly up hill. Presumably the OP is talking about electric breaks.
|
Yes, electric brakes. It's odd to me because they lock up when backing without even touching the brake.
I'll hook up again in the storage lot and play with the truck's brake controller to see if that's the problem but if that doesn't work I'm not sure where to look next.
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 07:53 AM
|
#8
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,354
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AWC
Yes, electric brakes. It's odd to me because they lock up when backing without even touching the brake..
|
That is odd. Is this maybe only when you're turning? It could be just the effect of tandem axles, particularly if you're noticing it only on dirt/gravel.
__________________
2019 2106 DS
2019 Colorado Duramax
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 08:51 AM
|
#9
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,354
|
Another thought, the OP said his truck came with the towing package. I'm assuming that's an OEM brake controller, but if not it might be an inertia unit and that might be causing issues.
__________________
2019 2106 DS
2019 Colorado Duramax
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 09:49 AM
|
#10
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 5
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodspike
Another thought, the OP said his truck came with the towing package. I'm assuming that's an OEM brake controller, but if not it might be an inertia unit and that might be causing issues.
|
It is OEM.
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 10:40 AM
|
#11
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Kansas
Posts: 412
|
What happens if you disconnect the trailer electrical connecter from the truck - any difference? Are you sure your trailer brakes actually work correctly when going forward?
__________________
The things you own control your life.
2021 Winnebago Vista 35U towing a 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
2010 Cadillac SRX 2003 Itasca Sunova 30B
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 11:23 AM
|
#12
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,354
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bones2003
What happens if you disconnect the trailer electrical connecter from the truck - any difference? Are you sure your trailer brakes actually work correctly when going forward?
|
If you could do that in a safe place disconnecting and backing up would be a good test. It would tell you if it was the controller or something mechanical with the brakes, such as being over-adjusted.
__________________
2019 2106 DS
2019 Colorado Duramax
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 11:55 AM
|
#13
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 5
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bones2003
What happens if you disconnect the trailer electrical connecter from the truck - any difference? Are you sure your trailer brakes actually work correctly when going forward?
|
Yes, we tested both directions after noticing the reverse issue. I like the idea of disconnecting the electrical connection from the truck and testing. I'm a little embarrassed I didn't think of that myself.
I'll run to the storage lot this week and give that a try.
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 12:06 PM
|
#14
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,354
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AWC
Yes, we tested both directions after noticing the reverse issue. I like the idea of disconnecting the electrical connection from the truck and testing. I'm a little embarrassed I didn't think of that myself.
I'll run to the storage lot this week and give that a try.
|
I'm sorry I didn't mention it, but I was thinking more of a regular thing you would do each time, which I wouldn't consider safe. So I didn't mention it.
BTW, you might want to haul the trailer around a bit before doing this test so that the brakes are warm and in similar condition to when you last experienced this symptom.
__________________
2019 2106 DS
2019 Colorado Duramax
|
|
|
07-26-2020, 03:24 PM
|
#15
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 149
|
Unplug it first, see what happens.
If that fixes it it could be a short in the plug/system where the reverse lights energizes the brake circuit or a loose/bad grounding could also cause that.
Also, are all 4 locking up ?, could be one magnet not releasing also
|
|
|
08-03-2020, 08:16 AM
|
#16
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 28
|
please let us know what you determine. thank you.
|
|
|
08-03-2020, 09:07 AM
|
#17
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 5
|
I went out to the storage facility a few days ago and hooked up to test. I initially did not connect the wiring harness so that I could see if the reverse lockup continued without a braking source. It didn't.
Then I plugged in and tried again and was surprised to see that again, it didn't.
I can only assume that MicroMinnie's theory that I had a bad connection that somehow caused a temporary short or grounding situation which caused the initial lockup.
We have no additional trips planned until December but I'm considering taking it out at some point soon and let the brakes heat up enough to see if that might duplicate the problem. I'll report how that pans out within the next couple of weeks.
Thanks to everyone with suggestions, I just wish I could report a definitive solution.
|
|
|
08-04-2020, 07:03 PM
|
#18
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 69
|
Pictures, Lots of Pictures !!!!!!
Let us see pictures of the trailer Tongue and your brake controller.
__________________
2004 Itaska - Horizon
IKS40WD 350 Cummins
2012 Jeep Wrangler
|
|
|
08-06-2020, 08:38 AM
|
#19
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Spokane Valley WA
Posts: 165
|
It sounds like you have surge brakes on your trailer. I like their simplicity. When your vehicle brakes, the inertia of the trailer pushes into your tow vehicle, and in doing so depresses a master cylinder, like pushing on the break pedal of the trailer. The trouble is backing up creates the same breaking action. Some surge trailer brakes have a rod you stick in, for when you back up. In some systems, if you back gently, they don't activate. Read the manual on your model of surge braking system.
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|