Hot wheel drum causes

[Steve7]

I just got my trailer back from having a few small issues corrected under warranty. I had adjusted my brakes prior to going into Camping World, and noticed one brake drum was hot. So I had them repack the bearings and inspect/adjust brakes. On the way home I found two of my drums were now hotter than the other two, neither was as hot as the first time, but still hot.

I took a moment and adjusted the hot wheels by one click, and that helped. The same two wheels though were somewhat hot by the time I arrived home. The other two wheels were cool.

Is there anything I'm not thinking of that can be causing this? How much should these heat up during normal conditions (no big downhills, etc)? I plan on jacking it up and adjusting one more time.

[Lloyd]

Not only having the brakes set to tight, but if they tightened the wheel bearings to much that will cause heat also.
You should be able to tell if it's bearings or brakes once you get it up in the air and spin the tire.

[Dayle1]

If braking is significantly imbalanced between the 4 brakes, then some will always be hotter than others. I have never trusted the # of clicks, but then my technique is more difficult.

Also, imbalance can be caused by grease on some of the shoes, an out of round drum, even a drum with the drum face out of true with the center hole.

Anyway, if one drum is always hotter, then it could be grease on one of the other shoes, etc. If adjusting the brakes changes which drum is hotter, then you just need to fine tune them a little more.

Another imbalance is no power to several of the brakes, they will always be cooler and the drums will only get warm due to tire heat while the others are doing all of the braking effort. You should jack up the trailer and check brake function by pulling the breakaway pin.

[Steve7]

I will double check that Lloyd. I was at a tire shop after picking it up, installing those metal valve stems we spoke about. I could tell the brakes were slightly draggingwhen I spun them. I had to wait until they were done to adjust, so I need to get it up on jacks again. TST system seamed to be working well though, but I'm not sure about the temperature being very accurate on the outside. It will at least show inconsistencies from tire to tire.

[Steve7]

Thanks for the advise Larry. I did pull the brake pin, and Wam, they stopped immediately. Like supposed to.

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by Steve7

I'm not sure about the temperature being very accurate on the outside. It will at least show inconsistencies from tire to tire.

You are correct about temperature not being very accurate.
It will tell you the difference in temp from side to side when the sun is shining on one side.

[Dayle1]

Originally Posted by Steve7

Thanks for the advise Larry. I did pull the brake pin, and Wam, they stopped immediately. Like supposed to.

But could you tell that all 4 were working? You need to be on gravel and better yet, have someone walk beside the trailer to verify all 4 tires are dragging. A high resistance connection can result in less voltage to one of the magnets and below normal braking force. Or, a significant weight imbalance can affect drum temps. If the brakes were changed recently, then some shoes can take longer to wear to conform to the drum which also affects drum temps.

[Russb]

An easy way to determine if power is getting to the brake magnets is to hold a compass near the wheel and apply the trailer brake, if the compass needle moves the brake is getting power. This doesn't tell how well the brakes are working, just an indication that power is getting to the magnets.

[Steve7]

Thanks for the response Larry and Russ. I'm gonna see if I can get to it today, as long as the weather cooperates...I really want to solve this issue. I have a very long trip coming up in four weeks.

[Steve7]

I spent several hours checking the wheels and adjusting the brakes. I think I finally have it to where all brakes are close. One is still getting a little hot whereas the other three are not.

The trailer seems to be stopping the truck, and not visa versa...but I have to have my controller set to at least 8.5. I wonder if other ford owners with the integrated controllers also are using that high of number.

[Russb]

Originally Posted by Steve7

I spent several hours checking the wheels and adjusting the brakes. I think I finally have it to where all brakes are close. One is still getting a little hot whereas the other three are not.

The trailer seems to be stopping the truck, and not visa versa...but I have to have my controller set to at least 8.5. I wonder if other ford owners with the integrated controllers also are using that high of number.

My controller is set at 8.

[Dayle1]

If it feels like the trailer is stopping the truck, then that is really how it should feel. I'd leave it alone. Opposite case the trailer pushes the truck and in a direction different than the steering direction and you loose control. Also aggressive trailer braking is the simplest cure for trailer sway downhill or wind gusts.

[Lloyd]

Steve, I have mine set at 5.
I wonder if you have grease seals leaking either now or before the last service, and the shoes are contaminated.

[Steve7]

I just had Camping World repack the bearings. They were supposed to inspect everything, and adjust the brakes. They told me I had 70% pad left on all. All I know is I had to readjust the brakes (still working on it), and am wondering if they even did the job. I pulled the wheels but not the drums, so can't tell for sure. I'm contemplating doing it myself again, but can't wrap my head around a business not doing what they charged me for. My wife thinks I'm a conspiracy theorist��

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by Steve7

I just had Camping World repack the bearings. They were supposed to inspect everything, and adjust the brakes. They told me I had 70% pad left on all. All I know is I had to readjust the brakes (still working on it), and am wondering if they even did the job. I pulled the wheels but not the drums, so can't tell for sure. I'm contemplating doing it myself again, but can't wrap my head around a business not doing what they charged me for.

My wife thinks I'm a conspiracy theorist��

Maybe she knows you better then you do?
You came from the right profession to be accused of that.

[LeBo]

Hi Steve7, I thought I had a brake problem also on my 2011 31 RK Cruiser. After replacing trailer plug and matting plug on the truck and replacing backing plates with new pads, Also replaced all the brake wiring and tried my next door neighbors truck (Same as mine ) 2008 Ford F250 and seems like it made about 10% difference for the better. I know they need to be broke in and maybe readjusted may make a difference. I checked the magnets and they draw about 3.75 amps. I not sure if anti-lock system effects anything but I run at level 10 all the time.

[Steve7]

Lloyd, you're probably right...
Lee, Larry, and Russ, thanks for your thoughts. It's great to get new ideas from everyone, and to know I'm in good company. It gives me confidence to dig into these things when fellow members give great suggestions from experience. I'm glad to hear others are high on their controller outputs also. I've put the trailer away for the night and will try to get that last wheel adjusted/solved on Friday.

[cw3jason]

Originally Posted by Steve7

I spent several hours checking the wheels and adjusting the brakes. I think I finally have it to where all brakes are close. One is still getting a little hot whereas the other three are not.

The trailer seems to be stopping the truck, and not visa versa...but I have to have my controller set to at least 8.5. I wonder if other ford owners with the integrated controllers also are using that high of number.

Ford owner with integrated controller here. I noticed a little to much tug with a setting of 8. I use 7 and it seems about right. just thought I would give you my experience with the Ford brake controller.

[Steve7]

Thanks Jason.

[cowboy_71]

Yep, 8.0 r 8.5 is what mine is set on...