Frozen drum brakes on trailer
Aug 5, 2019 11:39:06 #
I have an ongoing issue with my drum brakes freezing. It’s used twice a year in salt water. I can’t rinse them. It’s happened since the trailer was new. I spray the drum with on blaster and hammer it and usually brakes free. I don’t go more than a mile per year with it. Does anyone know , if I drain the fluid and remove the brake lines. Will that stop the brake shoes from engaging? Any ideas wld be greatly appreciated.
Aug 5, 2019 12:10:21 #
most likely electric brakes -- unless you have a brake fluid line you connect everytime you pull your trailer BUT if they are elec. , the metal fragments in your pads ( in most brake pads ) will rust and swell to bond with your drums. you will have to pull tires and drums and cover shoes with plastic trash bags till next use. I can't see a laborless way to stop your problem.
Aug 5, 2019 12:43:39 #
Do you really need the brakes?
mornincffee pretty much covered it, other then getting a trailer with no brakes.
Still needs to be hosed down and let dry before you cover them.
mornincffee pretty much covered it, other then getting a trailer with no brakes.
Still needs to be hosed down and let dry before you cover them.
Aug 5, 2019 12:52:40 #
Thank you both. At this point I’m expecting some labor. My plan is to eliminate the brakes. It drives less than a mile a year . It’s a 22 ft eastern and it’s not that heavy. Like anything boating , it haunts you until it’s fixed. I’m just tired of spraying and hammering when it’s time to launch or haul. I always rinse it but I think the lack of use is probably not helping the issue. Thank you again. Andy
Aug 5, 2019 12:54:38 #
Aug 5, 2019 13:13:57 #
fishrmans
Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl
Pull the wheels and pull out the old brake shoes. If it’s a light trailer and boat they are not needed.still make sure you grease your bearings regularly.
Aug 5, 2019 13:39:48 #
That’s gonna have to be my plan. Hopefully I can get the drums apart. Its a beautiful dual axle trailer but I just don’t need the brakes and most importantly. I don’t need the hassle they are causing me. Thank you so much. Everything I read online says I’m an idiot for disabling the brakes. I’ve never had a trailer with brakes before this one and I only use it to launch and haul. Literally less than a mile round trip. So nice to see helpful people are out there. Thank you , thank you , thank you.
Aug 5, 2019 16:16:53 #
Hey Andy, I had a Ventura trailer for a 22' Sea pro and brake problems developed soon after purchasing. One wheel would lock up sometimes reversing would free it, but most time raising the wheel and hammering the rim would free it. Washing them down after the dip and trying to dry them with a few miles of driving wasn't working either. Final solution remove braking system, travel a little slower and anticipate stopping.
plumbob
plumbob
Aug 5, 2019 16:20:38 #
L.W.
Loc: Spokane Valley, Washington
most surge brakes have a way of blocking the for when you back up. check this before you go to a lot of trouble dismantling them. I have worked with a lot of equipment trailers with surge brakes. I think that your load is not heavy enough to get your brakes to release . sometimes it takes a little bit of a jerk to release them. also the tongue needs to be kept we greased where it slides.
Aug 5, 2019 17:21:39 #
I think what you did is the most viable solution for me too. This has happened every year since the trailer was new. It does come free easier when the boat is on the trailer but that even after pb blaster and a 5 lb hammering. The boat is kept on a mooring and this isn’t an issue I want to panic about as a hurricane is on the way. I also think it’s light enough to not need the brakes with the short distance I drive it. Thank you for your input as well. Andy
Aug 5, 2019 17:24:57 #
I’m gonna try what you said one more time before I wrestle the brake drums apart. As boat owners , we have enough nickel and diming to drive us nuts as it is. Thank you for your input. Andy
Aug 5, 2019 17:32:02 #
Aug 5, 2019 17:57:38 #
Haha!!! Sometimes I wonder why I do it. I don’t eat fish but just can’t stop the hunt for the fish that’s just never big enough. I fish salt and fresh. Love them both equally. I’m a very lucky guy. I’m 46 with a second marriage and 3 teenagers who will all fish with me. I’d like to think that in the end the money won’t matter. There is no price on a memory and every summer we make some really nice ones. I always tell them , I won’t know my fish of my lifetime until my life is over. I know I haven’t met that fish yet. I always try to eliminate frustration for others as best I can. Unfortunately it’s more of a hands on live and learn game. I wish you and every fisherman the adrenaline rush and all it does for me mentally. Andy
Aug 5, 2019 18:24:21 #
Could be we all wish we had the money we have spent on gear, bait, gas and a of the other parts of fishing,boating,hunting.
I told my youngest son I wouldn't trade it for the fun and memories.
I told my youngest son I wouldn't trade it for the fun and memories.
Aug 5, 2019 18:51:37 #
There’s just nothing better. The anticipation before a trip and the fishing season. It’s poetry and has kept me away from a lot of poisons in this world. I wish the same for yours and mine. It’s the best gift my father ever gave me.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.