A couple of months ago I packed up my two atvs and headed for the U.P. (northern northern northern Michigan). I went over my truck and trailer with a fine tooth comb... Twice before I left. I didn't see anything that sent up any red flags but, who knows what will happen when you are traveling so far. (St.Louis, Mo to Marquette, Mi.
We got about half way and I get a trailer fault alarm on my dash. I figured the rough roads of Illinois beat a ground loose. No problem. I pulled over reset the alarm and checked the trailer over. I touched all 4 hubs and they were cool to the touch. Even though we had been booking at 70mph for hours.
About 2 more hours and it happened again. Hmmm... Darn ground wire!
We were 3/4s of the way through the trip when I turned around in a parking lot and heard the very distinct sound of a brake dragging. Uh oh... I knew I didn't have any spare parts with me and figured I would be better off not tearing in to it if I didn't have to. I turned the brakes down a little and just took it easy. We made it home with no issues and had an absolutely great time.
When I found the time I picked my trailer up and pulled the wheels off the axle with the brakes and found this...
[ame="https://youtu.be/dBC5A1Qy4kk"]https://youtu.be/dBC5A1Qy4kk[/ame]
I am not sure what exactly happened to it but, when I pulled the drum off parts fell to the ground the rear shoe fell to the position in the picture.
Since the wiring could use a much needed upgrade and I am planning on taking more trips like this with this trailer I decided it was time for an upgrade.
I stripped the wiring harness out from underneath the trailer and am in the process of rewiring it from front to back. I am also going to add brakes to both axles.
Anyone interested in seeing the progress of my new project?
We got about half way and I get a trailer fault alarm on my dash. I figured the rough roads of Illinois beat a ground loose. No problem. I pulled over reset the alarm and checked the trailer over. I touched all 4 hubs and they were cool to the touch. Even though we had been booking at 70mph for hours.
About 2 more hours and it happened again. Hmmm... Darn ground wire!
We were 3/4s of the way through the trip when I turned around in a parking lot and heard the very distinct sound of a brake dragging. Uh oh... I knew I didn't have any spare parts with me and figured I would be better off not tearing in to it if I didn't have to. I turned the brakes down a little and just took it easy. We made it home with no issues and had an absolutely great time.
When I found the time I picked my trailer up and pulled the wheels off the axle with the brakes and found this...
[ame="https://youtu.be/dBC5A1Qy4kk"]https://youtu.be/dBC5A1Qy4kk[/ame]
I am not sure what exactly happened to it but, when I pulled the drum off parts fell to the ground the rear shoe fell to the position in the picture.
Since the wiring could use a much needed upgrade and I am planning on taking more trips like this with this trailer I decided it was time for an upgrade.
I stripped the wiring harness out from underneath the trailer and am in the process of rewiring it from front to back. I am also going to add brakes to both axles.
Anyone interested in seeing the progress of my new project?
