One hot brake?

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   Hello R-podders,I've owned a 178 for a year now and noticed that only one of my brakes was warm after it's springtime maiden voyage/test drive.  I'm guessing if the system were working correctly, both brakes would be warm to the touch. Can anyone give me the shortened version of how these things work?  Does each brake receive the 12v signal independently and then actuate the brake locally, or does the 12v signal go from the 7pin connector to a module somewhere and then send out a single split signal from there?  I'm not even sure I'm in the ballpark here so some help would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks in advance

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Tony9704 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2014 Location: Delafield, Wi Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Topic: One hot brake? Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 7:21pm
	Hello R-podders, I've owned a 178 for a year now and noticed that only one of my brakes was warm after it's springtime maiden voyage/test drive. I'm guessing if the system were working correctly, both brakes would be warm to the touch. Can anyone give me the shortened version of how these things work? Does each brake receive the 12v signal independently and then actuate the brake locally, or does the 12v signal go from the 7pin connector to a module somewhere and then send out a single split signal from there? I'm not even sure I'm in the ballpark here so some help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
	Only in America, Where the machinery of capitalism is lubed by the blood of the worker -Homer Simpson

David and Danette Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1223	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 8:00pm
	Our axle was replaced and after being replaced only one brake was working. It was repaired under warranty at Camping World and was told by the technician that one of the wires were not connected. A simple repair if you knew where to look.
	2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Tony9704 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2014 Location: Delafield, Wi Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 8:04pm
	Thanks for the reply. I saw the 2 wires going into the brake itself. They looked to be in good condition so I didn't second guess them. I suppose I could have someone hold the brakes and I could check for voltage? Does anyone know what the range is?
	Only in America, Where the machinery of capitalism is lubed by the blood of the worker -Homer Simpson

Outbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 8:21pm
	Its a simple system. Both brakes receive the same signal: variable voltage maxing at 12v. There's no intelligence at all at the trailer side. To check if they're working: disconnect the bargman from your vehicle (VERY IMPORTANT as you could BURN OUT your brake controller), ensure that your battery is connected, jack up the side in question so that the tire is just off the ground and will turn freely, and then pull the breakaway pin. The brakes should full-on lock and the raised tire shouldn't turn. This does put some strain on the electric brake, so try to keep the actual time the pin is out to a minute or two. I suspect, however, that your brakes are simply out of adjustment and one side is tighter than the other. Brake adjust isn't terribly difficult - but it's probably best if you have someone knowledgeable show you (and check your work) as its a safety issue.
	Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150

Craneman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2013 Location: Tokeland,wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 387	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 9:24pm
	I just hook my truck to the trailer and jack up the side that gets hot and see if the wheel turns freely then have my wife apply the brake.should stop and then when she takes her foot off the wheel should spin freely. I just did that tis morning before a shot trip comming up. Just repacked the bearings. Moe
	Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150

Tony9704 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2014 Location: Delafield, Wi Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 6:13am
	What's a Bargman?
	Only in America, Where the machinery of capitalism is lubed by the blood of the worker -Homer Simpson

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 8:05am
	It is the official name for the 7-pin connection used by RVs.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Tony9704 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2014 Location: Delafield, Wi Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 4:14pm
	1. So if I jack up only one side of the trailer, the wheel should spin freely unless the brake is applied? (Assuming that the brake works). 2. Could the "emergency brake disconnect cable system" cause a brake to engage on one side only? Maybe that brake is dragging and creating the heat I felt, and the other brake was operating normally? Everything felt fine driving it except a slight pull to one side when applying the brakes. I looked over the wiring and everything looks ok externally.
	Only in America, Where the machinery of capitalism is lubed by the blood of the worker -Homer Simpson

Hairy Podders Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 05 Mar 2014 Location: Northwest Ohio Online Status: Offline Posts: 217	Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 4:56pm
	The only way that one brake will work & not the other is to have a wire unhooked in that circuit, have one brake adjusted too loosely, or have a mechanical problem in the not working brake. If one brake applies electrically, they both should work from the same source.
	Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

Tony9704 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2014 Location: Delafield, Wi Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 6:34pm
	Thanks HPodders! I looked over the wiring, and it passed the visual test. Buuuuut, how reliable are those connectors that they use? You'd think for how much these things cost they could solder/heat shrink the wiring connections. These connectors look like the crappy plastic splice ones that come with car stereos. And they are used exclusively... Starting to make me a bit nervous.
	Only in America, Where the machinery of capitalism is lubed by the blood of the worker -Homer Simpson