One hot brake?
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4573
Printed Date: 08 Jun 2025 at 8:20pm
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Topic: One hot brake?
Posted By: Tony9704
Subject: One hot brake?
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 7:21pm
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 8:00pm
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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 |
Posted By: Tony9704
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 8:04pm
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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 |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 8:21pm
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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 |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 9:24pm
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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 |
Posted By: Tony9704
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 6:13am
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What's a Bargman? ------------- Only in America, Where the machinery of capitalism is lubed by the blood of the worker -Homer Simpson |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 8:05am
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It is the official name for the 7-pin connection used by RVs. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Tony9704
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 4:14pm
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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 |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 4:56pm
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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 |
Posted By: Tony9704
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2014 at 6:34pm
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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 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2014 at 8:47am
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Best thing you can do is to scrape off a little of the insulation on each wire, close to the brake mechanism, and do a voltmeter reading while someone is stepping on the brake. I wouldn't just pull the emergency brake pin since that will supply the full voltage and amperage from the battery - which may hide a connection problem that would be evident at a lower voltage. It would also hide any problem at the Bargman connection. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2014 at 1:12pm
I am not a fan of soldering wires on a vehicle. I used to do airplane wiring in the Air Force and solder was almost never used on wireing on airplanes because soldering a stranded wire makes it a solid wire and solid wires are more likely to fail under vibration because they are to brittle. A good quality crimp is better than a soldered connection in my opinion.
------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2014 at 8:17pm
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I soldered all the connections for the marker lights when I put on the new LED's, made sure they had plenty of heat-shrink to protect the connections. The crimp-on connectors have a greater chance of failing over the years due to corrosion. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2014 at 10:30pm
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We only use butt connectors with heat shrink tubing on them. No corrosion issues & the heat shrink supports the wire to keep it from breaking. ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: Tony9704
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2014 at 10:25pm
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So I jacked up each side of the pod and spun the wheels while the wifey pressed the brakes on the TV. The side which was getting really hot stopped instantly. The side that was cool after driving didn't have any braking ability. So, that answered the first question of whether there was a brake dragging or a brake not working. So why was the cold side not responding? Upon closer inspection, I noticed one of the crummy crimp connections was slightly sticking out higher on one side. I took a pair of channel locks and re-crimped the splicer. Success. Full braking on both sides. I'll have to remember to reset the brake controller on my next drive as the braking will be excessive now that both sides are rockin'! The first time I did a visual I was looking for something much more obvious (broken wire) oh well at least I know these connectors are as unreliable as I thought they would be... Thanks y'all for your help. ------------- Only in America, Where the machinery of capitalism is lubed by the blood of the worker -Homer Simpson |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2014 at 12:21pm
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Glad to hear you figured it out. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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