Trailer Brakes Smoking

Amarillo Palmira · 07-08-08, 05:38 AM

Hey Guys,

As I was going to my fishing spot on Sunday (about 45 minutes from the house), I noticed a little smoke coming from one of my wheels. I pulled over and took a look. Didn't seem hot so I drove the rest of the way (about 5 more minutes) to the ramp.

Everything seemed fine on the way home. So, what do I do now? The trailer is a 2007 tandem axle Stratos Trail. The brakes are surge brakes. I plan to check the "actuator" (at least I think that's what is called) to make sure its not stuck and take all the bearings apart and repack everything. Also, take a look at the calipers and rotors and all that. Beyond that, not sure what else I can do. Any suggestions? Thanks! Amarillo Palmira

Captmikestarrett · 07-08-08, 11:11 AM

Disk or drum ?
Single brake or double?

I have trailered so many years and I have a routine at every stop / fillup / lunch break. Now that I am older pee break too. I get out and walk around both sides of trailer and put my hand close to center of wheel to feel heat. Smell the air for burning and never ever touch the hub.. Burnt the skin right off my fingertips just once to learn that lesson.

I will help if I can.

Capt Mike

Bender · 07-08-08, 01:06 PM

I read a good tip recently that said if you get an infrared temp gun and keep it in your glove box then when you get out shoot it at your hubs and develop a baseline temp. Then on all future trips you can compare the temps to see if a problem is developing.
I fished with a guy a few weeks ago who had a bearing seize when he was trailering after leaving the Detroit River in a pretty bad area. Luckily he got it fixed without incident, but I wouldn't want that to happen to me.
Edit: By checking the "actuator" are you talking about the little lever thing that resets the brakes if the safety cable gets pulled on? If not I would check that.

flfireman · 07-08-08, 03:55 PM

If it was just a one time thing. You may have just got something hung up or picked up some debris or fluid. Did it feel as if you were dragging? Or it was going bad and something finally gave way, the smoke was the end result of it.

lowrider · 07-08-08, 04:51 PM

what type of smell did the smoke have? the diff between brake pads and oil/grease from a hub should tell you pretty quick.

Jackl · 07-08-08, 10:13 PM

PALMIRA,
Check the brake shoe actuators and make surer they are not locked up from rust. ROLCO trailers are bad about that problem, I am not familiar with STRATOS trailers. Do they have brake shoes and brake drums like ROLCO, or do they have disc brakes and pads?
A friend of mine has a ROLCO trailer with drums and shoes that was giving him that type of problem. We tore the hubs down and sand blasted every part inside the hubs, greased with waterproof grease and they worked fine for a couple years, then we overhauled and sand blasted them again, no problems!
JackL

Amarillo Palmira · 07-10-08, 08:27 PM

Thanks everybody for all the tips. Its a tandem axle trailer with single axle disc brakes. I launch in brackish rivers and after reading all your tips, I suspect its a rust problem.

I called Stratos and they are going to cover it under warranty, at least I think so at this point...

I will let y'all know the result.

Thanks again, very much, for all the help. Amarillo

07-08-08, 05:38 AM	#1
Amarillo Palmira BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 34	Trailer Brakes Smoking Hey Guys, As I was going to my fishing spot on Sunday (about 45 minutes from the house), I noticed a little smoke coming from one of my wheels. I pulled over and took a look. Didn't seem hot so I drove the rest of the way (about 5 more minutes) to the ramp. Everything seemed fine on the way home. So, what do I do now? The trailer is a 2007 tandem axle Stratos Trail. The brakes are surge brakes. I plan to check the "actuator" (at least I think that's what is called) to make sure its not stuck and take all the bearings apart and repack everything. Also, take a look at the calipers and rotors and all that. Beyond that, not sure what else I can do. Any suggestions? Thanks! Amarillo Palmira

07-08-08, 11:11 AM	#2
Captmikestarrett BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accokeek MD Posts: 3,315	Disk or drum ? Single brake or double? I have trailered so many years and I have a routine at every stop / fillup / lunch break. Now that I am older pee break too. I get out and walk around both sides of trailer and put my hand close to center of wheel to feel heat. Smell the air for burning and never ever touch the hub.. Burnt the skin right off my fingertips just once to learn that lesson. I will help if I can. Capt Mike __________________ Capt Mike Starrett light tackle guide Potomac River http://www.indianheadcharters.com

07-08-08, 03:55 PM	#4
flfireman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Palm Bay, Fl Posts: 2,751	If it was just a one time thing. You may have just got something hung up or picked up some debris or fluid. Did it feel as if you were dragging? Or it was going bad and something finally gave way, the smoke was the end result of it. __________________ In the Lord all things are possible.

07-08-08, 10:13 PM	#6
Jackl BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Great Bend, KS Posts: 2,960	PALMIRA, Check the brake shoe actuators and make surer they are not locked up from rust. ROLCO trailers are bad about that problem, I am not familiar with STRATOS trailers. Do they have brake shoes and brake drums like ROLCO, or do they have disc brakes and pads? A friend of mine has a ROLCO trailer with drums and shoes that was giving him that type of problem. We tore the hubs down and sand blasted every part inside the hubs, greased with waterproof grease and they worked fine for a couple years, then we overhauled and sand blasted them again, no problems! JackL __________________ There are two theories about argueing with women...........Neither one works!

07-08-08, 01:06 PM	#3
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	I read a good tip recently that said if you get an infrared temp gun and keep it in your glove box then when you get out shoot it at your hubs and develop a baseline temp. Then on all future trips you can compare the temps to see if a problem is developing. I fished with a guy a few weeks ago who had a bearing seize when he was trailering after leaving the Detroit River in a pretty bad area. Luckily he got it fixed without incident, but I wouldn't want that to happen to me. Edit: By checking the "actuator" are you talking about the little lever thing that resets the brakes if the safety cable gets pulled on? If not I would check that.

07-08-08, 04:51 PM	#5
lowrider BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 937	what type of smell did the smoke have? the diff between brake pads and oil/grease from a hub should tell you pretty quick.

07-10-08, 08:27 PM	#7
Amarillo Palmira BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 34	Thanks everybody for all the tips. Its a tandem axle trailer with single axle disc brakes. I launch in brackish rivers and after reading all your tips, I suspect its a rust problem. I called Stratos and they are going to cover it under warranty, at least I think so at this point... I will let y'all know the result. Thanks again, very much, for all the help. Amarillo

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