Trailer brake issue

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by RedRover, Aug 26, 2020.

  1. Aug 26, 2020 #1
    RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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    Random oddity taking place I don't know how to troubleshoot... Picked up a new trailer and pretripped it. Brand new trailer. About 100 miles loaded down the road my brakes were smoking. Flat land, no traffic. 100 highway miles. Stopped and let them cool down with the trailer brake released.

    Made my delivery and headed back to the yard. Same thing happened 3 more times. Reported a brake issue to the shop. Brakes on a new trailer were toast. New trailer maybe some issues. No big deal. Grab another trailer. 20 miles away, same issue on another trailer, this one with 50k miles on it.

    What would cause my brakes to engage only on my trailer and only just enough to cause the slight squealing noise that air brakes make when a big rig is releasing or slightly engaging their brakes to slow down... Constantly. Even at highway speeds? Peterbilt says it may be the trailer protection valve or something. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.
     
    RedRover, Aug 26, 2020
    RedRover, Aug 26, 2020
    #1
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  3. Aug 26, 2020 #2
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Left the spike on slightly?
     
    AModelCat, Aug 26, 2020
    AModelCat, Aug 26, 2020
    #2
  4. Aug 27, 2020 #3
    WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    They always suspect the tractor protection valve.
    Squealing noise. Water in the air system? Try draining?
    In order for your trailer spring brakes (parking brakes) to engage properly. You need good air to them. Often times, they won't respond properly if you do not have the air fully charged (not just good air). I mean fully charged. Then dump the air. They should engage properly.
    I imagine the releasing of them could have something to do with air supply? Water in system?
     
    WesternPlains, Aug 27, 2020
    WesternPlains, Aug 27, 2020
    #3
  5. Aug 27, 2020 #4
    daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    Drums or disks?
     
    daf105paccar, Aug 27, 2020
    daf105paccar, Aug 27, 2020
    #4
  7. Aug 27, 2020 #5
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I have picked up new trailers and the brakes smoke because brand new brake shoes against brand new drums ....rubbing a little
     
    Allow Me., Aug 27, 2020
    Allow Me., Aug 27, 2020
    #5
  8. Aug 27, 2020 #6
    Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    If you had two different trailers do the same thing, it would be a good guess that it may be in the tractor.
    There are a few things that could be going on.
    Treadle valve. It has two valves, if one is leaking, it could be feeding the trailer.
    If you have a trailer brake lever in the tractor, it could be leaking.
    The tractor protection valves could be failing.
    Additional components that could also cause problems(rare) the front and rear proportioning valves and the spring brake valve.
     
    Espressolane, Aug 27, 2020
    Espressolane, Aug 27, 2020
    #6
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