This may seem that I am a cheap bast*rd but the trailer I am asking for some perspective on is a trailer that isn't mine. And given I've just resurrected myself from living through a Chapter 11 employer, I'm still on the financial mend so that is in play as well.
Patient in question is a 24' enclosed double axle trailer, probably has 5200# leaf'd (not torsion) axles under it. Riding mate and I use it to haul 6+ off-road Enduro machines to desolate destinations for much needed off-road tomfoolery. All four drum brakes function but have absolutely no braking power. With my controller maxed out, in drive at idle, the trailer brakes will not hold the truck at a standstill on a level surface. I've lifted and tested all four wheels on the trailer and determined in fact they are all functioning, they just have no stopping power. Pulling rig is a 2015 2500 CCSB Duramax with a brand new trailer brake module in it due to a recent total failure which I hear is not all that uncommon.
My controller is fully functional on my electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes on my 5'ver RV - it'll lock those brakes up if desired as well as with one other trailer I've tested, so I am fairly confident I've isolated the issue to this particular trailer. The drum surface the brake assy magnet makes contact with is grooved and I am thinking why not just find a lathe and have the surface turned smooth so the magnet will have a full contact patch for maximum friction? I'm thinking this is actually the issue. I don't know if the magnets can get weak and maybe in fact, the grooving isn't the issue, it's the strength of the magnet that is the issue, but I don't know if this is a possibility? Assuming its the grooving and assuming I can find a machine shop that has a large enough lathe that the chuck can hold the drum, my thinking is simply resurfacing the contact patch in the drum and see if that resolves the issue. The drums are otherwise in perfect shape at the brake shoe contact surface. No glazing, no grooves so other than the magnet contact patch, no issues with the drum.
The round trip cost to buy every part is roughly $1200 and the labor $400+ to simply replace everything - drums, bearings, seal, brake shoe assy's, etc.. I can do the labor no problem other than finding the time. I could also just buy new drums and I've also given thought to just buying full new axle assy's.
Anyone have a suggestion or life hack idea I haven't mention above? Anyone with experience on the magnets or otherwise will know more than I do - this is my first trailer brakes diagnosis challenge. I've called several shops and they all seem to immediately jump to replace it all because we are a throw-it-away society now. So that's why I am here because I know we've got a lot of knowledge here. I've benefitted from it greatly, particularly from one "Horned" member.
Any pointers are very welcome and appreciated!!
Thanks!
Patient in question is a 24' enclosed double axle trailer, probably has 5200# leaf'd (not torsion) axles under it. Riding mate and I use it to haul 6+ off-road Enduro machines to desolate destinations for much needed off-road tomfoolery. All four drum brakes function but have absolutely no braking power. With my controller maxed out, in drive at idle, the trailer brakes will not hold the truck at a standstill on a level surface. I've lifted and tested all four wheels on the trailer and determined in fact they are all functioning, they just have no stopping power. Pulling rig is a 2015 2500 CCSB Duramax with a brand new trailer brake module in it due to a recent total failure which I hear is not all that uncommon.
My controller is fully functional on my electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes on my 5'ver RV - it'll lock those brakes up if desired as well as with one other trailer I've tested, so I am fairly confident I've isolated the issue to this particular trailer. The drum surface the brake assy magnet makes contact with is grooved and I am thinking why not just find a lathe and have the surface turned smooth so the magnet will have a full contact patch for maximum friction? I'm thinking this is actually the issue. I don't know if the magnets can get weak and maybe in fact, the grooving isn't the issue, it's the strength of the magnet that is the issue, but I don't know if this is a possibility? Assuming its the grooving and assuming I can find a machine shop that has a large enough lathe that the chuck can hold the drum, my thinking is simply resurfacing the contact patch in the drum and see if that resolves the issue. The drums are otherwise in perfect shape at the brake shoe contact surface. No glazing, no grooves so other than the magnet contact patch, no issues with the drum.
The round trip cost to buy every part is roughly $1200 and the labor $400+ to simply replace everything - drums, bearings, seal, brake shoe assy's, etc.. I can do the labor no problem other than finding the time. I could also just buy new drums and I've also given thought to just buying full new axle assy's.
Anyone have a suggestion or life hack idea I haven't mention above? Anyone with experience on the magnets or otherwise will know more than I do - this is my first trailer brakes diagnosis challenge. I've called several shops and they all seem to immediately jump to replace it all because we are a throw-it-away society now. So that's why I am here because I know we've got a lot of knowledge here. I've benefitted from it greatly, particularly from one "Horned" member.
Any pointers are very welcome and appreciated!!
Thanks!