Troubleshooting Hot Wheels Only On One Side Of The Trailer

Question:

I have a triple axle toy hauler. Currently all three wheels in the right side are getting hot. The left is fine. How it started ….I Had a magnet sticking on the left side with one wheel getting Hot and replaced the brake pack. Bearing were good. Then it happened again on the same side with another wheel so I replace the brake pack on that wheel too with no bearing issue. Later on the next trip that whole left side was hot and the right was good. . Then on this last trip the right side started getting hot and the left was good, so I turned the gain completely off- zero! I drove it for 75 or so miles and when I got home the right side was still hot as it was with the gain on??? I am tho a short somewhere?? What’s your thoughts? Thanks

asked by: Gary S

Expert Reply:

Hey Gary,

I would start by inspecting the wiring for any shorts or loose connections. From there I would check the brake assemblies to see if they are just over-adjusted. Is it hard to spin the hub with the wheel off? How does the tread pattern look on the wheels?

expert reply by: Kevin C

Gary

8/6/2024

Tread wear is the same all the way around. Wheels all spin easy when jacked off the ground. My trailer guy said he doubted it was a short since not fault message came through my 22 Chevy 3500. He thinks I need to adjust all the brakes evenly and then go from there.

Kevin C.

8/6/2024

@Gary If the brake controller were faulty you would see both sides getting hot. It's with you replacing the left side and it not having any issues that would also sort of rule out the brake controller. The brake shoes are likely over-adjusted but typically the wheels won't want to spin easily. It's unlikely that you have an issue with the each assembly on the right side unless maybe they all are tied to a bad grounding spot. Checking both the wiring and shoe adjustment should find the problem.