Hub Temperature Question

[Dan P-TNT]

I recently added 10" brakes to my TD. I noticed the temp on both hubs were around 180 deg when I stopped to get gas. I disconnected the brake wiring and continued down the road and rechecked after several miles. The temps came down to about 95-100 on both hubs, so I know its not too much brake drag within the wheel assembly itself. I'm new to towing a trailer and not sure if this is normal. Do the brakes have to "break in" and does this seem like an excessive temp?

 

[PhilipE-SKO]

Your using electric brakes. If you have any circuits that are not properly ground. That stray electric will find a path to ground. If the electric brakes are the path it finds. The brakes will be applied. Do a very deep check on the tow vehicle and trailer for ground problems.

 

[Tony Latham]

I feel my hubs each time I stop for gas or we take a break. On this last trip, the weather was in the fifties and the hubs felt cold. And yes, I have breaks.

Something's not right.

Tony

 

[Dan P-TNT]

Ok. Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Investigating I will go.

 

[Capebuild]

During my recent travels I lost my brake's connection to my tow vehicle and have been in the midst of trying to figure out what's causing the issue. As a result I've been reading up on brakes. One thing I discovered is that brakes need to be adjusted.... after the first 200 miles of travel and again every 3000 miles. Something I didn't know. I read your post and thought that perhaps your brake shoes are dragging on your hubs enough to generate the heat you describe.... and need to be backed off a bit.... if you're using electro magnetic brakes. Something maybe to investigate.

John

 

[Dan P-TNT]

Thanks for all the replies. I verified the brakes were not dragging when the brake wires were disconnected; so I know they're not adjusted too tight. It turned out to be my brake controller calibration. For some reason it would not play well with other electronics. As Philip suggested, I removed other wiring tied into the ground (amazon brake light/reverse light bar i added to my trailer in this case). After I disconnected the light bar and reset the brake controller, everything calibrated just fine. Hubs are a nice temp now (<90 F). Lesson learned - be careful with the quality of items you install on your camper.
Thanks for all of your help!

 

[PhilipE-SKO]

At least you noticed the problem before it burnt off the brakes.