Brakes Locking up on one axle?

[Papa Rick]

This is a different trailer than the one I posted before. When I am loaded this does not happen, but empty the front axle will lock the brakes up other than coming to a very slow stop?????

I have had the cams rebuilt, and everything checked out with no flaws found, but no one can figure out why this is doing this. Trailer gets greased every two weeks.

Any suggestions would be greatly apprecaited.

Forgot to mention this is on a Log Trailer.

[heavyhaulerss]

have you checked the slack adusters ? is there grease on the brake shoes or drum ?

[sidman82]

Make sure the height on the tires on each axle are the same. If one axle has alot more tread, then the ones with less tread with skim the ground and lock up. Not enough down pressure to keep them rolling. This would also explain the not locking up while loaded. Tag axles always get hammered this way.

[allan5oh]

Sounds like you'll need to pull apart that wheel. It's possible a roller fell out, or maybe they didn't put together the camshaft assembly correctly.

[Papa Rick]

Had a Mechanic check it out and he replaced the valve on the trailer, and said it was doing fine after that. I have not pulled it yet, but will let you know.

Thanks for the great advice.

[Papa Rick]

Pulled the Trailer today, still locking up, and no one I have talked to has any clue as to why it is doing this.

It has manual slack adjusters, thinking about backing off the front axle 1/2 turn more than back axle and see if this helps any.

[allan5oh]

How much are the pushrods coming out for each during an application?

[Blind Driver]

What is the condition of the air lines? Maybe the one to the rear axle is kinked or has collapsed internally. They are cheap and easy to replace.

Are the tires sizes all the same?