Could your rear axle brakes be wired to the back up light circuit?
Another possibility, however remote, would be if the rear axle backing plates are reversed, that is, the left backing plate is on the right side of the trailer, etc.
I would suggest you remove the hub and drums on the rear axle and check it out visually.
On the other hand, your trailer is in the year group that has many failures. If you axles are bad, then they must be replaced, which would also cure you problem in backing.
Does anyone have experience or knowledge of issues that would cause the rear wheels to creek and shake, but only while backing?
If you are backing up a hill, could the brake controller think you are decellerating and applying the trailer brakes?
I used to back my 26' 1963 Overlander up a small hill at my deer camp. I would spin the tires in the gravel. When I first brought my 1991 34' Excella to camp, for some reason I unhooked the cable. That huge trailer just rolled up the hill with no problem what so ever.
I think that since the truck was pointing down hill, the pendulem in the brake controller swung forward, simulating decellaration and applying the trailer brakes. Maybe this is your problem?
It isn't the wiring. I can hear the brakes when the controller is applied, and am not hearing it during backing. All other wiring works correctly. The back axle (one with shake) is the one with both wheels locking up when brakes are applied - front axle is currently a different story which must be addressed. I assume it is a bad deal to apply a brake to one wheel and not the other on the same axle. We have disconnected the wiring harness between the suburban and the trailer and the creek still happens.
The trailer was parked for 14 years, and bearings, tires, and shocks need to be replaced for sure. The only movement of the A/S is in the driveway - which can be temporarily kept at a minimum. The torsion arms are near zero - so I know I will be needing axles soon. I am just not sure I am ready for the expense and/or added major project.
I am working on a stubborn tub faucet (stuck open) at the moment as my #1 priority - long story. If I can get the plumbing to a steady state, I will move to the running gear and/or resealing windows, depending on weather and potential need to take the trailer somewhere.
__________________ Mark
72 Sovereign: L couch, mid-twin, rear-bath
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it"
"It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much."
"If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else." - Yogi Berra
1974 and older trailer axles had rubber rods that unfortunately deteriorated, in time.
1975 and up is OK.
However, if "ANY" Airstream trailer made since 1961, has been parked for an extended period of time, "WITH ALL THE WEIGHT" on the axles, then those can fail as well.
The nature of rubber is that is must be excercised once in a while. If the trailer has been parked for years, then it is wise to check the axles.
That can easily be done by going to our web site inlandrv.com
click on articles and then go to the Duratorque axle article.
Quick Links
Linear Mode
