Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-18-2008, 05:29 PM   #1
Whitefawn
 
whitefawn's Avatar
 
1978 Argosy 24
Scottsville , Virginia
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 98
Question Older style trailer brakes lock up in reverse

Help! My husband and I just purchased a 1971 Overlander and as soon as we pulled it out of its storage location and headed home, we developed brake problems. When we put our truck in reverese to back the trailer up, the trailer brakes lock up. The bottom line- we cannot back up. We looked at the brakes and they APPEAR to be ok- ie no loose parts, rust or wear, although the trailer hads been sitting for a year and a half. Has anyone ever encountered this and/or has a possible solution? We removed the wheels and all 4 wheels spin freely in forward and reverse when the trailer is jacked up. (If we end up having to throw money at the problem, we might as well upgrade to disc brakes (?). I see many threads on that subject I will read up on...)
whitefawn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 05:34 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
eubank's Avatar

 
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms , New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
Wellllll, I'm going on the basis of the (interesting) brakes on my old tractor, but when this happens (lock up on reverse), it's because the return springs aren't causing the shoes to back away from the drum when you release the brakes. Could be corrosion, dirt, weak springs.

But, then, not everybody has 60 year old tractor brakes.


Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
eubank is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 05:42 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
richinny's Avatar
 
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY , / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
are the reverse lights wired to the electric brakes?

are they surge brakes that get activated when backing up?
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
richinny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 06:11 PM   #4
4 Rivet Member
 
KeithC's Avatar
 
1994 34' Excella
1978 31' Sovereign
Mansfield , Georgia
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 275
Hi Whitefawn,

I have a 1968 24' Airstream Tradewind that we purchased from a family friend. When I first purchased the Airstream I took my tow vehicle to a nearby highend horse trailer dealer to have the braking system device and lighting systems connector installed.

I had the exact same problem as you are experiencing. I later found out the tech. had wired the tow vehicle backup lights to activate the Airstream's electric brakes.

When I tried to back into a camping space my trailer brakes locked up and I could not move.

As a quick fix, I disconnected the wiring plug from the tow vehicle. I stress that this is a quick fix because I learned that I had been towing the Airstream without trailer brakes because of the mis-wiring. That is not good.

As soon as I returned home I downloaded the proper wiring diagram from this site and fixed the problem myself.

I think richinny gave you some sage advise, check to see if the reverse lights were mis-wired to the trailer brakes.

It's a cheap fix, but a must fix as soon as possible. Towing a trailer without trailer brakes is bad news waiting to happen.

If you need more help private message me, I would be happy to help in any way I can.
KeithC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 06:16 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
AirsDream's Avatar
 
1999 23' Safari
Perrysburg , Ann Arbor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 916
Almost certainly the backup light feed is mis-connected to the brake power feed. The easy way to check is to just pull the plug on the trailer electric connector and try backing up.

But as KeithC notes, IF that works, it means you've got no trailer brakes going forward ... a scary proposition at best.

Let us know how this work out. Inquiring minds want to know.
AirsDream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 06:25 PM   #6
Whitefawn
 
whitefawn's Avatar
 
1978 Argosy 24
Scottsville , Virginia
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 98
Smile brakes lock in reverse

Thanks sooo much. After I posted my dilemna, I found a thread addressing the problem which (for some reason) I could not find when I searched the topic pre-post. I ran outside and had my husband disconnect the Prodigy brake controller and voila we have reverse. My husband worked much harder last night searching for a solution, removing wheels, etc, until 2am trying to get us home safely. So it is a blessed relief to get a solution here on the Forum, and to be able to back the trailer into its new home. Now he can trace the wires and hook up the brake controller properly at his leisure. I am so happy we are new members of the Airstream family, and to have found this forum!
whitefawn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 06:37 PM   #7
Rivet Master
 
AirsDream's Avatar
 
1999 23' Safari
Perrysburg , Ann Arbor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 916
Good for you!!!

And good luck with your new treasure. But just think: you towed her home with no brakes. And survived! Yikes!

Glad it went o.k. Hope to hear from you more on the Forums, and to see you on the road.
AirsDream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 06:37 PM   #8
3 Rivet Member
 
1973 25' Tradewind
Romulus , New York
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 139
Same thing happened to me when I wired my new to me umbilical to the new standard flat 7 pin on the the burb. With the help of this forum I found out the wiring diagram on the new flat pin on the TV side was wrong. I plugged it in and the brakes locked up in reverse. Switched the wires and all was good. One good thing ---I found out how well the brakes work! As you will see color to color is NOT the way to go!
jayray5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 06:57 PM   #9
Liberator
 
klattu's Avatar
 
1972 Argosy 24
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Heart of Dixie , Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,659
Images: 834
Most controllers have an additional hookup that de-activates brakes when in reverse. (back up lights)
That way you can still override by hand control if brakes are needed while backing up.
__________________
Your opinion is valued, please not your opinion of someones else's opinion.
Click To See Me Wet
1989 Airstream 345 Liberator...
1972 Argosy 24'...
1954 Feathercraft Vagabond
klattu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 07:08 PM   #10
Whitefawn
 
whitefawn's Avatar
 
1978 Argosy 24
Scottsville , Virginia
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 98
Yes, we drove 500+ miles home with no trailer brakes, but luckily we had new brakes and tires on our Ford F250. Where can I find the wiring diagram that is mentioned here for older AS for the brake controller?

Kathy
Whitefawn
whitefawn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 07:08 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Excella CM's Avatar
 
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice , California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
The number one rule in trouble shooting: When you hear hoofbeats, don't think of a zebra (unless you are in Africa)!
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi

'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
Excella CM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2008, 07:35 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
easyride's Avatar
 
1977 27' Overlander
1973 27' Overlander
1963 19' Globetrotter
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,259
Images: 1
I Recently Bought A New 7 Way Pig Tail And Junction Box To Wire My Spartanette,i Thought I Had Everything Figured Out,even Had A Wiring Diagram. Nothing Worked Right,it Ended Up Being The Pig Tail Was Miscolor Coded,my Tail Lights Were Even On The #10 Wire,another Great Ebay Deal.hope You Can Get Your Brakes Figured Out. Dave
easyride is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2012, 12:36 AM   #13
1 Rivet Member
 
El Foca's Avatar
 
1970 21' Globetrotter
Huntington Beach , California
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 5
Images: 5
I have a 1970 Land Yacht Globetrotter 21'. I am having the same problem with going into reverse and the brakes lock up. Does anyone have the "correct" diagram, from what i have found my seems right.
El Foca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2012, 09:06 AM   #14
Rivet Master
 
easyride's Avatar
 
1977 27' Overlander
1973 27' Overlander
1963 19' Globetrotter
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,259
Images: 1
back up lights

It appears your backup lights are tied into your brakes,your back-up is yellow,your brakes are blue.
For a good wiring diagram google [7 pin wiring diagram] it will show you what is what if your pigtail is color coded correctly.
Dave
easyride is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2012, 11:41 PM   #15
1 Rivet Member
 
El Foca's Avatar
 
1970 21' Globetrotter
Huntington Beach , California
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 5
Images: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by easyride View Post
It appears your backup lights are tied into your brakes,your back-up is yellow,your brakes are blue.
For a good wiring diagram google [7 pin wiring diagram] it will show you what is what if your pigtail is color coded correctly.
Dave


Dave-
Thanks... I will try again this week...
El Foca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2012, 06:37 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
TG Twinkie's Avatar
 
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill , Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
Images: 2
Blog Entries: 5
Chances are real good that the wire colors in your trailer won't match the colors on a modern 7 pin connector.
Typically the wire colors are:
Green= Tail/marker
Red= Left Turn
Brown= Right Turn
White= Common/ground
Backup= ??? Could be black, but a small gage wire
The remaining 2 wires are:
The charge line and the actual brake wires. Typically these are larger gage wires. #10
If you use a battery charger. You can ID each of the circuits by connecting the black lead on the charger to a clean spot on the chassis. Then use the red lead and touch each of the wires on the UCord and note what it is.
TG Twinkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Brakes locking up in reverse GreatPumpkin Brakes & Brake Controllers 16 08-02-2012 01:30 PM
Older Style K-H Brake Controller Rodger with a D Brakes & Brake Controllers 1 07-02-2007 09:04 PM
Capacitors on Older Electric Brakes Navigator Brakes & Brake Controllers 6 11-25-2003 01:39 AM
Trailer brakes won't lock-up? John Brakes & Brake Controllers 24 02-06-2003 12:22 PM
deadbolt with inside twist style lock CindyH Doors & Locks 4 10-16-2002 08:58 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:59 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.